Our nurses rock!
Nurses at Niagara Health’s Ontario Street Site care for a variety of outpatients, including Dialysis, Endoscopy, Ophthalmology and Urgent Care. Gathered here for a celebratory nursing week photo are, from left, front row, Teresa Kellett, Archna Parikh, Jocelyn Laing, Lisa Rempel; second row, Kathryn Tuck, Henriette Pruyn, Briar Campbell; third row, Lynn Coulombe-Kafal, Janice Pipher, Lisa Mansfield; fourth row, Muriel Stenhouse, Violet Sepettchiev, Michelle Swift, Jane Cornelius; back row, Laura McVeigh.
While the nursing profession continues to evolve, the desire to improve the lives of others remains at the heart of modern nursing today.
“Niagara Health System (NHS) is extremely fortunate to have more than 1,880 nurses on staff attending to the individual needs of tens of thousands of patients and their families every year,” says President and CEO Debbie Sevenpifer.
Nursing is amongst one of the most diverse and specialized professions, and this is evident across NHS. “Our nurses are truly professionals who are committed to their patients and to providing compassionate, high quality patient care,” says Chief Nursing Executive Sue Matthews.
To examine the varied nature of nursing and the incredible people in the profession, Niagara Health Now got up close and personal with a handful of nurses from across our sites. Read on and learn about the backgrounds of these dedicated professionals, their challenges and what matters most to them.
Lindsey Sneek, Registered Nurse
“I like science. I like people. The human body is so fascinating. I thought it would be a great profession to get into. Every day, it’s rewarding just to be able to help people that need help.”
Biography: Born in Welland; grew up in Port Colborne; getting married to Marty in Port Colborne this July; avid runner currently training for half marathon
Class of 2008 – Brock University and Loyalist College
Current role: RN, Greater Niagara General Emergency Department
Why nursing? “I like science. I like people. The human body is so fascinating. I thought it would be a great profession to get into.”
What’s been most rewarding? “Taking care of people. Every day, it’s rewarding just to be able to help people that need help.”
Why Emergency? “I like change. I like a fast-paced environment, something different every day. I love ER. There is so much to learn, and you learn a little bit about every aspect of nursing. Eventually, I would like to go back to school to learn more – maybe become a Nurse Practitioner. It is important to me to continue to learn and advance my skills.”
Advice? “I did the new grad initiative, and I would recommend any new grad to take part in the program. It was six months of mentorship, and I got to ease into the profession. That really helped me – with my skills, confidence and critical thinking. It broadened my knowledge about life. Even though you learn in school, it’s the real experience that helps your understanding as a nurse.”
Sue Battersby-Campbell, Nurse Practitioner
“As nurses we can do so much more to improve a patient’s health and well being by taking into account their home environment, their relationships, their economic situation.”
Biography: Born in St. Catharines; resident of Fenwick with husband, three children ages 12, 14 and 17, two horses, five cats and one stray, chickens on the way; former volunteer firefighter
Class of 1990, 1999 and 2005 – Niagara College, RN; Brock University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; McMaster University, Nurse Practitioner
Current Role: Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner, Complex Continuing Care Unit, Port Colborne Site
What’s a Nurse Practitioner? “A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse with additional education and training who can diagnose and treat common illnesses, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medication and develop treatment plans with patients.
I started my career in long-term care then moved on to work in geriatric assessment. When I decided to take on the Nurse Practitioner role, I was advised to work a little in ER to gain experience with other populations. I spent a few years working in the ERs at Joseph Brant and St. Catharines General and had amazing mentors. That was a fabulous experience.”
The greatest lesson you have learned so far as a nurse? “Everyone has a story. Every patient faces different circumstances in their lives. As nurses we can do so much more to improve a patient’s health and well being by taking into account their home environment, their relationships, their economic situation. It’s not just about providing patients with treatments and medication. Nursing is about improving lives. Many people think nursing is just about tasks – it’s not. It is a much more cognitive profession.”
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? “To be patient. I am a doer. Where I see a problem, I want to fix it and I want to fix it right away. I don’t want to wait. I have had to learn to be patient with process and this is a continual challenge for me.”
Sharon Leaney, Registered Practical Nurse
“I learned a long time ago that I wasn’t going to fix or cure the world. My reward comes through being kind and treating people humanely.”
Biography: Born in Dunnville; resident of Welland since childhood; proud mother of a son and daughter; very proud Nana of four grandchildren – including twins!
Class of 1972 – Registered Nursing Assistant, Welland County General Hospital
Current Role: Registered Practical Nurse, Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Welland Site
Why nursing? “I always thought I would be a teacher or a nurse. When I was growing up, there was a lady who lived down the street who was a nurse on the children’s floor. She loved her job and had a husband and four young children. She ended up with breast cancer. She left it too long, went from being healthy and vital to suddenly dying. She had a big impact on me – a profound impact, in fact. I knew then that I had to be a nurse.”
The most challenging aspect of your role? What’s most rewarding? “The role is constantly changing. It’s never fixed. In mental health nursing, there isn’t a lot of right or wrong. You have to work with the individual’s needs. You have to know your boundaries and at the same time recognize behaviours. There is an instinct that grows with you in this field. I learned a long time ago that I wasn’t going to fix or cure the world. My reward comes through being kind and treating people humanely.”
Any advice for a would-be nurse? “Have patience and try not to be judgmental. You get back what you give in nursing. I spent a lot of time in pediatrics early in my career, and I learned a lot of life lessons which were helpful with my own children when they were growing up. I learned early on in my career that life is not perfect for anyone – never lose sight of this.”
Glenn Wiffin, Registered Nurse
“I like to say that the nurse is like a conductor of an orchestra. The nurse is the one who spends time with the patient and makes sure everyone else who needs to come in does so at the right time.”
Biography: Born in Hamilton; married with three grown children; former Sergeant, Canadian Forces serving in Europe and Golan Heights, Middle East.
Class of 1996 – Georgian College, RN
Current Role: Project Lead, Process Improvement Program, St. Catharines General Site – provincial project aimed at improving patient flow; formerly staff RN Intensive Care Unit, St. Catharines Site and Manager of Greater Niagara General Site Emergency Department.
What matters to you as a nurse? “What matters to me – absolutely – no question – it’s caring for the patients. This means looking at the big picture – what can I do not just for the person who is lying on the stretcher but for the person who takes care of them at home.
Helping the community understand how the healthcare system works, how we all need to work together as a healthcare team to get the most for patients – everyone – the doc, the community nurse, the housekeeper, the surgeon, the occupational therapist, the physiotherapist. I like to say that the nurse is like a conductor of an orchestra. The nurse is the one who spends time with the patient and makes sure everyone else who needs to come in does so at the right time.”
Advice on nursing? “Nursing isn’t about the tasks. You have to realize the uniqueness and individuality of everyone you come into contact with. As a nurse, you have the ability to make a real difference in your patient’s life. The caring aspect of nursing is the most important part of our role. If you truly care for someone, you will truly make a difference in people’s lives.”
Nurses at the NHS
Number of nurses
RNs – 1,350
NPs – 12
RPNs – 519
Total – 1,881
Ave. age of nurses
46 years
Ave. length of service
14 years
New grad hires for 2009
RNs – 57
RPNs – 19
Learn more online about our nurses in the 2010 NHS Nursing Report.
