This Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, we are highlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Meet Katy Drainville, who works in Interventional Pain Service.

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Katy Drainville, NP, Invertentional Pain Service

Why did you decide to become a Nurse Practitioner?

I chose to become a Nurse Practitioner because I wanted to expand my ability to help patients. This role allows me to take a more active part in diagnosing, managing, and improving the overall quality of care for those I serve.

Tell us about your current role.

I work in the Interventional Pain Service, where our focus is on helping patients manage chronic pain through comprehensive assessment and minimally invasive procedures. Our goal is to restore function, reduce suffering, and improve quality of life.

What is the most challenging part of your profession?

The most challenging aspect of my work is recognizing that not every patient’s pain can be treated. It can be difficult when the best care still leaves someone struggling. The other challenge telling patient the wait time to actually get an x-ray guided injection, but that’s a challenge for another day!

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

The most rewarding part of my role is hearing how our service has made a difference in our patients’ lives — when they share that they can move better, sleep better, or simply enjoy daily activities again. Those moments remind me why this work matters.

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

Pursue it wholeheartedly. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner allows you to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives while continuing to grow as a clinician and advocate. It’s a deeply fulfilling path for those who value connection, critical thinking, and compassionate care.