My name is Jillian Bonaparte. I am a nurse educator and course instructor at the Elizabeth and Thomas Rankin School of Nursing.

I began my first year working at the Rankin School of Nursing in 2023 as a nurse educator. I started my journey as a course instructor in the fall of 2024. I am currently in my third semester of my postgraduate studies, Masters of Adult Education Concentration in Health program through the St FX Faculty of Adult Education (January 2024 cohort).

I graduated in May 2019 with a BSc. RN degree with Dean’s list recognition and distinction in 2019. My current areas of practice include perinatal and family health, inclusive of obstetrical and neonatal care.

Upon learning from faculty and staff mentors within the St FX community, I completed my final semester of nursing school immersed in the community health setting and at the IWK on the inpatient antepartum and post-op gynecological surgery unit.

I started my journey as a full-time registered nurse in July 2019 at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital on the Progressive Care Unit. After six months of acute med-surg practice, I started working on the Children and Women’s Health Unit in Antigonish. As beautiful as the nursing career can be, working throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as a transitioning new graduate nurse brought about many challenges. In moving forward with the help of mentors, I was given the opportunity as a nurse preceptor through the NSHA and RSoN. This brought immense joy and fostered collaboration toward continuing professional education and lifelong learning.

I currently work at both the Aberdeen Regional Hospital and St. Martha’s Regional Hospital as a casual employee. Amongst the chaos of everyday life, I try my best to remain positive, reflective, and energetic. For me, this is achieved best when taking the time to listen to music and spend time with my beloved doodle “Murph”. I also enjoy spending quality time and travelling with family and friends.

Teaching and Scholarly Research Interests

• Active CASN member, NE Research Interest, LPN-RN Bridging Programs across Canada (Fall 2024)
• CHNC association member (2022-2023)
• Dr. Agnes Calliste Academic and Cultural Centre collaboration (interest in furthering formation of student-centered allyship and therapeutic partnerships via N208 collaboration and coordination of external presentations)
• Indigenous Student Health Committee (Fall 2024 new participant, interest in continuing student-centered learning and therapeutic partnership opportunities with Treaty NS, St FX Nursing Education Specialist, through N208 teaching experience, mentorship, coordination & learning)
• MHCC Certified Mental Health First Aid Adults who Interact with Youth (Fall 2023)
• MoreOB participant/learner via CWHU (2020-2022, 2023-2024, 2024/25)
• NOEPP and POEPP participant/learner (2021-2023, full time NSHA status)
• Nurse preceptor on CWHU via RSoN and NSHA (2020-2022)