National Nursing Week - Spotlight - Dorothy

“I came out of retirement during the pandemic and it has been an honour to see and witness the unwavering commitment from the whole healthcare community.”

Last spring, as hospitals braced for the oncoming surge in patients and prepared for the worst-case scenarios that they were seeing in Italy and Europe, many regulated health colleges put out a call to individuals who were previously registered to see if they would return to their profession to help.

Dorothy was one of those regulated health professionals who answered the call.  

As an NP with 31 years of experience, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, Dorothy came out of a two-year retirement to work as an NP in palliative care.

“I do look forward to retiring again one day, but in the meantime, I absolutely love doing what I do.”

To Dorothy, being a nurse is a profession that combines knowledge, critical thinking, observational and assessment skills.

“It’s a profession you bring your heart and soul into, it teaches you so much about humans, humanity and yourself.”

Over the last 14 months, our nurses at Joseph Brant Hospital have gone above and beyond in providing our patients and their loved ones with quality, compassionate care. Throughout each wave of the pandemic they rose to the challenge to ensure that patients received the care they needed and their loved ones received words of comfort during these long months.

“It is an extremely difficult time for many. I see the fatigue in my colleagues but I also see their dedication and determined commitment to see this through.”

Over the last year, Dorothy has been working behind her mask and face shield to provide palliative care to her patients. A service that can be much more difficult as a result of personal protective equipment and physical distance requirements between individuals. However, Dorothy said that she’s struck by the power of presence as a result and so much can be said without words to support those who are suffering and who are scared.  So much can be shared through a caring look, a twinkle in the eye or a tear.

“Everyone is separated right now by 2 meters and a mask, but I have never felt more connected to my fellow human beings. Connected through our struggle, through the uncertainty, and through our hope and commitment to each other.”

We asked Dorothy if she could sum up her role as a nurse in three words.

“Labour of love.”

Thank you Dorothy for answering the call and providing our patients with exemplary service and compassionate care.