A SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS | SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023 | VIEW ONLINE AT winnipegfreepress.com/lifestyles
NATIONAL NURSING WEEK MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
We appreciate you! To all the nurses in Manitoba, thank you for taking care of others. Now let us take care of you.
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SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023
● THE FREE PRESS
NATIONAL NURSING WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
Loreley Fehr
Ken Borce
Tracy Thiele
OUR NURSES ARE OUR FUTURE
BY JENNIFER MCFEE N urses play pivotal roles throughout a patient’s health-care journey — and now is the time to celebrate their contributions. Around the globe, nurses are honoured each year during the week of May 12, coinciding with the birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale. This year, National Nursing Week runs from Monday, May 8 to Sunday, May 14. To showcase the many roles nurses encompass, the Canadian Nurses Association developed this year’s theme “Our Nurses. Our Future.” It’s worth taking the time to thank our nurses for the significant role they play in our past, present and future! COLLEGE OF REGISTERED NURSES OF MANITOBA Registered nurses (RNs) are regulated health- care professionals who provide nursing care to individuals, families, communities and groups at all stages of life and health. They assess, diagnose, plan and evaluate nursing care in inter- professional teams in a variety of settings. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education at the master’s level, which provides them with knowledge and skill to manage patient care as a sole practitioner or as part of a team. They must first meet all the qualifications and achieve registration as a registered nurse. Then they need to complete a master’s degree in the nurse practitioner stream and pass a national licensure exam. RNs and nurse practitioners already working in Manitoba must renew their registration annually and complete ongoing quality assurance reviews. As of Dec. 31, 2022, there were 13,460 RNs and 313 nurse practitioners in Manitoba. “Nurses are the single largest group of health- care professionals within our system,” said Deb Elias, CEO and registrar of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. “They interact with clients, patients and families with knowledge regarding their health condition and treatment options with empathy and compassion.” Nurses are also the link between clients and the rest of the health-care team, she added. “We understand that there continues to be significant workforce challenges affecting the health system in Manitoba and the RNs and nurse practitioners who work within it. We have been hard at work to understand these challenges and how the college can contribute to finding solutions together with government and our
changes to our registration policies and processes over the past few years to help expedite entry into practice for applicants to the profession while maintaining standards of competence so Manitobans can continue to expect safe, ethical and competent care from all those registered as LPNs in our province.” Becoming an LPN is a wonderful career choice for those who want hands-on work in a caring profession, Breton said. “Because the entry-to-practice education for an LPN is shorter than other nursing programs, becoming an LPN is an excellent career choice for someone who has an interest in health sciences and nursing practice but who cannot devote more than two years to a full-time program,” she said. “LPNs then have the opportunity to build on their foundational education over the course of their careers through experience, additional education and training.” COLLEGE OF REGISTERED PSYCHIATRIC NURSES OF MANITOBA Registered psychiatric nurses are a regulated nursing profession in Manitoba, and they’ve been educated in Canada as a distinct profession for more than 100 years. These nursing professionals provide care and treatment to individuals, families, groups and communities with a focus on mental and developmental health, mental illness and addictions. “The therapeutic relationship, emotion, behaviour and cognition are also a major focus of psychiatric nursing practice, as is a holistic approach to care,” explained Tracy Thiele, council chair for the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba. “Psychiatric nursing education prepares RPNs to understand the complex relationship between emotional, developmental, physical and mental health, as well as the role that social factors, culture and spirituality play in illness and recovery.” Currently, there are more than 1,100 RPNs in Manitoba. The approved psychiatric nursing education program is offered by Brandon University at sites in both Brandon and Winnipeg. This four-year program leads to a bachelor of science in psychiatric nursing, and it includes studies in arts and science. Graduates of the program are eligible to write qualifying exams for RPN licensure with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba. “As the saying goes, there is no health without mental health,” Thiele said. “There is a definite need for more RPNs, and mental health professionals overall, in Manitoba.”
stakeholders,” Elias said. “Our data show there has been a relatively stable number of RNs and nurse practitioners in Manitoba over the past 10 years. While this information helps paint a picture of the overall number of RNs and nurse practitioners eligible to work in the province, we recognize that this only tells part of the story.” This number needs to be considered with an understanding of factors like how many are actively practising, how much they are working and how they are distributed across the health system, she noted. A career as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner is fulfilling, diverse and challenging, she said.
they must carry their own liability insurance in addition to any coverage they might have through an employer. Many practical nursing education programs are delivered in communities outside Winnipeg. “Because of this, the LPN profession plays an important role in maintaining health-care service provision in many rural, remote and northern communities,” Breton said. “LPNs are educated from the same body of nursing knowledge as other nurses. At entry-to- practice, Manitoba LPNs have completed a two- year college-level diploma program where they have studied physical, biological and nursing sciences.”
“It is a career that opens many doors and offers many opportunities for ongoing learning and advancement.”
Deb Elias, CEO and registrar of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
“It is a career that opens many doors and offers many opportunities for ongoing learning and advancement. It involves working with people in all walks and stages of life and is always dynamic and meaningful,” Elias said. “Nurses of all kinds continue to make significant personal contributions in providing Manitobans with competent nursing care. I would like to acknowledge their expertise, knowledge and compassion for the health and well-being of Manitobans and thank them for their critical and unfailing support of our health- care system.” COLLEGE OF LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES OF MANITOBA Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have practised in Manitoba since the 1940s and today there are nearly 4,000 LPNs across the province in a range of settings. “Members of the LPN profession practise both independently and collaboratively with other members of the health-care team,” said Jennifer Breton, executive director of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses. LPNs are responsible and accountable for their own practice and decisions. In Manitoba,
The focus of the program is on assessment, application, analysis, planning and evaluation. Practicum experiences are threaded throughout the program. “We have different pathways into practice for LPNs registered in other Canadian jurisdictions and nurses educated in other countries,” Breton added. Compared to elsewhere in Canada, Manitoba- based LPNs have a broad scope of practice. “In some other Canadian jurisdictions, the focus of LPN practice is on the care of clients who are stable and who have predictable needs,” Breton said. “Manitoba LPNs are educated to care for clients across the lifespan, who may or may not be stable and whose care needs may vary in complexity.” The past few years have spotlighted how essential nurses are to maintaining health- care services in Canada across health-care environments. “Without nurses, our health-care system cannot function. Having an adequate supply of nurses is essential, but so too is the competence of those nurses,” Breton said. “That is why we have made a number of
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NATIONAL NURSING WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
“ARNM advocates for the nursing profession in Manitoba. We know the sustainability of our health-care system depends on the strength, skills and steadfastness of nurses.” He noted that ARNM offers various types of support to nurses, including access to educational resources, professional development opportunities, networking events and advocacy for nursing issues at provincial and national levels. “Nurses play a critical role in the health-care system, working alongside other health-care professionals to provide compassionate and competent care to patients and clients. As a nurse, you have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives every day,” Borce said. “You’ll be helping patients to feel better, providing support, educating and advocating for their needs. Nurses never stop learning. As a nurse, you’ll constantly and continuously expand your knowledge and skills.” On behalf of ARNM, Borce thanks nurses for their compassion and commitment to the health of all Manitobans. “Your hard work and dedication are truly inspiring, and we are honoured to be part of this remarkable profession. To all the nurses in Manitoba, we want you to know that your work does not go unnoticed,” he said. “You are valued and appreciated, and we stand with you in celebrating your achievements and recognizing your essential role in the health-care system.”
individual RPN can be more focused. “It is shaped by experience, professional development and opportunities to develop specific competencies. This means that in actual practice, the type of care that RPNs provide in our community can vary a great deal,” she said. “This variety is one of the strengths of our profession. The flexibility of the RPN scope of practice allows us to serve specific needs in a wide range of settings — in the private and public sector, in health care and industry and beyond.” ASSOCIATION OF REGULATED NURSES OF MANITOBA The Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba represents RNs, LPNs, RPNs and nurse practitioners, as well as graduate nurses, nursing students and former registered nurses in Manitoba. The professional association promotes nursing across all settings, including practice, education, research, leadership and policy. Currently, the association supports about 9,000 members across the province. This year, a group of nursing associations across Canada, including ARNM, came together to launch the #HeyNurse social media campaign. This campaign invites the public to share appreciation for a nurse or group of nurses by posting a message, photo or video on social media with the hashtag #HeyNurse. “We believe in doing what’s best for our members and the health of people living
in Manitoba,” said executive director Joyce Kristjansson. “We further believe it is our responsibility to engage and inspire nurses to take pride in their profession and assume leadership in our community. We are champions of diversity, inclusivity, equity, social justice and democracy so we can all work together to create something better.” Association president Loreley Fehr said nursing is a highly skilled and highly rewarding profession. “We care for people when they are most vulnerable as well as provide preventative care to the population in areas such as cancer screening, public health and primary care. There are so many opportunities for nurses in Manitoba and in a variety of areas,” she said. “ARNM wants nurses and the public to understand that our focus is on the profession and supporting our members through ongoing professional development as well as opportunities to connect with other nurses. We need nurses to educate and mentor new nurses, provide leadership within our health-care system and be included when government is discussing and planning health care in Manitoba.” For president-elect Ken Borce, this year’s Nursing Week theme recognizes the vital role nurses play in shaping the future of health care. “It highlights the need to invest in and support nurses so they can continue to provide high- quality, evidence-based care and be leaders in health-care innovation and policy-making,” he said.
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Mental health includes emotional, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. “It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood,” Thiele said. “RPNs are committed to the prevention of illness, to the promotion and maintenance of optimal physical and mental health, and to evidence-informed, person-centred and recovery- oriented care.” Laura Panteluk, registrar and CEO of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba, said this year’s Nursing Week theme highlights diverse roles nurses play in the health- care system and their contributions to health and well-being of Manitobans. “The theme for Nursing Week opens a conversation about nursing and nurses working to their full scope of practice, but it also allows us to think bigger,” she said. “It is also an opportunity to talk about the needs of the population and how we build inter-professional teams to meet those needs. Let’s ensure all health-care professionals are recognized for the contributions they make.” The profession’s scope-of-practice statement is broad by design to ensure it fully applies to the wide range of client populations, roles and settings an RPN may serve or work in, Panteluk said. However, the actual scope of practice of an
Commitment & passion... everyday
Thanks to the generosity of Manitobans, we are proud to support oncology nurses at CancerCare Manitoba. From the front lines and throughout the cancer treatment and recovery spectrum, these health-care professionals provide outstanding care to patients across our province. Our heartfelt gratitude for your commitment and passion, today and everyday. Thanks to the generosity of Manitobans, we are proud to support oncology nurses at CancerCare Manitoba. From the front lines and throughout the cancer treatment and recovery spectrum, these health-care professionals provide outstanding care to patients across our province. Our heartfelt gratitude for your commitment and passion, today and everyday.
PHOTO : CancerCare Manitoba Nurse Navigators
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SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023
● THE FREE PRESS
NATIONAL NURSING WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
Registered nurses Destiny Wing, Ashley Kubic andTracyTuron provide care and compassion in the neonatal intensive care unit. (Photo by Natasha Woloschuk)
NICU NURSES OFFER CARE, COMPASSION AND A BIG DOSE OF CHEER TENDING TO THE TINY BY NATASHA WOLOSCHUK F or most Manitobans, those who will never experience the care, “When it comes to our babies, we are not just helping them for a shift; we are helping them for a lifetime.”
the way.” Nurses in the NICU typically look after one to three patients at a time depending on the medical needs of the babies. Feedings are supported every two to three hours, and assessments are completed almost as frequently, allowing the dedicated members of the care team to identify concerning changes or developments quickly. “Identifying even the smallest changes in our patients is very important to keeping them alive and ensuring the best possible outcomes,” said Ashley Kubic, a registered nurse who has worked in the HSC NICU for three years. “Our patients aren’t able to speak for themselves, so monitoring for even the most subtle changes is our responsibility. Catching things early, notifying the physicians and providing interventions as soon as possible is our goal.”
compassion and chaos of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), images from popular television medical dramas are likely their only glimpse into daily reality within these highly specialized units. Unlike those fictional Hollywood scenes, the NICU is often loud and very busy, with activity around the clock as staff move efficiently between patients, checking vitals, performing
Tracy Turon, a registered nurse at Health Sciences Centre’s NICU
“We’re providing care to some of the most vulnerable patients, as young as 22 weeks old, who are still developing and often cannot feed or breathe without support. The NICU is a very stressful place for babies and parents, and it is our job and privilege to help them every step of
tests and offering support to families. “Most of our babies need constant monitoring, and with that comes constant alarms and beeping and so much equipment,” said Tracy Turon, a registered nurse who has worked at Health Sciences Centre’s NICU since 1997.
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THANK YOU MANITOBA NURSES We are proud to support you!
NIKI ASHTON Member of Parliament Churchill—Keewatinook Aski Niki.Ashton@parl.gc.ca 1-866-785-0522
LEAH GAZAN Member of Parliament Winnipeg Centre Leah.Gazan@parl.gc.ca 204-984-1675
DANIEL BLAIKIE Member of Parliament Elmwood—Transcona Daniel.Blaikie@parl.gc.ca 204-984-2499
Newborn premature baby in the NICU intensive care. (Stock photo)
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Kubic and Turon both acknowledge the challenges of working in an environment with a high degree of stress, particularly during periods of high activity within the NICU. That stress, they agree, is offset by the joy of working with their tiny patients, as well as the pride they take in knowing that their efforts are making such a positive impact in their patients’ lives. “When it comes to our babies, we are not just helping them for a shift; we are helping them for a lifetime,” Turon said. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come in the care we offer since I started working here 26 years ago. I’m excited for the future as we incorporate more developmental supportive care techniques and trauma-informed care into our practice. I feel really proud to be part of something great.” The NICU care team, made up of nurses like Kubic and Turon as well as a diverse array of other health-care professionals, develops close relationships with patients and their families, many of whom come to HSC’s NICU from communities outside Winnipeg, including across Manitoba, Nunavut and northwestern Ontario. “When families can’t be there, we become their little baby’s cheerleader. In those cases, we get to watch them become little people and we celebrate every achievement they have,” said Destiny Wing, a registered nurse who has worked in the NICU for eight years. “I cared for a patient who came from another province for 39 shifts in a row. That baby was very young, with all odds stacked against her, but while she was in our care she met every milestone and eventually was able to leave us at full term. Caring for her was an amazing experience and I am so grateful I could be there for her when she needed me.” While the NICU regularly see patients from out of province, it’s not often that the unit supports care for patients older than six months. Between October 2022 and January 2023, however, the NICU team took on additional responsibilities, providing care and support as an overflow unit for children in HSC’s pediatric intensive care
LEFT TO RIGHT: Registered nurses Destiny Wing,TracyTuron and Ashley Kubic. (Photo by Natasha Woloschuk)
“It was truly incredible to see first-hand that we are not just one individual unit. While we care for the smallest patients, we are part of a much bigger system and we will each do whatever we need to help anyone who needs us, even if it’s not our regular patient population,” Kubic said. “To me, that commitment to caring for others is what working as a nurse is all about.”
supporting each other to provide our patients with the highest level of care.” As HSC managed high patient numbers and surging admissions, the NICU team worked together to support patients and their families, demonstrating care and compassion in the midst of significant chaos.
unit (PICU) as Manitoba experienced a surge in respiratory viruses. “This past winter was a really challenging time as our hospital saw so many sick kids coming in. All of us worked extra hours and extra shifts and did more in our day to support these patients and our colleagues in the PICU,” Turon said. “Our team was really good at
Thank you nurses for leading the way. From managing complex treatments to providing emotional support, nurses wear many hats. They are educators, advocates and leaders who are at the forefront of providing the care our community needs. From managing complex treatments to providing emotional support, nurses wear many hats. They are educators, advocates and leaders who are at the forefront of providing the care our community needs. We thank our nurses for their unwavering commitment, leadership and professionalism, and we recognize and appreciate the significant contributions they make every day. We thank our nurses for their unwavering commitment, leadership and professionalism, and we recognize and appreciate the significant contributions they make every day. From managing complex treatments to providing emotional support, nurses wear many hats. They are educators, advocates and leaders who are at the forefront of providing the care our community needs. We thank our nurses for their unwavering commitment, leadership and professionalism, and we recognize and appreciate the significant contributions they make every day. Thank you nurses for leading the way. Thank you nurses for leading the way.
#OurNursesOurFuture #OurNursesOurFuture #OurNursesOurFuture
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● THE FREE PRESS
NATIONAL NURSING WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
VernonYaskiw, James Wasio and Jacquie Williams graduated from the same class in 1992 and have worked together at Selkirk Mental Health Centre for 30 years. (Photo by Darcy Gosek)
A COMMUNITY OF COMPASSION
BY SARA LOCKE A large, stately building stands on the north side of Manitoba Avenue in the community of Selkirk. From the exterior, the 252-bed facility has an institutional feel — but inside, it’s filled with the warmth of dedicated and compassionate care teams, including a crew of long-time nursing colleagues who have made Selkirk Mental Health Centre (SMHC) their work home for the past 30 years. Jacquie Williams, Vernon Yaskiw and James Wasio are at the heart of the care team responsible for providing treatment, rehabilitation and support to inpatient residents of SMHC. “There’s a camaraderie here, like it’s our own little town,” said Jacquie Williams, a registered psychiatric nurse and the manager of the acute and acquired brain injury programs. “In many instances, you develop lifelong friendships with colleagues.” Williams — along with colleagues Yaskiw and Wasio — graduated in 1992 from the last class of the facility’s former School of Psychiatric Nursing and have worked within the walls of SMHC ever since. “Being a psych nurse, there are so many
amongst the care teams working at SMHC, which has pivoted its programming as society’s perspective on mental illness has evolved. “There was a time when SMHC was seen as the ‘end of the road,’ where individuals with complex case presentations end up, for custodial- type care,” said James Wasio, the third member of the 30-plus-year club and interim chief executive officer of the facility. “Over the last couple of decades, our approach has really evolved to embrace a ‘do with, not for’ recovery-orientated service model.” Working in the field for the past 30 years has offered Wasio a unique position from which to view the evolution of mental health. As the director of the facility’s forensic program, Wasio leads an area where integrated and comprehensive mental health services are provided for individuals who legally require psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation in a secure facility. “There is a lot of stigma attached to this population, and reintegration can be challenging,” Wasio said. “Being able to support them at their lowest point and seeing them improve and transition back into the community is very fulfilling and rewarding.” The changes in mental health services and supports over the three decades — including the most recent transition of SMHC to Shared Health in late 2022 — have given Williams, Yaskiw and Wasio countless opportunities to learn a variety of new skills, mentor the next generation of nurses and develop lifelong friendships. “Nursing offers so many opportunities to step outside the box,” Wasio added. “It’s incredible to see the differences you can make, directly with patients on the frontline as well as in leadership positions. There’s no other job I’d rather do.”
“Humans are extraordinary. As nurses, we hear stories that will make you laugh and others where you truly realize the impact of your role. Mental illness can be sad and arduous, but there are joyous moments in the vulnerability.” – Jacquie Williams
and recognize learning opportunities.” Yaskiw shares his own experiences, challenges and teaching moments with nurses when they join the program, encouraging them to shift their mindset from being “just a student.” “I ask them to start thinking of themselves as nurses,” Yaskiw said. “The first two years of nursing is about gaining confidence and building the foundation of your practice. They need to not only trust what they have learned but also trust the people around them enough to ask questions.” The mentorship role comes naturally to Yaskiw, who now recognizes that psychiatric nursing was his calling long before he entered a formal training program. “In high school, I was always the guy that people came to when they needed to talk. And I think, in this line of work, the difference between being good and great is the little pieces of who you are. You can teach processes and medications, but you cannot teach compassion or empathy.” Compassion and empathy are in high supply
avenues open to you,” Williams added. “You can move between the different programs, different positions and grow into supervisor or leadership roles. It’s those opportunities for new challenges that have kept many of us here for this long.” Williams started her nursing career working in the facility’s geriatric program, supporting
specialized care for elderly patients. “I look back on some of the simplest
interactions with geriatric patients that made such a distinct difference, that didn’t include medication or dressing care,” she said. “Just talking to them about their life or how many children they had. What a gift it was to be able to support them — and their families — through that journey.” Colleague Vernon Yaskiw, now the manager of the geriatric program and bed utilization, graduated with Williams and also plays a vital role in the training and development of the next generation of nurses. “Working at SMHC, nobody wears one hat,” Yaskiw said. “There’s a whole mentorship aspect of my role that allows me to help students grow
LEFT: Jacquie Williams points at James Wasio in the 1992 graduating class. (Photo by Darcy Gosek) RIGHT: Left to right: James Wasio, Jacquie Williams and Vernon Yaskiw.
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NATIONAL NURSING WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
WHEN PASSION MEETS OPPORTUNITY BY ALEXANDRA WENGER W hen Chandel Bailey-Morrison’s kindergarten teacher school for paramedicine and when she got a job in Dauphin, I took the leap with her. We were engaged nine months later.” Together, the couple started their new careers in Dauphin with the intention of staying for two years to gain experience before returning to Winnipeg. Years later, they haven’t left and no longer have plans to. “I never thought I’d live outside the city mentors she had along the way for inspiring both her interest in leadership and her approach to her current role. “When I was a health-care aide, Monika economical, my commute is convenient, and there are tons of outdoor activities and a diverse and supportive community. My definition of family has changed, and it’s here. Dauphin is home.”
Warren (now chief nursing officer for Shared Health) was one of the people who encouraged me to become a nurse. I’ve always said if I was ever in a leadership role, I would want to be like her. The way she speaks to people and her calmness during crisis is just so remarkable. It really stuck with me and inspires me to this day to be a great leader.” These days, Bailey-Morrison’s
asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Chandel already knew her answer. She wanted to become a nurse. “I always knew nursing was my calling,” Bailey-Morrison said. “As a kid I was always helping people. To this day, when I care for people, it reminds me of my purpose on this earth and it makes me feel whole.” Bailey-Morrison’s health-care career started early, with those kindergarten dreams, and continued on into high school when she became a health-care aide and worked in both hospice and palliative care environments. “Palliative care was the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It’s such an honour to care for people in their final stages of life,” she said. “I have some truly heartwarming memories, including a patient who asked me to give her a bath while listening to Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World.’ She got me to dance around the room singing at the top of my lungs. We laughed until we cried. It was the best day — and literally her very last day on earth.” Her goal of becoming a nurse was realized when Bailey-Morrison graduated with a nursing degree in 2014. From a dream planned out and pursued from the early age of five, Bailey- Morrison’s career path has taken her to some unexpected places, including to Dauphin, where she is care team manager at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC). “While I was in college, I met the love of my life,” Bailey-Morrison explained. “She was in
borders far from family. At first, Dauphin was a big culture shock and rural medicine had a significant learning curve,” Bailey-Morrison said. “Out here, our scope is a bit broader so I’ve had more opportunities than I would have in the city. Where Winnipeg sites might have specific IV or code teams, here in Dauphin we are those teams.” During her five years working at the DRHC, Bailey-Morrison has explored many different opportunities and worked in a variety of specialties, including medicine, surgery and maternity while using her experience to help
everyday tasks are quite different from those she was responsible for in a direct care nursing role, but she has found her calling in leadership and is known around the facility for her commitment to staff, ability to bring teams together to succeed and willingness to be an extra set of hands whenever they are needed. While Dauphin wasn’t in the
both new and existing staff expand their education in her current leadership role.
original kindergarten dreams, it has become
“As a rural nurse, you’re so much more than your job title. There’s a certain kind of flexibility in rural nursing that allows you to develop your skills in different ways. You have the ability to jump in and get orientated on different units and if you show interest and want to learn, you can try it,” she added. “All your career goals can be made possible here. There’s just so much room to grow.” As care team manager, Bailey-Morrison is responsible for half the Dauphin facility, including three of its largest units, overseeing everything from staffing, hiring, recruitment, finances and budgeting to patient safety and operations. “I’ve been given great opportunities to climb the ladder in my career. I think my journey would have looked a lot different if I had stayed in Winnipeg,” Bailey-Morrison said, crediting the
home for Bailey- Morrison and her family, offering small-town
charm and big opportunities. “Living in rural
Manitoba offers the best of both worlds. Dauphin is beautiful and
Chandel Bailey-Morrison always knew she wanted to become a nurse. (Photo by Crista Bailey-Morrison)
RFHS | College of Nursing
THANK YOU! We applaud our learners, faculty members, nurses and midwives across the province for the many roles they play. As frontline health-care providers, leaders, administrators, researchers and practitioners, nurses deliver high-quality health care while mentoring the future generation of nurses. As we welcome a third cohort of 120 nursing students this spring in our expanded BN program, we look forward to the roles they will play in improving patients’ lives and contributing to our community’s health and well-being. Our Nurses. Our Future.
THE COLLEGE OF NURSING IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL NURSING WEEK , MAY 8 – 14, 2023
#OurNursesOurFuture
umanitoba.ca/nursing
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MOTHER AND DAUGHTER PURSUE NURSING DREAM
BY ANYA NAZERAVICH
working at the nursing stations. “I remember one nurse specifically telling me as a teenager that I would make a good nurse,” Bland said. “I felt so reassured at that time especially because I didn’t believe in myself and didn’t think I had what it would take.” Completing the program alongside her mom has been an incredible opportunity to see her mother grow through the demanding process, according to Bland. “My son and I are so proud of her and cannot wait to watch her cross that stage and receive her degree,” she said.
W hen Marjorie Prosken was in her 20s, an interaction between a nurse and her young son became a moment she would never forget, ultimately leading to a decision to pursue a career in nursing later in life. “As an Indigenous person, sometimes we get brushed off so, in that moment, having a nurse who was Indigenous herself be so sweet, so caring and so attentive to my son was memorable,” said Prosken, who, at 47, is now wrapping up her nursing degree at University College of the North (UCN) in Thompson. Prosken is still in touch with the nurse who cared for her son and takes the memory of that care experience with her as she treats her own patients. From wound care to casual chats over tea, she is driven to make each patient feel important. “Providing that therapeutic care for them, they remember it,” she said. As a young mom, Prosken worked for a local airline in Thompson for nearly 15 years. It was a role that involved helping passengers find solutions to their everyday airline conflicts. When her youngest child entered Grade 1 and she returned to work full-time, Prosken wanted to continue being someone people could rely on but in more impactful way. Looking for an educational opportunity close to home, Prosken entered the bachelor of nursing program offered by UCN in partnership with the University of Manitoba, which allows students to complete their schooling and residencies while remaining in their northern community of either The Pas or Thompson. While Prosken was drawn to nursing by a desire to take care of people, she was also motivated by her own daughter who was also pursuing a bachelor of nursing at UCN. “She’s so strong; she went back to school when she had a little one,” said Prosken, referring to her daughter Dominque Bland. “I knew that when they were babies, there’s no way I could think of going to school with four little ones.” Interested in health care from the time she was a child, Bland recalls her nanny (grandmother) calling her Dr. Bland or Nurse Bland. The support of family and their belief in her dreams made Bland feel more confident about making them into her reality. When she had her son, Bland said, those dreams had new motivation. “I knew I had to be a positive role model for him and strive to give him the best life possible,” she added. Growing up in an isolated northern community, Bland was inspired by the nurses
“I could not be prouder to see how many Indigenous nurses are in or coming into the profession.”
Marjorie Prosken, nursing student at University College of the North in Thompson
The thought of graduating makes Prosken emotional, representing much more than letters behind her name. “Being Indigenous is already hard enough sometimes, and I’ve experienced and know what my patients sometimes feel like,” said Prosken, who often speaks Cree to her patients, many of whom are elderly and understand their language better. “If there are more Indigenous people in the health-care system, Indigenous people will be more receptive to receiving care.” Likewise, Bland shared similar thoughts. “I could not be prouder to see how many Indigenous nurses are in or coming into the profession,” Bland added. “I can only hope that others will believe in themselves and their dreams.” The example set by the mother and daughter is inspiring the next generation. Bland’s son is already talking about becoming a nurse or pediatrician when he grows up — proof, Bland said, that she has influenced him in a positive way.
Marjorie Prosken (left) with her daughter Dominique Bland (right) at Dominique’s 2021 nursing graduation. (Photo by Noretta Miswaggon)
Nurses are at the heart of our Hospital St. Boniface Hospital Foundation is grateful to health-care workers on the front lines for the compassionate care you provide. On behalf of our donors, thank you. So much.
Thank you for everything you do, Manitoba Nurses!
Amazing things are possible when you support St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.
bealifeline.ca
Operating Room nurse Jeanelle Ramos.
PC_Ad_Nursing Week_3.392 x 4.357.indd 1
2023-04-25 11:37 AM
196 Provencher Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R2H 0G3
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THE FREE PRESS ●
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023
NATIONAL NURSING WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
NURSE PRACTITIONER RETURNS HOME TO SERVE PATIENTS IN SOUTHERN MANITOBA
BY JENNIFER MEDLICOTT
Funk explained. “As you can imagine, there is grief, fear, denial, action or extreme action and many more, depending on the person. While chronic disease nurses care for the physical health needs of a patient, we also play an important role in each of these phases after diagnosis.” Funk credits the 12 years she spent working as a chronic disease nurse in Southern Health– Santé Sud for preparing her to tackle yet another educational milestone as she pursued a master’s degree in nursing part-time, studying in the evenings and weekends over a four-year span. “I am still using a lot of the skills I learned working as a chronic disease nurse now in my role as nurse practitioner,” said Funk, who graduated and began working as a nurse practitioner last fall. Together with a team, Funk is working to provide patients with quality and comprehensive care. “Each member of the team brings expertise from our different backgrounds,” Funk said. “My colleagues come from specialized areas such as labour and delivery, rash or skin issues, and emergency medicine, and we work together to ensure our patients receive the best care possible. We are a very collaborative group, with a lot of consults amongst the team.” In her role at a rural Quick Care Clinic, Funk continues to see a number of chronic disease patients, including many who may not have a family care provider — checking blood work, looking at ultrasound results and doing follow- ups, while also providing more episodic care for people with more minor complaints like sore throats and rashes. “No two days are the same, even in a small community,” she added. “The most rewarding parts of my job are the times when patients have taken the time to thank me for my help. It reinforces for me the appreciation people have for one another when someone is there to help during the tough moments in their lives. It’s those moments that stick with me.”
F or Karla Funk, nursing is a journey. It has taken her across the country and back home again. It has guided her on a path of continuous learning that began with a love of math and science, led to a bachelor of nursing degree, and has concluded with a master’s degree in nursing and a career as a nurse practitioner in rural Manitoba. “I spent my first few years nursing in New Brunswick, working in a variety of acute care settings and getting a feel for different areas and roles,” Funk said. “It was valuable experience, but ultimately I knew I was meant to return home, and I’m so glad I did.” After returning to Manitoba, a conversation in the right place at the right time with the right person (a friend’s mother, also a nurse) inspired Funk to continue her education. “Training to become a chronic disease nurse has really helped shape the kind of care provider I am today,” Funk said. “It showed me that we are nurses to both a patient’s body and their mind.” The role of a chronic disease nurse centres on the care for individuals diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as heart disease or diabetes. This includes treatment, education and preventive care while also supporting patients as they navigate the reaction and emotions of a chronic disease diagnosis. “There are several reactions and phases that people go through when they are diagnosed,”
Karla Funk, nurse practitioner (Photo by Natasha Woloschuk)
PROUD TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST, TOGETHER WITH RNs.
vanc
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.
crnm.mb.ca
AS A COLLEGE WE:
Regulate registered nursing practice in Manitoba Support RNs to provide safe, competent and ethical care Set standards for education, registration and practice Take action when the standards are not met
AT THE END OF 2022 WE HAD:
27 Graduate Nurses
13,509 RNs
313 Nurse Practitioners
The CLPNM is the regulatory body that governs the practice of student practical nurses, graduate practical nurses, and licensed practical nurses in Manitoba.
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SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023
● THE FREE PRESS
NATIONAL NURSING WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2023
OUR NURSES. OUR FUTURE.
NURSE PRACTITIONERS BRING CARE HOME TO INTERLAKE COMMUNITIES
BY LINDSEY ENNS
work closely with the amazing team at École Powerview School. It’s been a fantastic program that has been well received in our community,” Lamoureux said. “We are able to remove barriers and create easier access to care and improved adherence to medical treatments. It’s a way to improve the health and safety of our local youth. It’s a real privilege to feel the direct impact of our work on a daily basis.”
J esse Lamoureux is a passionate advocate
for his patients and his community.
Raised in Pine Falls, Lamoureux initially gravitated to Winnipeg to pursue education and an early career in oncology working as a registered nurse at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg and CancerCare Manitoba. Lamoureux’s connection to his community, and to his Métis heritage, eventually called him “home” to Pine Falls where he now works as a nurse practitioner supporting the primary care needs of the community in which he grew up. “With my heritage, I have this intimate understanding of the dynamics, demographics and health-care needs of our population,” Lamoureux said. “I’ve had the privilege of nursing for 11 years, but serving the region of my roots in is an incredible honour.” Lamoureux was first drawn to a career in nursing because of the opportunity it provided to have a direct impact on the lives of others, a passion for helping that fuels his day-to-day interactions with patients from Pine Falls and surrounding communities. “I am inspired by the people I care for every day,” Lamoureux said. “I see people in my community who are facing tremendously challenging circumstances, yet they maintain dignity, courage and strength. They teach me many lessons in both resiliency and the tenacity of the human spirit.” Lamoureux spends a significant amount of his working time in the community, offering services to youth and adolescents at one of 13 teen/youth health and wellness drop-in clinics operated by the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority. “The interactions where we are able to directly help people and positively impact their care are what bring me the most joy in this line of work,” Lamoureux said. “It’s that moment when you help someone feel better, happier and healthier that sustains us as nurses. It’s a challenge that has meaning — and that’s tremendously fulfilling.” In the time Lamoureux spends at the drop- in clinic located within the community’s École Powerview School, the opportunities for those types of positive care interactions are diverse — and numerous. “The clinic bridges the gap between the school services and health-care services. We
“I see people in my community who are facing tremendously challenging circumstances, yet they maintain dignity, courage and strength.”
Jesse Lamoureux, nurse practitioner
Lamoureux works alongside a team of providers at the École Powerview School Youth Health and Wellness Clinic, connecting students with health and support services that may include referral for additional support or to see a specialist. The team, typically made up of a nurse practitioner, public health nurse and a combination of other resources or community volunteers, works closely with school staff to have the greatest combined impact. Providing a mix of primary care and public health supports, the clinics offer free and confidential services including information about reproductive health, prescriptions and refills for birth control, sex advice and sexually transmitted infection testing, immunizations, pregnancy testing and counselling, and treatment of minor illness and pain. “I like being able to bring care where the people are and to the community they live in, instead of waiting for people to come to me,” added Kaitlyn Klassen, a nurse practitioner and colleague of Lamoureux’s at the clinic. “The teen clinic is one example of how we meet people where they’re at. I’ve learned so much and grown
Jesse Lamoureux is a nurse practitioner who serves Pine Falls and surrounding communities. (Photo by Al McKay)
so much from these experiences working with different populations.” Klassen divides her time between the École Powerview School Youth Health and Wellness Clinic and Little Black River First Nation, supporting care for members of these communities. For Klassen, pursuing a career that involved caring for others was a passion from a young age and she enjoys the variety that her career in nursing offers. “At first the students can be guarded, but once you build that trust and a relationship with them, they are much more comfortable expressing how they are feeling,” said Klassen, emphasizing
the importance of providing students with a safe place to talk about stress, depression, relationships or anything else on their minds. “Sometimes it’s just as simple as being able to provide a listening ear. Showing some compassion and empathy makes a big difference.” Building connections through compassion and care and making a difference each and every day, Klassen and Lamoureux are shining examples of the positive impact that nurses have not only on the patients they care for directly but also on entire communities.
Nurse practitioner Kaitlyn Klassen divides her time between the École Powerview School Youth Health and Wellness Clinic and Little Black River First Nation. (Photo by Aaron Cyr)
11
THE FREE PRESS ●
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023
FRENCH LANGUAGE SKILLS IN PRIMARY CARE NURSING PUT PATIENTS AT EASE NURSE ENCOURAGES FELLOW COLLEAGUES TO KEEP EXPANDING THEIR CAPABILITIES
IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY WHEN IT COMES TO NURSING SKILLS One of Prenovault’s primary influences for be- coming a nurse came from watching her grand- ma and mom work as nurses. “I always saw it as a possibility growing up because I had people close to me doing that job of a nurse,” she said. In one instance, Preno- vault had a young cousin who was
ACTIVELY OFFER FRENCH LANGUAGE FOR PERSONALIZED CARE The primary care clinic where Prenovault works welcomes many refugees and newcomers from French-speaking countries in Africa. Her cultural identity as a French-Canadian and her upbringing prepared her to com- municate with patients in the language they are most comfortable.
BY LINDSAY MACKENZIE A change in work en- she needed to reprioritize her well-being and reinvigorate her passion for health care. Nicole Prenovault is a registered nurse who worked on the frontlines in one of the city’s busiest hospitals during the COVID-19 pan- demic. Late last year, she switched care settings while completing her master’s degree and now supports physicians in a primary care setting at a Winnipeg clinic. vironments is what one Winnipeg nurse said “There are some very triggering words — like ‘resiliency’ is very triggering and like ‘hero’ is very tricky,” said Prenovault, who works with five doctors as well as a physician assistant, nurs- es and administrative staff in her new role. The registered nurse decided to switch work settings to prioritize work-life balance. The Win- nipeg health region employs more than 14,000 staff and is one of the province’s largest employ- ers. Health-care professionals have a variety of site, program and service areas where they can continue to advance their careers through mul- tiple workplace environments. Prenovault appreciates the flexibility that pri- mary care settings offer nurses. “To be honest, I really like working in the hospital,” she said. “I always have, but I just was really, really burnt out.” Now Prenovault takes care of administering immunizations and following up with patients to make sure that vaccination schedules are up to date for infants and school-aged children. Patients can call the doctor’s office and she will review eligibility criteria with them.
comforting patients as they wait for test results, diagnostic imaging or referrals that a physician may order as part of a care plan. “I try to talk to people and comfort them through that process,” she said. “Everyone has a different understanding of the way the system works, and I think a lot of us who work in health care take that for granted.” Along with providing compassionate care to patients, Prenovault explained that it is important for nurses to take care of their well-being too. “When I worked at St. Boniface Hospital for the internal medicine unit, my manager was really good at listening to us and our concerns,” she said. She recommends speaking with coworkers to get their advice on coping skills or asking them for helpful suggestions for adjusting a sleep schedule after the night shift. Most importantly, though, Prenovault encour- ages her nurse colleagues to take stock of their priorities regularly. “You have to figure out what’s most important to you,” she said. “To some people, it is work. For me, family and friends are No. 1. But you have to figure out where your priorities lie and then you figure out a way to carve your life out around that, and that’s what I did.” Prenovault hinted that she will return to the hospital environment again in the future, but for now she’s enjoying the opportunity to gain a different sort of experience in the health-care system. “I’ve always moved around, like, every two years. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but that’s the way I’ve done it,” she said. “I liked the variety of experiences I’ve gained. You learn a lot at every new job. In primary care, I am seeing the way the system works even more.”
“If you grew up speaking French your whole life … it makes
being looked after at the Children’s Hospital. When she visited, she noticed a post-surgery draining bag was hanging off the bed. “I remem- ber thinking it was kind of hanging off the bed just above the ground, and I told
a very big difference [to speak
in your mother tongue],”
she said. “Patients just feel in- stantly more
comfortable and like they
can trust you.” Patients can ask for French language
the nurse I thought it was pulling too much. She said to me, ‘You’re so right,’ and I remember thinking I was a genius.” But it wasn’t until much later when Prenovault was in nursing school and had to be hospitalized for 10 days that she experienced the
translation services at any Winnipeg health region site as part of the Active-Offer program, which is dedicated to providing more individualized care.
Nicole Prenovault, registered nurse (Photo by Chynna Hill)
“Everybody wants that in health care,” Preno- vault said. “It’s such a big system and there’s so much going on, but you just want someone to see you for who you are and if you can offer [a moth- er tongue language], that’s very comforting.” One of the most difficult parts of providing nursing support in a primary care setting is
opportunity nurses have to make a meaningful difference every day in the course of their jobs. “I just remember thinking of the people who made the difference to me,” she said, “and I wanted to make that difference for other people someday.”
ADVANCING HEALTHCARE
National ursing eek May 8-14
Our Nurses
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Our Future
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In every community and all health-care settings, Manitoba nurses are making a difference in the lives – and health – of Manitobans. During National Nursing Week, we give thanks to these essential members of our health-care teams, for their skill, dedication, and compassion. Thank you for all that you do, each and every day. Interested in a career in caring?
To make a gift in honour of the nurses at Victoria Hospital, visit TheVicFoundation.ca/Donate or call 204-477-3513 . We are grateful to our dedicated and compassionate nurses for making a difference in the lives of patients at Victoria Hospital, today and every day. We thank them for their leadership and ongoing commitment to providing outstanding care when it is needed most. #OurNursesOurFuture
Learn more about nursing opportunities available across Manitoba at healthcareersmanitoba.ca
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