As we celebrate National Nursing Week May 6th to 12th, the theme "Changing Lives, Shaping Tomorrow" reminds us of the important role nurses play in healthcare.
Island Health is grateful to the many nurses who work in a variety of settings across Vancouver Island. Their dedication, skills, and kindness have and continue to leave a lasting impact on patients, clients and communities. Here are some of their stories.
Jo-Anne Cole: Guiding Patients on their Diabetes Journey
Jo-Anne Cole, registered nurse
Jo-Anne Cole is a registered nurse (RN) who works within Island Health’s Seniors Health & Community Virtual Care and specializes in diabetes care. With a passion for science, health, and helping others, Cole found her calling in nursing.
"I felt that nursing was a career that combined my interests in science, health, and the desire to help people,” shared Cole. “It is a career that has provided me with meaningful work and has been very rewarding."
Through her expertise and guidance, Cole has empowered countless patients living with diabetes to take control of their health. "A particular patient I worked with felt like it was the turning point in her understanding of the connection between her food intake, behaviour, and blood glucose," said Cole. "Her blood glucose improved dramatically afterward, as she felt empowered to improve her glucose management."
At the core of Cole's practice lies the fundamental qualities of caring and compassion. "I try to think about providing patient-centered care, and meeting a person where they are at in their health journey," she said.
Reflecting on how nurses can help shape the future, Cole sees an evolving and expanded role for Diabetes Nurse Educators, extending their reach beyond traditional settings.
Jody Sawchyn: Bridging the Gap for Marginalized Communities
Jody Sawchyn, clinical coordinator for Primary Care Outreach
Jody Sawchyn, a Nanaimo-based clinical coordinator for Primary Care Outreach (PCO) within the Mental Health and Substance Use program, has been instrumental in changing lives and shaping the future of health care access for marginalized communities.
Recalling her promise to her grandfather when he was in the hospital that "Someday I am going to be a nurse so I can look after you," Sawchyn's journey led her to become a fierce advocate for the underserved.
Through the PCO program, Sawchyn and her colleagues provide low-barrier healthcare to unhoused and precariously housed individuals.
"PCO provides low-barrier health care to our unhoused/precariously housed, marginalized community members who are also highly vulnerable to the toxic drug supply," said Sawchyn. "These are folks who historically would have a difficult time accessing mainstream health care and who have lost trust in the health care system as a result of stigma or trauma."
Outreach nurses like Sawchyn possess an incredible capacity to build trust and relationships.
"We are a true outreach team – providing care out of our medical van, on the sidewalks, in the parks...wherever people are," shared Sawchyn. "The approach this team offers is entirely rooted in harm reduction and trauma-informed care."
Kenneth Hill: Giving Back with Empathy and Compassion
Kenneth Hill, licensed practical nurse
Kenneth Hill, a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Renal Unit, was inspired to pursue nursing after receiving exceptional care as a chronic kidney disease patient.
"My inspiration for becoming a nurse was due to the amazing care I received at BC Children’s Hospital. I wanted to give back to the system that took such great care of me, and I was at a point in my life where I had the opportunity to change my career, so I took the leap into nursing."
Hill has been a renal patient himself for most of his life. He was one of the first patients in BC's home nocturnal dialysis program 18 years ago. He has had two failed kidney transplants due to his original condition, Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), which destroyed his kidneys at age 16. His life experience with renal care and dialysis makes his current role a natural fit.
Although relatively new to the hemodialysis unit, Hill strives to make every patient feel supported by providing individualized care tailored to their unique needs. He understands that each patient's journey is different, and his approach is grounded in empathy and non-judgment.
"Empathy is one key skill to being a nurse. It's important to not be judgmental about our patients, and their histories, behaviors, etc.," shared Hill.
Hill hopes that the invaluable contributions nurses make, providing care with unwavering commitment and positivity, even in the most difficult situations, will continue to be celebrated. "Nursing is a very rewarding and often thankless job, but one that I love, and will do until I retire," he added.
Jaime Guthrie: Bringing Compassionate Care to Communities
Jaime Guthrie, public health nurse in Child, Youth & Family Health
Jaime Guthrie, a Public Health Nurse in Child, Youth & Family Health, always knew she wanted a career in healthcare. "As I progressed through my RN education, I was inspired by the trust that people have in nurses and the discovery that it is such an immense privilege to walk alongside individuals during their most vulnerable times and through their successes," Guthrie said.
One of Guthrie’s biggest passions in her current work is the ability to bring and deliver health services to outlying communities. “During the COVID-19 mass clinics, I assisted in planning for and participated in clinics for remote areas like Cortes, Quadra, Read Island, Zeballos, Sayward, Gold River, and Tahsis,” she said.
Public Health Nurses are specialists in preventative and population health, and Guthrie is excited to see how these roles will adapt and change in the coming years. As a team, they continually identify quality improvement opportunities and stay attuned to the needs of the communities.
As nurses work through stressful times and situations, Guthrie emphasizes the importance of kindness towards health care teams, so they can work together to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Amber Louie: Championing Indigenous Health Equity
Amber Louie, registered nurse with the Indigenous Health program
Amber Louie, a member of the Ktunaxa First Nation, is a registered nurse with the Indigenous Health program at Island Health. She is a fierce advocate dedicated to improving Indigenous health outcomes and achieving health equity for Indigenous peoples.
"My dad was at the Coqualeetza Indian Hospital as a child and that would influence my journey into health care," said Louie. Her father's traumatic experiences within the health care system guided Louie to witness first-hand the critical need to provide culturally safe care and address systemic barriers and harms that Indigenous communities face.
"You can't act if you can't see white supremacy. You can't act when you don't understand how our systems are causing these health disparities," said Louie.
Louie takes a trauma-informed, strength-based approach in her nursing practice, striving to create safe spaces for Indigenous patients. "One of the most rewarding moments is when you see a shift in staff behaviours and attitudes, and patients report feeling safe and cared for," she described.
Through education, relationship building, and policy change, Louie works to foster cultural humility and eradicate racism within healthcare. She has been instrumental in supporting the development of regulatory standards on Indigenous cultural safety and humility.
As Island Health renews its commitment to reconcile with Indigenous peoples, Louie sees nurses playing a crucial role as allies and accomplices.
"It starts with you and requires your everyday attention to unlearn and undo what you have learned. We all have spheres of influence that we can use," Louie urged fellow nurses.
Thank you, Nurses!
From empowering patients with chronic conditions to bridging the gap for marginalized communities, nurses are the driving force behind a more equitable, accessible, and patient-centered health care system.
As we honour their contributions during National Nursing Week, let us also renew our appreciation for the tireless efforts of nurses who shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.