During Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Meet Christina Johnson who works with the Nurse Led Outreach Team.

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Education/training

Before completing my education as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), I worked as a Registered Nurse in the Neurosurgical unit from 2004-2016 and then as a Clinical Stroke Nurse from 2016-2018. I graduated from Lakehead University in 2018 with my Master’s in Public Health and Nurse Practitioner certificate. I have had the opportunity to work in primary care and am now working at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with the Nurse-Led Outreach Team.

Why did you decided to become a Nurse Practitioner?

I have always loved learning and really enjoyed being a student. Once I obtained my degree in Nursing, I decided to keep going. I enjoy being able to review client histories, do full assessments and come up with differential diagnoses and treatment plans for clients.

Tell us about your role in your program.

The Nurse-Led Outreach Team has five NPs and one RN. As one of these NPs, I assess clients in Long Term Care Homes, Assisted Living Homes and Retirement Homes to help prevent avoidable Emergency room visits. We also help clients who do not have a primary provider with their medication refills and chronic issues. Emergency follow-ups with clients who have visited the ED are also completed to review our role and remind them to contact our team before accessing the ED for non-acute issues.

What is the most challenging part of your profession?

As a mobile-type clinic, it is sometimes difficult to see clients in their homes as it is not a scheduled appointment. A lot of times, we may be working with little to no information, especially if there is no family involved with the client. The multidisciplinary teams at these facilities are a lifeline for us, and we would not be able to work efficiently without their help.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

Being able to assess a client from start to finish and follow up to assess improvements is very rewarding. Most clients in the geriatric population are not keen to leave their apartments so having the ability to try to treat them at home is very appreciative to both the client and their families.

Do you have any advice for those considering a career as a Nurse Practitioner?

If you are passionate about the medical field and love learning, I say why not? Nurse Practitioners are very autonomous and it can be very rewarding career. It really opens a lot of doors as there are so many different areas a NP can have a career in.

Throughout NP Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at our Hospital. Today’s spotlight feature is Katie Cardy, who works in Central Intake.

Role: Nurse Practitioner in Central Intake

Education and Training
I graduated with my BScN in 2005 from Lakehead University with the honour of Valedictorian of my graduating class.  I immediately began my career at 3C Surgical as a full-time RN. I was among the first three RNs in Northwestern Ontario to complete the CNA Medical-Surgical Certification in 2011. My love of surgical nursing then took me to the Operating Room as an RN from 2013- 2023. This further developed my surgical skill set and knowledge, allowing me to take a leadership role as a resource in General Surgery, including gynecology, thoracics, and then specializing in vascular surgery. This impetus was to return to Lakehead for my MSN and Nurse Practitioner certificate. I have a passion for nursing, and this was a natural progression in my career.  After graduating from the MSN-PHCNP program at Lakehead in 2023, I took a role in Primary Care and continue to work in primary care while holding a full-time position as an NP in Central Intake.

Tell us about your role in your program.
My role focuses on Endoscopy and General Surgery, working collaboratively with specialists to provide patient consults and rapid access to care and procedures.  The most challenging part of our profession is time! Finding time between patients or after hours to keep up to date with the newest guidelines and practice standards is essential to our practice to provide evidence-based care. 

Do you have any advice for those considering a career as a Nurse Practitioner?
The most rewarding part of our role is the feeling you get inside when you have alleviated fears or concerns for your patient. They leave the interaction feeling supported, informed, and ready to proceed in their health care journey. If you’re thinking about becoming an NP, take the time to learn a variety of skill sets as an RN first. It is easy to take for granted the experiences you have in nursing that can better prepare you for the role as an NP that make you diverse and unique in your ability to provide health care. 

Throughout NP Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at our Hospital. Today’s spotlight feature is Taylor Thiessen, who works in the Cardiovascular Sciences Program.

Role: Cardiothoracic Nurse Practitioner

Education and Training
After finishing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, I completed specialty certification in critical care nursing while working on the Cardiovascular and Regional Stroke Unit. Following this, I worked in the Intensive Care Unit for several years before completing my Master of Nursing degree and the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program. I’ve also completed additional relevant courses such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and the Trauma Nursing Core Course. I would say that my experience in critical care nursing has been instrumental in my current role, both in terms of knowledge while managing acute inpatients, as well as with hands-on skills and troubleshooting.

Tell us about your role in your program.
My role currently involves both supporting the thoracic surgery program and assisting with the cardiovascular surgery program implementation. I work collaboratively with the surgeons and other interdisciplinary team members to assess, diagnose, and manage patient care throughout the perioperative period. I frequently see consultations for surgical consideration or related concerns, insert and manage drains within the pleural space, educate patients and families regarding their diagnoses and plans of care, and participate in clinical research and quality improvement initiatives. I’m also involved in the development of the cardiovascular surgery program within our facility, with the intent of eventually supporting this patient population as well. It’s an exciting new role for our facility that I am proud to be developing.                                               

Do you have any advice for those considering a career as a Nurse Practitioner?
Don’t let currently available job opportunities keep you from pursuing further education – you never know what opportunities will arise, as NPs become much more prevalent across our health care system!

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week is celebrated annually during the second week of November to recognize the exceptional care that these healthcare professionals provide to communities across Ontario.

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, NPs offer a comprehensive range of services, including ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests; diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions; prescribing medications and treatments; and managing overall patient care. They play a crucial role in various hospital services, including but not limited to Cancer Management, Surgical Services, Cardiology, the Regional Stroke Program, the Hospitalist Program, and the Nurse-Led Outreach Team, which supports long-term care facilities in the community.

We invite you to join us in expressing gratitude to our past and present NPs for their commitment to our patients and their essential contributions to patient care. To learn more about NPs click here: NPAO_Infosheet-2023-1.pdf

Stay tuned! Throughout NP Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at our Hospital.

Across generations, Canadians have dedicated their lives to preserve peace. Today on Remembrance Day, we thank all veterans, members of the armed forces, and those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Throughout NP Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at our Hospital. Today’s spotlight feature Jacqueline Marsh, NP-PHC, MSN.

Education and Training

I graduated from Lakehead University with my Master’s of Nursing, PHC-Nurse practitioner in 2024.

Why did you decide to become a Nurse Practitioner?
My experience as a COVID-19 nurse during the pandemic inspired me to become a Nurse Practitioner. That challenging time in healthcare made me realize the importance of health care providers and their role in patient care and education. I decided that I wanted to further my knowledge and education and expand my scope of practice. 

Tell us about your role in your program.
In my program, my role is to triage endoscopy referrals, consult with patients prior to endoscopy procedures, and manage primary care gastrointestinal conditions for patients who do not have a primary care provider. I also work in collaboration with the general surgeons in surgery clinics for hernia repairs and cholecystectomies. 

What is the most challenging part of your profession?
As a new graduate, one of the most challenging aspects is building confidence within my expanded scope of practice. Transitioning from a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner brings a new level of responsibility in diagnosing, prescribing, and managing care independently, which can feel overwhelming at times. Additionally, staying current with medical knowledge is essential, as new research, guidelines, and treatment approaches are constantly emerging. Balancing the demands of patient care with the commitment to continuous learning requires dedication and resilience. However, I view these challenges as opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my profession is working with patients without a primary care provider, managing their conditions and seeing their health improve over time. It’s incredibly fulfilling to build a therapeutic relationship with these patients and to play a role in helping them achieve better health outcomes. Additionally, I appreciate the diversity of my patient population, as it allows me to work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives that enrich my practice. 

Do you have any advice for those considering a career as a Nurse Practitioner?
If you’re passionate about expanding your scope of practice, enjoy a wide range of career opportunities, and have a strong interest in primary care, becoming an NP can be incredibly rewarding. NPs can work independently and provide comprehensive care, building long-term relationships with patients and managing a variety of conditions. This role is particularly impactful in regions like Northwestern Ontario, where access to healthcare can be limited.

TBRHSC’s EFAP provider, Thunder Bay Counselling, will be on site November 8 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for staff to learn more about their services. 

They will have a booth set up at the bottom of the grand stair case.

Staff are encouraged to attend the upcoming Lunch and Learn, on November 7 & 8, in recognition of Treaty Recognition Week 2024 (November 3-9, 2024).

We will be viewing a series of short videos, where we will hear Indigenous speakers share their knowledge about the importance of treaties, treaty relationships and rights in Ontario.

There will be two sessions, each session will show different videos from the series, Indigenous Voices on Treaties. Both events will take place in ICP Main from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Session 1 (November 7, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.):

1. Chad Solomon (and Rabbit) on what is a promise
2. Maurice Switzer on what is a treaty anyway
3. Brenda Collins on what is a Wampum belt
4. Robert Greene on how treaties affect all aspects of life
5. Bentley Cheechoo on becoming a treaty Knowledge Keeper
6. Darrell Boissoneau on pre-Confederation treaties
7. Bentley Cheechoo on treaties’ impact on his family

Session 2 (November 8, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.):

1. Gerry Duquette Jr. on treaty responsibilities
2. Ange Loft on the importance of gift giving
3. Sylvia Maracle on how the treaty process has changed
4. Cora-Lee McGuire-Cyrette on oral history and women’s role in treaty signing
5. Maurice Switzer on reconciliation and treaty recognition
6. Anne Taylor on Treaty 20 and land stewardship
7. Doug Williams on treaties’ impact on First Nations languages and cultures

Raffle Alert: Each session attended will quality you for 1 ballot entry for a prize basket.  Draw to be done on Monday, November 11.

Please register for each session by clicking on the links below:
Session 1: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1058842599719?aff=oddtdtcreator
Session 1: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1058758789039?aff=oddtdtcreator

Lunch to be provided. Please bring your own beverage.

Happy Ethics Week!

As part of our Ethics Week celebration, we’re excited to highlight the role ethics plays in various areas across the organization with a feature called “Faces of Ethics.” Ethics is for everyone, and together, we can make decisions that matter.

Indigenous Care Coordinators

What does your department do?

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), in collaboration with Anishnawbe Mushkiki and Grand Council Treaty #3, has established Indigenous Care Coordinators (ICCs) to support Indigenous inpatients through culturally sensitive care and Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC). ICCs help Indigenous patients navigate health and mental health services, act as liaisons with local organizations, and advocate for patients’ needs.

ICCs work in collaboration with all TBRHSC support staff such as social workers, patient flow coordinators, nurses and physicians to ensure culturally safe care and discharge enhancing patient satisfaction and experience through comprehensive, culturally respectful care.

Their services include:

• Language support in Cree, Oji-Cree, and Ojibwe
• Culturally sensitive education and information
• Coordination of discharge planning and connection to community resources
• Arranging traditional care, spiritual support, and iPad lending for virtual connections
• Assisting with health benefits, assisted living arrangements, and equipment needs

Learn more by watching this video or reading this information sheet.

What ethical questions arise in your area?

Indigenous family structures go beyond the nuclear families living under one roof. Their views are interconnected to the land and have strong ties to relationships from families, communities, and Nations. Each community has unique values and beliefs based on their Indigenous teachings of health, illness, birth, and death and will differ across our region. Suffering from Canada’s past histories of residential schools, Indian hospitals, and lack of basic care have made Indigenous populations vulnerable, with many unmet basic health needs and medical equipment in their communities.

Ethical questions that arise include:

• Having to mediate who the family decision maker will be
• Refusal of traditional items or requests
• Refusing medications based on discrimination
• Ensuring traditional end of life ceremonial requests are approved

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Ethics Affects Us All. If you’re facing an ethical dilemma or have questions, reach out to the Bioethicist, or a member of the ethics committee for support.

Bioethicist: Michelle Allain – michelle.allain@tbh.net | 807-630-0406