National Nursing Week

10 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022 NATIONAL NURSING WEEK MAY 9-15, 2022 #WeAnsWerTheCAll BY BLAINE KRAUSHAAR I ncorporating mental wellness supports into the development of care plans for personal care home residents in Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) has been a significant focus throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These supports are thanks to a specialized group of mental health resource nurses (MHRNs) whose expertise in psychiatric and mental health services for long-term care residents, including those with cognitive disorders, has made a marked difference to the isolation experienced by residents during periods of visitor restrictions and limits placed on group activities and interactions. The team, made up of 15 nurses distributed throughout the region, works under the leadership of Christine Miner, manager of mental health for PMH. "The team has stepped up in so many ways, supporting residents during isolation and offering assistance to staff adapting to new ways of working in the pandemic," says Miner, who is also a registered psychiatric nurse. "In many cases, they have also stepped into direct care roles to assist when their help was needed." Michelle Janz, MHRN client care co-ordinator, says mental wellness supports not only limited the feelings of social isolation and the disruption of routines for residents, they also kept families informed and connected to their loved ones. "Ensuring residents were able to connect with family was an important part of efforts to help ease feelings of isolation," Janz says. "We were also often a reassuring voice for families, assisting with daily calls to provide updates on the residents' condition, particularly important when visitation was limited or the site was in an outbreak." Outbreaks were a very real event during the pandemic's various waves, making the efforts of the MHRNs both welcome and extremely impactful. "Every single MHRN's site has declared an outbreak over the past two years," Janz says. "During those events, maintaining connections was really important. Something as small as a visit, interaction and smile — despite the masks — meant so much to residents and the team." For residents, particularly those with cognitive disorders, an outbreak — and changes required to manage it — created significant confusion, adds MHRN team member John Cail. "Validation of that confusion and empathy for a resident struggling to understand it are key elements of PLAY PIVOTAL ROLE IN COVID CARE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE NURSES IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL NURSING WEEK, the CLPNM would like to recognize the dedication and contribution LPNs make 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. vanc Heather Stefanson Premier of Manitoba Audrey Gordon Minister of Health NURSING WEEK Thank you to all our nurses who are the backbone of health care for Manitoba patients! National Ensuring residents were able to connect with family was an important part of efforts to help ease feelings of isolation." " John Cail MHRN team member Michelle Janz MHRN client care co-ordinator "The team has stepped up in so many ways, supporting residents during isolation and offering assistance to staff adapting to new ways of working in the pandemic." " Continued on page 11 >> Nurses, you are at the heart of our Hospital. Thank you. 150 years of compassionate care August 1927 stbhf.ca Our community of caring at St. Boniface Hospital is grateful to health-care workers on the front lines, for the patient care you provide. On behalf of Foundation donors: thank you so much. 196 Provencher Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R2H 0G3 Project Name: Nurses Week - 1/8 p h Proof: Final Print Size: 6.875 X 4.5 Colour: CMYK Publication: WFP Run Date: May stbhf.ca Operating Room nurse Jeanelle Ramos.

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