NP Spotlight – Chandra Hawkins

Chandra Hawkins MN NP
Perinatal Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Background
I have been in healthcare since 2010, when I completed by BN with Brandon University. As an RN, I worked primarily in women’s health on high risk labour & delivery, but also held other roles in women’s health clinics. I graduated from U of M in 2015 with a masters’ of nursing, NP stream, and have worked in a variety of areas since then, including: walk-in, ER, and primary care. Since 2019 I have been in a specialized position working in perinatal mental health.

Workplace
Currently I am one of 2 NPs who work at women’s hospital (Health Sciences Centre) at Green Leaf Clinic. We work with patients experiencing mental health challenges during the perinatal period, that is; during pregnancy and up to a year following birth. Our role involves completing a thorough mental health assessment upon intake to our program, making diagnoses, and prescribing and managing medication related to these diagnoses. We also provide support, reassurance, make referrals to other programs when necessary, and do a small amount of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as part of our role.

Daily Responsibilities
Many of our patients choose to been seen virtually or over the phone for ease of service. Others choose to come in person. After initial intake assessment, I monitor symptoms to gauge if they are improving, staying the same, or worsening. I educate parents thoroughly on the use of mental health medications in the perinatal period. I make recommendations based on individual patient circumstances, and patients are actively involved in choosing their treatment plan. I monitor patients’ responses to medication: side effects? Symptom improvement? Symptom worsening? Treatment goals? Time between patient follow-ups varies from 1 week to even up to 8 weeks depending on what is best for the patient. If needed, I collaborate with clinical psychology, psychiatry, and social work. I try to treat the patient as a whole and ensure they are meeting their basic needs (ie. sleep and nutrition). Many patients struggle to see how meeting their own needs first is necessary to care for a child, and how having their child grow up seeing them engage in self-care, as well as seeing their parent meet their own basic needs, is so important. I do a lot of education around this topic.

Fulfillment in the Role
I get great fulfillment from supporting patients during this period of their lives. Our role is uniquely positioned to offer regular and up to hour long appointments for patients, specific to their mental health during the perinatal period. I believe this is hugely beneficial to our patient population. I enjoy having the ability to take the time to work with patients and hopefully to make a positive difference in their lives.

Vision for the NP Role in Manitoba
I believe that nurse practitioners are a good solution to the primary care provider crisis in Manitoba, and that we can also assist in improving wait times to specialist care. Over the years, NPAM has been instrumental in expanding the NP scope of practice in Manitoba and now Manitoba NPs have one of the largest scopes in Canada. I believe that the ability to bill MB health for health care visits would aid in further expanding the NP role in MB. I am happy to sit as chair of NPAM as we continue to support NPs, navigate system issues, work with government and key stakeholders, and further advance the role.

Advice to Aspiring NPs
My best advice would be to join NPAM as they are the biggest NP voice in the province. As NPs for NPs, NPAM is positioned to support NPs in issues that are unique to the NP profession. Furthermore, the autonomous role of an NP takes some getting used to after RN practice. Prepare yourself for a learning curve and look for an employer who is supportive of NPs and their unique challenges.