National Nursing Week

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021 11 IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL NURSING WEEK, the CLPNM would like to recognize LPNs for their perseverance over the past year, in the face of extraordinary challenging circumstances, and for their unwavering dedication and contribution to the health and wellness of all Manitobans. The CLPNM is the regulatory body that governs the practice of student practical nurses, graduate practical nurses, and licensed practical nurses in Manitoba. cna-aiic.ca Your leadership makes a difference every day. Share your story @ canadanurses #VoiceToLead #IND2019 & #NationalNursingWeek NATIONAL NURSING WEEK MAY 6-12, 2019 NATIONAL NURSING WEEK cna-aiic.ca MAY 10-16, 2021 A Vision For Future Healthcare #WeAnsWerTheCAll NORTHERN LIGHT SERVING HER HOME COMMUNITY REGIONAL PUBLIC-HEALTH NURSE ERIN MURPHY PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY BY TWYLA STOREY W hen COVID-19 hit northern Manitoba, Erin Murphy stepped up to lead and motivate a team of public-health nurses. Murphy is a regional public-health nurse specializing in communicable disease coordination (CDC) for the Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) in Thompson. She quickly became a voice and partner in team planning for responses in all communities within the region. This included responding to requests for assistance in some of the provincial nursing-station communities as well as First Nations and Inuit Health Branch communities. "I have the privilege of working with exceptional nurses and leadership, which makes it very easy to step up and strive for exceptional service for our communities," Murphy says. Murphy also supports her team in the frontline work of COVID testing and treatment, as well as case and contact investigation. She's known for being both an expert and educator in her field, and for having a keen eye for detail. Murphy's public-health team members say she is always willing to assist, lend a hand in practice and leads with confidence. She also sets the bar high for excellence. "Northern's public-health team continuously works together to ensure best practices are being followed," Murphy says. "I have to credit our successes to our entire team; we all take part in ensuring the care and guidance we provide follows the most up-to-date provincial public- health guidelines." Public health has always been Murphy's passion and area of choice, beginning in her senior practicum during the final year of her Bachelor of Nursing degree, through the University of Manitoba Collaborative University College of the North program in Thompson. She entered public health in 2009 as a new grad, travelling to the NRHA's Bay Line communities, where she provided postpartum, child health, CDC, immunization and health-promotion services. She has maintained certification in community health nursing and international certification in lactation consulting since 2014. Murphy made the shift to general public health CDC in 2018. Born and raised in Thompson, she chose to remain in her home community to provide care for those living in the North. Her passion and commitment to her community is evident in everything she does. Murphy is a mother to two children and a partner to her husband, Daryl. Outside of work she can often be seen at the local ice rink, watching her children play hockey and volunteering for tournaments. She also enjoys fishing, camping and travelling with her family in their free time. "The North has always been my home," she says. "It is an honour to provide optimal public-health services to the communities I've grown to know." Twyla Storey is a communications specialist with the Northern Regional Health Authority. REGISTERED PSYCHIATRIC NURSES The CRPNM is the regulatory body for the psychiatric nursing profession in Manitoba crpnm.mb.ca Professionally educated to help Manitobans achieve the highest possible level of mental health. Their contributions to our community are vital, and often surprising and unique.

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