None of this is okay

The Minister of Health stood in our facility to say that the Northern Health Regional Authority has received the funding. That’s a total lie. We are suffering here. We are not safe. We are breaking down day after day. What a waste of a stop on the infamous Bullshift Tour.

I never felt like I needed to purchase the supplementary nursing protection insurance until now. The risk is too high. This year, I felt like I needed to do that because every single day, I fear my licence is in jeopardy. I am constantly put into impossible situations.

Oftentimes, our job is to get patients stable enough to transport and pray the weather cooperates…

A lot of times, we will end up admitting patients into ER rooms, which means we have to close the department. When we do that, it impacts Selkirk. We just don’t have enough space.

We have to keep greylisting enacted. We need to be able to get to our vehicles safely. And not wait 15 minutes every shift. It’s not the fault of those who are driving. They’re doing a great job. We just need more of them.

Nurses need help. Our circadian rhythms are all screwed up. We are anxious. Have physical ailments. Low morale. And yet we’re the ones bringing in the food. The baking. The holiday spirit. Trying to keep everyone buoyant.

Seniors need to be supported in the community, and unfortunately, there aren’t enough beds. So they get stuck in rehabilitation. It’s so sad for them. A positive would be that we get to know the patients really well.

Why is healthcare never proactive? The moral distress that nurses have to face daily is exhausting.