National Nursing Week is May 8-14 and to celebrate, we are highlighting a few of the nurses who make up the Provincial Health Services Authority team. Inspired by this year’s theme of “our nurses, our future”, we asked these nurses why they chose the profession, what continues to inspire them and what advice they would have for someone considering a career in nursing.
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Sherri DiLallo, RN, BScN, MN, director, Indigenous Health, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital
Sherri decided she wanted to be a nurse after her younger sister died at 3 ½ years old. She knew she wanted to work in the medical field and help people. She went back to school at 25 to pursue her nursing degree and hasn’t looked back since.
“I’ve been a nurse for 25 years now. My passion is Indigenous health services. I want to make the health care system a safe place for Indigenous people, a place where they feel welcomed and get the health care they deserve,” says Sherri, a Metis from Northern Saskatchewan.
“I feel privileged to be a nurse and be able to serve others. I strive to provide an environment of compassion, care, kindness and education for patients, families and communities so that they can be the best they can be.”
If someone is considering a career in nursing, Sherri’s advice is to follow your passion. “Nurses can bring about change in the health-care system. We have the courage to share our knowledge and our wisdom and to be the voice of patients, families and communities.”
Read more about nurses at
BC Children's and
BC Women's.
Andrea Fouchard, RN, Oak Tree Clinic, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Her experience as a patient inspired Andrea to pursue a career in nursing. “Seeing how dedicated my nurses were, how they advocated for me really inspired me.”
“As a nurse, I am pulled into people’s lives at a traumatic time, and I feel lucky that I can help them move to through that challenge to a happier time,” notes Andrea. “In my work at the
Oak Tree Clinic, I have the unique opportunity to build trust with patients and families and be with them over the years as they grow and thrive.”
A nurse since 2019, Andrea sees many opportunities for a rewarding career in nursing. “There are so many options open to you, so many ways you can learn and grow. No two days are the same and you’ll always have a chance to experience something new.”
Read more about nurses at
BC Women's.
Kate always loved science and after completing a master’s in science, she found herself working in a genetics lab. She loved the science but missed working directly with people. That prompted her to shift gears and pursue a nursing degree.
“I am inspired by nurses who are able to work in relationship with clients to create a better, more culturally safe health care system for everyone,” says Kate who has worked in public health for her 15-year nursing career. “I’m also inspired by teams of health-care professionals who work together to braid many types of expertise into furthering best practice and improved health outcomes.”
“Nursing is a rewarding career as you can walk alongside people in their health journey and provide help in many different ways,” notes Kate. “And there are so many ways to do this, from acute care to public health and from bedside nursing to education and policy.”
Read more about nurses at
BC Centre for Disease Control.
Kim Oquendo, RN, Operating Room, BC Children’s Hospital
Growing up in the Philippines, Kim was surrounded by health-care professionals. His mom was a nurse and he admired how passionate, loving and caring she was with her patients. He chose to follow in her footsteps and he was ultimately drawn to specializing in operating room nursing.
He loves the ability to make a positive impact on people's overall health and well-being. “It is rewarding and tremendously satisfying when our team works as a cohesive unit and achieves a successful surgical intervention for a child,” says Kim. “Putting smiles back on children's faces and alleviating their families’ stress inspire me to be a better nurse.”
Kim encourages people interested in nursing to do some research about the different specialities and choose one that really interests them. “Every day at this job is a completely unique experience, and you will face so many different challenges that will expand your knowledge and hone your skills to become better,” offers Kim. “With nursing, you will make a huge difference and a positive impact on people's lives, and that is something to be proud of.”
Read more about nurses at
BC Children's.
Brittany Schultz, RN, BScN, clinical nurse educator, BC Cancer Centre for the North (Prince George)
Brittany has been a nurse for 14 years and with BC Cancer for nearly nine. Her desire to pursue nursing started when she was studying biology in university. At that point, she was preparing to write the entrance exams for medical school and become a pediatrician.
“I realized I wasn’t excited for medical school and all the years of training ahead of me. The option to complete nursing school in four years and begin working as a pediatric nurse right away was a huge draw,” recalls Brittany.
“I love the ability to connect and build relationships with patients and families, learning what matters most to them and helping them realize those priorities,” says Brittany.
“In my current role as a clinical nurse educator, I am inspired by the opportunities I get to connect with all the new nurses and patient care aides in provincial orientation. It is so rewarding to work with eager new staff and guide them through the oncology world at BC Cancer.”
Brittany notes that while a career in nursing is demanding, it also offers many opportunities to learn and grow.
Read more about nurses at
BC Cancer.
Sunny Toor, LPN, Correctional Health Services, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services
As a child, Sunny travelled from the Interior to Vancouver regularly. Her dad had been injured at work and was in and out of hospital for years and she accompanied his to his appointments. The kindness and attention she received from the nurses inspired her to pursing nursing.
She’s been a nurse for 10 years now, first in hospice care and then with Correctional Health Services for the past seven. No matter where she practices her profession, she knows that at the end of the day, she is making a difference.
“As a nurse, I have the opportunity to be the voice and face of what health care should be. Everyone has a story and no matter what their background, they all deserve the best care you can offer.”
She encourages others to pursue a career in nursing if they are committed to making a difference in other people’s lives. “The care you deliver is literally priceless.”
Read more about nurses at
BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
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