Newsletter - Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest ...

Page 10 RNANT/NU Newsletter - Spring 2009
I too felt humbled, yet extremely proud and honoured at
the same time, to be among so many of my nursing heroes
at this milestone event in Canadian nursing history.
The word hero has several definitions but I use the term to
refer to somebody admired for outstanding qualities or
achievements. It was humbling to be among so many nurses
that I have admired; so many nursing leaders with significant
achievements to their name; so many Canadian nursing icons
from the five domains of nursing. There were renowned
researchers, exemplary practitioners, distinguished educators,
innovative administrators and transformational policy makers.
I pinched myself. It seemed surreal! “Am I really here? I can’t
think of anything I have done that would place me in this
prestigious class of nursing heroes!”
One thing all award recipients had in common was that they
were nominated by their nursing colleagues. To me that means
more than anything else. There is no greater tribute than to
be appreciated by your peers. To those who nominated me,
thank you for taking the time to recognize my contributions
to nursing in the North. I can honestly say that my success is
related to the fact that I have always had a passionate and
talented team to work with. Those who nominated me, and
many others I have enjoyed the privilege of working with over
the past 19 years, truly deserve to share in this award. Without
you the progress made in nursing in the NWT could not have
happened.
This brings me to applaud every northern nurse for each
of you has contributed to my attitudes, knowledge, and
understanding of nursing in this great part of the country. Your
stories touch me. Your passion excites me. Your commitment
reassures me. I feel connected to each of you even though I
may not have personally met you. I admire the qualities you
bring to the North, its people and the nursing profession. You
have made a difference in so many ways by just be being here,
doing what you do to the best
if your knowledge and ability.
I started my nursing career in public health and after 14 years
working in various frontline and management positions, I
moved with my family to Yellowknife when the new expanded
GNWT Department of Health was establishing subsequent to
transfer from Medical Services Branch. Since arriving here in
the spring of 1989, I have worked quietly yet passionately,
mostly behind the scenes, to push forward nursing agendas
that were good for nursing and good for the public. I have
had the supporof so many northern nurses as I have journeyed
down this path. With your support and guidance I have stayed
true to what I believe is important and together we have
achieved significant milestones.
Just a few are:
v Advanced nursing skills in-service (later renamed
education) program first launched in 1989,
v The first nursing education program in the NWT in 1996.
v Nursing education program achieving a baccalaureate
level credential in collaboration with University of
Victoria,
v Establishment of a nurse mentorship program in 1996,
one of the first in Canada,
v Development of new nursing profession legislation
that included regulation of nurse practitioners,
v Introduction of nurse practitioner education at Aurora
College in 1999, first at a certificate level in partnership
with the Centre for Nursing Studies in St. John’s
Newfoundland and beginning in January 2009 at a
Masters level in collaboration with Dalhousie University,
v Development and implementation of an integrated
service delivery model in the NWT including specific
strategies to integrate new types of practitioners such
as NPs into the interdisciplinary team at the community
level, and
v Establishment of a 24/7 NWT Health Line service manned
by registered nurses.
Oddly enough, as I near my official retirement from Government
work, I find myself back in the public health sector. Currently
I am seconded to the Public Health Agency of Canada as
Northern Coordinator for Skills Enhancement in Public Health.
My objective is to work with the three territories to develop
and implement a 3-year plan to strengthen the competencies
of those working in public health in the North. As nurses are
the prominent health care provider in the North and public
health services and programs are often integrated into their
overall job responsibilities, I remain strongly linked to nursing.
The first nursing director I worked for when I arrived in the
North said, “Northern Nurses are very special”. She spoke
from the heart. I have come to appreciate those words,
realizing what a gift each one of you is. There is an unspoken
camaraderie that binds us together as northern nurses.
Thank you for honouring me. Now it is my turn to honour you.
Northern Nurses are special. You are my heroes.