In honour of Nursing Week: Four KDH Nurses who “Answered the Call”

The theme for National Nursing Week 2022, May 9-15, is, “We Answer the Call”. It offered an excellent opportunity to ask Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) nurses, ‘Why did YOU become a nurse?’ We were delighted and grateful to hear from four nurses who generously shared their unique stories.

Fallon Gluck, RN, Manager of Nursing Services.   When I was six years old, I broke my arm in two places after falling off a slide in my parents’ backyard. The extraordinary care I received from an Emergency Room nurse that evening stayed with me throughout my childhood and teenage years. I knew I wanted to touch people’s lives in the same way my nurse had.  I’ve never once regretted my career choice and although I don’t practice clinical nursing anymore, I am so proud to be a nurse and collaborate with the inspiring nurses at KDH to deliver excellent patient care every day.  Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am always so proud to share how much our nurses truly care about our patients.  It is humbling, and a privilege, to walk among them.

A group of Nurses who work on KDH’s inpatient units.

Sarah Linney, RN.   Growing up and into adulthood I had many difficult experiences related to my health, my family and other aspects of my life. Nursing was not my first career choice. The tech crash in the ‘90s altered the course of my career permanently. I noticed that I was spending a lot of time caring for others and helping them through my experiences when they encountered difficulties in their health and lives. I realized that nursing was my calling and kept rolling from there.

Linda Morton, RPN.  I have had a few careers while journeying through this thing called life. The main three were military, real estate broker, and then Nursing.  I have always enjoyed working with people and having the pleasure of being able to help them along in life. When I was in my 40’s, I felt the need to help people on a more personal level, so I decided to go back to school to take up Nursing. Nursing is so rewarding and has a lot of job satisfaction. When people are ill, they are so vulnerable, frightened of the unknown, the loss of control to strangers who are poking and prodding, and in unfamiliar surroundings. I get much satisfaction to be able to comfort them by explaining procedures, building a trusting relationship and genuinely listening, encouraging and helping make the best of their experience while keeping their dignity intact. I strongly believe that humour and physical contact are very important in the healing process. A hug or holding a hand shows genuine care, compassion and empathy. I envision myself being in the patient’s shoes. My motto is always treat the patient the way I (or a family member) would like to be treated. I have nursed for 17 years.  I have not only had the privilege of touching many people’s lives – and they mine – but I also find the nursing profession very humbling.  I’ve been so blessed to have my life enriched with fond memories of sharing laughter, tears, and sadness with patients and their family members. I will always treasure the “calling” experience.

Amanda Quig, RN.   Before I was a nurse, I worked as a lab technician at Brockville General Hospital. When I would take blood in the ER, ICU (Intensive Care Unit), and PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit), I would always be amazed by the intelligence, compassion, strength, and teamwork of the nurses in those units. I took those character strengths that I saw in those nurses with me and applied them to school. Thankfully, I got accepted as a mature student. Nurses have many ups and downs in our careers, and it’s hard work physically and mentally. But, I have never looked back and said I regret becoming a nurse. There are so many amazing people that we work with – nurses, physicians, and other allied health professionals –  and we all rely on each other to give good help, and I love that. I like to think I did answer the call, as I would not be happy doing something other than healthcare.

At KDH we are grateful for our highly skilled, professional, and compassionate nurses during Nursing Week, and every other day of the year!

ABOUT KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of Building Healthier Communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system.

 For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

Kemptville District Hospital

jread@kdh.on.ca