portrait de Megan Coles

Megan Coles

Pediatric Nurse

Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre

Created On: December 30, 2022
Sector:
Healthcare
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Biology,  Anatomy,  Chemistry,  Health,  Science
Readability:
8.9

Learn About My Career

I care for the inpatients admitted to the medical-surgical units at my local children's hospital.

I was born/grew up in: Conception Bay South, NL

I now live in: Conception Bay South, NL

I completed my training/education at: Memorial University of Newfoundland - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

I am a Paediatric and Neonatal Registered Nurse. I work on the float team between the Medicine and Surgical Units as well as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I begin my day by completing safety checks on my patients, followed by rounds. Rounds are a way to share important information about the patient’s medical condition with other members of the healthcare team. During rounds we review the patient’s progress and make plans accordingly.  I then complete morning assessments, administer morning medications, and assist with morning care.

Throughout the day, I provide treatments and medications as directed by the physicians. I complete documentation and collaborate with various healthcare professionals. I also advocate for my patients and provide family centred care. At work, I use critical thinking skills when providing care to my patients. I also often use math when calculating medication dosages, IV fluid rates, and more.

In high school, I completed a program called MedQuest. This is a local program offered by Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine. During a week-long period, high school students learn about the various health care careers available. During that week, I knew that I wanted to go into nursing. I applied and was accepted directly from high school into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at MUN. I completed my degree during the pandemic, which was challenging to stay the least. However, I am grateful to now be working as a new registered nurse at my dream job.

I enjoy that each shift as a peadiatric nurse is different. My patient assignment varies from one shift to the next. This means I am exposed to many diagnoses, treatments and care plans. This excites me because I am always challenged at work and able to use many of my nursing and critical thinking skills each day.

My career is very rewarding and fulfilling. Each day, I make a difference in the lives of children and their families as I assist them in recovering from an illness or injury. It is satisfying to know that my actions have a direct, positive impact on a child's quality of life.

Outside of work, I do a lot of volunteering. I volunteer with St. John Ambulance as an Advanced Medical First Responder. I am also a student officer with the Canadian Association of Paediatric Nurses. I am also a local campaign advisor with Shinerama, a national fundraising program to raise money for Cystic Fibrosus research. In my free time, I like to do Pilates, bake and read.

I would encourage them to try to gain exposure to the healthcare field and believe in themselves!

What I do at work

I am a Paediatric and Neonatal Registered Nurse. I work on the float team between the Medicine and Surgical Units as well as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I begin my day by completing safety checks on my patients, followed by rounds. Rounds are a way to share important information about the patient’s medical condition with other members of the healthcare team. During rounds we review the patient’s progress and make plans accordingly.  I then complete morning assessments, administer morning medications, and assist with morning care.

Throughout the day, I provide treatments and medications as directed by the physicians. I complete documentation and collaborate with various healthcare professionals. I also advocate for my patients and provide family centred care. At work, I use critical thinking skills when providing care to my patients. I also often use math when calculating medication dosages, IV fluid rates, and more.

My career path is

In high school, I completed a program called MedQuest. This is a local program offered by Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine. During a week-long period, high school students learn about the various health care careers available. During that week, I knew that I wanted to go into nursing. I applied and was accepted directly from high school into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at MUN. I completed my degree during the pandemic, which was challenging to stay the least. However, I am grateful to now be working as a new registered nurse at my dream job.

I am motivated by

I enjoy that each shift as a peadiatric nurse is different. My patient assignment varies from one shift to the next. This means I am exposed to many diagnoses, treatments and care plans. This excites me because I am always challenged at work and able to use many of my nursing and critical thinking skills each day.

How I affect peoples’ lives

My career is very rewarding and fulfilling. Each day, I make a difference in the lives of children and their families as I assist them in recovering from an illness or injury. It is satisfying to know that my actions have a direct, positive impact on a child's quality of life.

Outside of work I

Outside of work, I do a lot of volunteering. I volunteer with St. John Ambulance as an Advanced Medical First Responder. I am also a student officer with the Canadian Association of Paediatric Nurses. I am also a local campaign advisor with Shinerama, a national fundraising program to raise money for Cystic Fibrosus research. In my free time, I like to do Pilates, bake and read.

My advice to others

I would encourage them to try to gain exposure to the healthcare field and believe in themselves!

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Science

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Liked helping people
  • Was motivated by success
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Liked reading
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades

Related Topics

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Health Careers 11 Health Careers 12 Medicine Nursing Public Health

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen