Nurses working in addiction treatment shine as health care heroes

Nurses working in addiction treatment shine as health care heroes

National Nursing Week banner imageMay 8-14 is National Nursing Week in Canada, marked by the Canadian Nurses Association as an annual reminder of the critical role nurses play in health care delivery. There are currently 178 highly-skilled nurses working at CATC across our extensive network of 80+ rapid access outpatient and intensive inpatient addiction treatment centres.  As core members of our specialized care teams, they deliver exceptional, evidence-based and person-centred care that helps people along the road to recovery.  

It’s not an understatement to say that, without our nurses, we simply would not be able to provide care for the nearly 19,000 Canadians who trust us with their health each month. 

Celebrate a nurse in your life 

This year’s National Nursing Week theme is “Our Nurses. Our Future.” There’s also a social media campaign #HeyNurse, encouraging people from all walks of life to say “thanks” to a nurse that they know. To celebrate our dedicated team of nurses, we asked them to snap a photo of themselves at work, and tell us what being a nurse means to them. We’ve collected a few of their answers below! 

Thank you, Rebecca Myers

“Being a nurse, especially with OATC, means I can do what I love to do. I get to help my patients in any way I can, be it giving medication, completing their bloodwork, or just being that friendly ear when they need someone to talk to ” – Rebecca Myers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Stacy Lynn“A nurse is not what you do. It is what you are… I am a nurse. It’s not what I do, it’s what I am.” -unknown

“Being a nurse means I have the opportunity to help others in their time of need. I am proud to be their rock in a scary situation and, at the same time, able to show my knowledge in skills and empathy for others. To me, it is the most rewarding experience. ” Stacy Lynn

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Kara Speedie“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be Kind. Always.” -Robin Williams

“These are words I live by.  If I can make a difference in someone’s life each and every day, my heart is full.” – Kara Speedie

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Marisa McMenamie“To me, nursing is providing judgement free care to people of all walks of life. A huge part of nursing is teamwork. I’m lucky to have the best nursing partners beside me at OATC Hamilton.” – Marisa McMenamie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you , Mairi Lindsay

“I’m Mairi, i’m the clinic nurse for OATC Huntsville and I do this job for the patients, getting to see and support them achieve personal milestones is one of the most rewarding parts of being a nurse :)” – Mairi Lindsay

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Chelsea, Krisa and Shubhexa!“Being a nurse means saving lives and empowering our patients and their families with knowledge”

-Chelsea Heaney, Krisa Yanson, Shubhexa Parajuli

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Jenny and Erica!

Thank you Jenny and Erica for providing unwavering support for our patients in Renfrew!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While everyone becomes a nurse for their own reasons, the common thread is clear: nurses do what they do because they care. If you’d like to join the conversation around celebrating nurses, you can download the #HeyNurse toolkit on the Canadian Nurses Association website. 

Thank you, nurses! You’re all health care heroes. 

Get help now 

If you’re living with problematic substance use or know someone who needs help, our friendly care teams are only a call or email away. When you’re ready to take that first step toward recovery, we’re here for you! 

Call 1.877.937.2282 or fill out our help form to get started.