Lac La Biche nurses love rural practice and lifestyle
Channel: RhPAP
Date: 2020-11-23

Nurses at the William J Cadzow - Lac La Biche Regional Healthcare Centre share why they love rural practice.

Jayde Hein, a registered nurse, grew up in Lac La Biche but she moved to Saskatchewan when she was 13. Recently, her roots called her back.

“I love rural nursing,” says Jayde Hein. “I just love all the variety of patients you see,” “[You could] start the day off within maternity and then you can have mental health patients, pediatric [and] palliative patients. So, you get to use all of your skills.”

Haley Tichonuk, a licensed practical nurse, also grew up in Lac La Biche. 

“I'm always learning, which I love,” says Tichonuk. “I get to see all ages of patients from infants all the way to geriatric.”

Debieann Wilson grew up in Jamaica. After practising as a registered nurse in Miami and Toronto, she made her way to Alberta, first to McLennan and now in Lac La Biche. She says one of the things she loves most about practising in Lac La Biche is the opportunity to learn and expand your skills.

“Anywhere you throw me, I'm right in there,” remarks Wilson. “I'm ready. I accept the challenges.”

Lisa Sparks, a registered nurse and care manager at the Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre, manages the nursing team. She came to Lac La Biche from England. Originally, she planned to stay for just a couple of years. It's now been six years and she has no plans to move. "We're very much firmly entrenched in the Lac La Biche community," says Sparks. "We live near beautiful lakes and campsites, and we enjoy the outdoor life.”

Sparks admires the dedication of the nursing team in Lac La Biche.

“The nurses that work rurally are like no other team of nurses that I've worked with in the way that they're able to work autonomously, in the way that they're able to just adapt to any situation, anything that comes through the door,” says Sparks.

Sparks encourages new nurses to consider working rurally in a place like Lac La Biche.

“For any young nurse coming [to a rural hospital], you will never get an experience like you will in a rural health-care setting,” adds Sparks. “It's just a great opportunity."