The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared 2020 is a Year of Recognition of Nurses and Midwives. To celebrate, each month we will be highlighting nurses and midwives in Dufferin-Caledon and the amazing work they do.
Meet Annette, Registered Nurse, who knew she wanted to be from an early age. “There was no epiphany, I just knew.”
She has now been nursing for 26 years, moving between Shelburne District Hospital, Dufferin Area Hospital and Headwaters. When the hospital in Shelburne closed in 2010, she returned to work in Orangeville on E-wing as a Charge Nurse, with a focus on geriatric care.
Her core responsibility is to help ensure the smooth operation and day-to-day flow of E-wing – a 20 bed rehabilitation and palliative care area. This includes communicating with physicians and “an amazing multidisciplinary team that make my job easy,” she said.
With the onset of the pandemic, Annette experienced some challenges and changes in her daily routine. “Patients with dementia do not always understand why we have masks on. They really can find our disguised presence unsettling.” In addition, she said it has been difficult for palliative care patients and family members not being able to be together in the early days of the pandemic, due to visiting restrictions.
Despite these challenges, Annette has found ways to keep a positive mindset and sense of humour. She said it’s always the little things that bring her joy. Sometimes it’s seeing patients progress and be discharged home. Other times it’s a marriage proposal from a confused patient, or just a simple thank you that brings sunshine to the day.
During these extraordinary times, Annette has found personal and professional support from her co-workers. “I can’t stress enough how much I rely on my amazing and highly-skilled team. They are the best listeners and advisors. They make me love what I do.” She added, “even though we have bad days (because we are human), we have many, many giggles together.”
Visit us on social media each month to see who we are highlighting next:
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