In recognition of Nursing Week, get to know one of our long-standing RNs and his work at Headwaters.
How long have you been with Headwaters?
Of the 23 years I’ve worked in various roles in the nursing industry, I’ve been at Headwaters for 13 years.
What do you do as a high acuity transfer nurse?
My primary role is to provide acute monitoring, such as heart monitoring, for patients who have transferred to our hospital from another facility, and sometimes prepare them for another transfer. Monitoring is important for patients whose health conditions are less predictable.
What do you do if there aren’t any patient transfers?
I usually work in F-wing and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
If there aren’t any patient transfers, I help out wherever else I’m needed in the hospital: D and E-wings, or the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to provide post-surgical care. With a background in Emergency Health, I often support the Emergency Department too.
What’s something you’ve learned from being a nurse?
To be really organized, such as proper checks, reading reviews, making sure you can respond when something goes awry. I’ve learned the importance of understanding the medical history of a patient, their health journey – then I can determine what my role will be to care for the patient’s specific needs.
Why is it important to celebrate nurses?
To me, genuine thanks for nurses come from sincere moments of care for our team. For example, noticing when we’re struggling and finding out what happened, and addressing or trying to fix it. It’s important to celebrate nurses to show them appreciation, empathy, and true understanding of what we do and where we’ve been.