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Jenny Morgan

Community:

Membertou

School:

NSCC

Grad Year:

1999

Nursing Designation:

PN Cert.

I graduated from the NSCC Practical Nursing program in 1998/99, just a few years after the transition from CNA roles to LPNs in Nova Scotia. At the time, I wasn’t completely sure if nursing was the right path for me, but caring for others came naturally, so I decided to give it a try. Back then, I only knew of myself and one other Mi’kmaw LPN in the area, and there weren’t many Mi’kmaw LPNs in Nova Scotia at all.

I spent my nursing career in home care and was fortunate to be recruited by Membertou when they began developing their home care program. Initially, I planned to work there for a few years and then join the VON, but I truly enjoyed my job in Membertou and ended up staying for a long time. Being part of the early development of the home care program was rewarding as we tailored our policies to meet the specific needs of our community.

Working with clients from my own community was especially meaningful. Home care nursing provided a wholistic approach to care, addressing emotional, mental, and social well-being alongside physical health. It made me a confident, efficient, and resourceful practitioner, as I often worked independently and had to make critical decisions on the spot.

Jenny Morgan

I appreciated that clients were more at ease in their own homes, allowing me to see the full picture of their circumstances—something that’s not always evident in a hospital setting.

As a Mi’kmaw nurse in the community, I felt a deep trust from my clients. They depended on my knowledge and abilities, knowing I understood them as Mi’kmaw people first. I knew their history, their stories, and the systemic challenges they faced. They never had to explain themselves to me—I came with an open heart, ready to help and never to judge. I always respected that I was a guest in their home and never rushed their care, especially with Elders. It was essential to take time to go at their pace, even if that meant sitting down for tea first. These moments taught me so much, and I shared many laughs, tears, and invaluable lessons with my clients.

My nursing career spanned about 19 years, and I stopped practicing in 2018 to pursue a new career path. Those years as a nurse shaped me both professionally and personally. Today, I am back in a healthcare role at Tajikeimik, where I lead the Nuji Apoqnmuet team (Mi’kmaw Patient Helpers). We provide compassionate support to Mi’kmaw patients in hospitals.

My nursing background and experience guide my work in designing and delivering programs that promote cultural safety in the healthcare system. I am honoured to contribute to Tajikeimik’s efforts in health transformation for our people. Although I no longer practice nursing, the nurse in me is still very much alive—always thinking, planning, caring, and helping, just in a different way.