NGH and the NHNH recognizes our incredible team of nurses as we celebrate National Nursing Week

Norfolk General Hospital (NGH) and the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home (NHNH) are celebrating its dedicated nursing teams during National Nursing Week, which takes place this year from May 8 to 14.

National Nursing Week is celebrated every May to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. This year’s theme is Our Nurses, Our Future, which was developed by the Canadian Nurses Association to highlight the critical role of nurses in a patient’s healthcare journey.

At NGH and the NHNH, we are thankful for our nurse’s commitment to providing the highest standards of care and for working tirelessly to keep our community safe year after year. Our nursing teams dedicate their lives to help and save others.

“We are so grateful for our phenomenal team of nurses who provide extraordinary caring to patients and their families every day,” says Kim Mullins, Vice-President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive. “Nurses hold many roles in our organizations, with a vast array of expertise and experience. Our nurses demonstrate commitment to continual improvement in order to provide the best-evidenced care possible to our community, and I am inspired by their courage, dedication, compassion, and accomplishments.”

 “Every year, our nurses provide care for thousands of people in the Norfolk community and surrounding areas, said Todd Stepanuik, President and Chief Executive Officer. “They treat patients when ill, give them hope when they are doubtful, and give sound advice and compassionate care that we would want for our friends and family. Our nurses contribute to all aspects of NGH’s and the NHNH’s work to provide safe, quality healthcare to our patients and residents, and I am honoured to recognize their contributions.”

NGH and the NHNH would also like to extend our thanks to nurses who have retired in the past year and express our gratitude to nurses who helped mentor the next generation.

To celebrate National Nursing Week, we will be sharing and highlighting our nurses on our social media as a way to thank them for the countless contributions they have made at NGH and to our community this past year.

If you have a chance to say thank you to a nurse, this week is a good opportunity.

About National Nursing Week

National Nursing Week draws attention to nurses, increasing the awareness of the public, policy-makers and governments of the many contributions of nursing to the well-being of Canadians. The week is celebrated annually in Canada during the second week of May, which falls over the birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale on May 12.

 

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Meet Anyssa, a Registered Nurse (RN) and an I.T. Clinical Applications Analyst at Norfolk General Hospital (NGH).

It’s National Nursing Week, and we’re celebrating our dedicated team of nurses, like Anyssa, who provide patients and families with extraordinary care every day.

Anyssa, who spent many years helping patients at the bedside, is now an I.T. Clinical Applications Analyst – a crucial role that helps our teams at NGH.

“As an I.T. Clinical Applications Analyst it is my job to use my nursing skills to create, change and maintain documentation for front-line staff, said Anyssa. “I help to implement new clinical applications to make the front-line staff’s work easier and more efficient. I support new and current employees with the use of clinical applications. I also organize the orientation to our charting system for new staff so they are prepared to start their new positions.”

One of Anyssa’s favourite aspects of the job is meeting new people and getting to know them as individuals. She also enjoys that each day presents new challenges and opportunities.

“When I come to work, I look forward to seeing all of the friendly faces at Norfolk General Hospital and the anticipation of making all of my colleague’s work easier and more productive. The best part about working at NGH is the small tight-knit community we have created here. It is so great to walk down the halls and always see someone you know. Being able to make a difference in the lives of my coworkers and patients is what brings me to work every day.”

Anyssa joined the NGH team eight years ago and has cared for patients in several different areas of the hospital over the years, including the surgical care unit.

“Patient care to me has changed through my time as a nurse. At first, it was being at the bedside caring for patients and meeting their needs. Then it evolved to taking patients through their journey in the operating room and into recovery and being there for them in their most vulnerable state. Patient care to me now is being there to support frontline staff so they can provide the best care to their patients.”

Anyssa was inspired to go into nursing by some amazing women in her life, one of which was her grandmother.

Thank you, Anyssa, for your dedication and care to our patients over the past eight years! And Happy National Nursing Week!

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Meet Bernadette, a Registered Nurse (RN) at Norfolk General Hospital’s (NGH) Labour & Delivery Unit.

It’s National Nursing Week, and we are celebrating our amazing nurses, like Bernadette, who go above and beyond every day.

Bernadette cares for labouring women, postpartum mothers and newborns.

“My role as a labour and delivery nurse is to foremost ensure the safety of the mother and baby,” said Bernadette. “This is implemented from the first stage of our meeting in the maternal clinic or labour and delivery. At every point in care, from triage, to labour and post partum, my role is to ensure that they have the best holistic care and a dignified healthcare experience.”

Bernadette loves working alongside her talented team of nurses, physicians, and staff at NGH, who all come together to provide the best care possible to people in our communities.

“NGH has that small-town community feel. A place where community and family matters. People are polite, as well, working in an establishment with a very supportive director is great. My director and I recently had the pleasure of meeting the CEO. The leadership of the institution is one of the best. They have created an environment that fosters collaborative client care and the encouragement for continuing education.”

Bernadette was inspired to become a nurse after witnessing the tragic death of a young 17-year-old female student while in school. It was at that moment that Bernadette decided to get into healthcare to learn how to best respond in complex medical crisis.

“Patient care to me means being the best care giver, treating patients with dignity and respect and ensuring safety. Without patients, there are no nurses (or any healthcare professionals). Also, since anybody at any point in time can be a patient, it is important that “I treat people the way I want to be treated”. Dignity and respect.”

Thank you, Bernadette, for leading by example and for your dedication and care to helping patients at Norfolk General Hospital. We’re fortunate to have you on the team. Happy National Nursing Week!

 

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Meet Joanne, a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and a student preceptor at Norfolk General Hospital’s (NGH) Medical Unit on 3E.

For the past 30 years, Joanne has provided patients and families with extraordinary care. And we are proud to recognize Joanne during National Nurses Week for her commitment to providing the highest standards of care to patients in the communities we serve.

“What l enjoy most about my job is that it allows me to play an important role in people’s lives,” said Joanne. “I truly enjoy advocating for the patient and providing compassionate care. I have a chance to impact someone’s life for the better every shift and that’s what my amazing team on the 3E Unit and I strive for every day.”

For Joanne, her love for the job has become her life. She’s provided comfort in difficult times for many people. She’s also helped countless patients get well, get healthy, and get their life back on track.

“To me, patient care really does stand for looking after one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being and giving the best possible care you can.”

Joanne originally wanted to be a Personal Support Worker, but after completing a placement as a co-op student many years ago, she was inspired to become a nurse after receiving encouragement from a fellow nurse named Sue Smarts.

Today, Joanne plays a crucial role as a student preceptor in training and mentoring the next generation of nurses, many of whom have taken nursing roles at NGH.

Thank you, Joanne, for your dedication and care and for helping patients for the past 30 years! Happy National Nurses Week. We are so happy to have you and all of our nurses on our team.

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Meet Tara, a Registered Nurse (RN) and Manager of Clinical Development at Norfolk General Hospital (NGH).

It’s National Nursing Week, and we’re celebrating our phenomenal nurses, like Tara, who go above and beyond every day.

As Manager of Clinical Development, Tara is responsible for developing continuous clinician education by planning, coordinating, and evaluating a wide variety of in-services, such as nursing orientation. She collaborates with both internal and external stakeholders and experts to facilitate lifelong learning.

Tara wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, after being inspired by someone close to her heart.

“My grandmother inspired me,” says Tara. “She was a nurse, and the incredible Neonatal intensive care unit team who cared for my younger brother.”

Tara has been caring for patients for over 25 years, and she remains incredibly passionate about her work, noting that every day presents new challenges and rewards.

“To me, patient care means caring for others the way I want myself or family and friends to be cared for. I strive daily to inspire others to be the best they can be.”

One of Tara’s favourite aspects of the nursing profession, in addition to helping patients in a time of need, is the diverse opportunity for working in different fields and advancement.

“I enjoy the teamwork at NGH! How eager and committed my colleagues are to share knowledge and helping each other.”

Thank you, Tara, for leading by example and for your dedication and care to helping patients and staff at Norfolk General Hospital. We’re fortunate to have you on the team. Happy National Nursing Week.