National Nursing Week 2017
Nurses make up one of the largest groups of health professionals within Canada, and play a crucial role in our healthcare system. At Closing the Gap, our nurses help shape our organization and we are proud to have such passionate, friendly, and enthusiastic staff as part of the CTG family. To celebrate National Nursing Week 2017, we featured 7 different nurses from May 8th – 14th, and learned what it means for them to be a nurse.
National Nursing Week Day #1
Adrian A. Crissien, Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Kitchener ON
What is the best and/or most challenging part about being a nurse?
Personally, the best part about being a nurse is seeing a smile on my patients’ faces. If I see a smile on my patients’ face, I feel like I have done my job for the day. Everyday, I feel blessed to be able to make someone’s day better despite all the hardships they may be undergoing in their lives. Any act of kindness, big or small, can have a profound effect on the lives of our patients.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
If I could choose one superpower, it would be to fly. I think having the freedom to travel all over the world without paying airfare would be amazing! Plus, I wouldn’t have to worry about leg room, or who gets the armrest, or possible being dragged off the plane.
National Nursing Week Day #2
Stephanie Albert, Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Muskoka ON
What is the best and/or most challenging part about being a nurse?
The best part about being a nurse is working with different people all the time and seeing the progress clients make with competent care and encouragement.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
My superpower would be to give my clients the ability to see their potential in healing themselves, to show them that they have the power to take control of their care, and encourage them in their journey to recovery.
National Nursing Week Day #3
Sophy Sao, Registered Nurse (RN), Mississauga ON
What is the best and/or most challenging part about being a nurse?
You will never know everything. Research and practice changes all the time, so it’s important to be current and up to date with the changes. So much about the profession is experience and over time you become better and better. Therefore you also have to be very adaptable; new equipment, new medication/treatment, new technology, etc. It’s such a rewarding profession where learning is never at a stand still.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
Personally, the ability to transport and go from place to place in the blink of an eye. See the world, feel like I can be in 2 or more places at a time. Professionally, the ability to heal, whether it be from sickness, spiritual healing, emotional healing, etc.
National Nursing Week Day #4
Rebecca Rabong, Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Kitchener ON
What is the best and/or most challenging part about being a nurse?
The best part of being a nurse is being able to make a difference to someone, and have a positive impact on their day or lives, even if it’s in a small way. Also, that the profession is so diverse in areas of practice, there is so much knowledge to gain.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
If I had one superpower, it would be to be able to teleport. That way I could be anywhere within seconds!
National Nursing Week Day #5
Sarah Rome, Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and Private Programs Supervisor, Mississauga ON
What is the best and/or most challenging part about being a nurse?
The best part of being a nurse, for me, is the way that patients and their families love, thank and invite you into their lives. Nurses primarily provide care and support during times of crisis and it is incredibly rewarding and heartwarming to be able to be appreciated for our efforts.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
I think the ability to time travel would be amazing! I’ve always been told that I am an old soul and there are so many inspiring people from the past that I would love to meet.
National Nursing Week Day #6
Joanne Greco, Registered Nurse (RN) and Chief Nursing Officer, Mississauga ON
What is the best and/or most challenging part about being a nurse?
The best part about being a nurse is being able to make a difference in the lives of patients and staff. The skills I’ve learned through my education and experience have allowed me to help people in different ways; as a Nurse, and as the Chief Nursing Officer. The skills that you learn in Nursing are transferrable, and are incorporated into all the things you to do help clients and staff.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
If I could have one superpower, it would be to be able to transport myself, so I wouldn’t need to drive in traffic! Also to be more accessible and efficient with my time.
National Nursing Week Day #7
Lori Aberle, Registered Nurse (RN), Kitchener ON
What is the best and/or most challenging part about being a nurse?
The best part of being a nurse is being able to enrich the lives of those around us through our actions, thoughts, and deeds. The most challenging part of nursing is dealing/coping with the loss of those you have worked so closely with.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
My superpower would be to enable others to see beyond the limitations and labels put on others, so that they could see their true potentials.
Thank you to all of our nurses at CTG for your hard work and dedication, and happy National Nursing Week! #YESThisIsNursing