This week, Northern Health celebrates Nursing in the Community Week (22 -28 September) to highlight the valuable and sometimes hidden contribution of nurses working in a wide range of areas outside the hospital setting.
“The work community nurses do is not unlike the work of nurses in a ward,” said Johanna Hayes, Hospital Without Walls and Sub Acute Division Director.
“It includes highly technical procedures such as those done by nurses in the Hospital in the Home Program or the Wound Clinic, expert assessments and interventions such as those done by nurses in Residential In-Reach, and care coordination like the Hospital Admission Risk Program and Transition Care Program.”
Like hospital nurses, community nurses work as part of the multidisciplinary team to provide holistic, person-centred care.
“Working with HITH brings me joy, as it allows me to support patients in their recovery while providing high quality compassionate care in their own home,” says Emily Papathanciou, HITH Registered Nurse.
“Often, it’s the simple things we do – linking clients to services, coordinating their care, or simply offering a friendly face that leave lasting impressions,” said Julinah Mohd Shariff, HARP Team Leader.
“Over the course of nearly 40 years as a nurse, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of settings. Each experience has shaped my practice, but working in the community has brought me the deepest sense of fulfillment. It’s in this space that I truly see the fruits of my labour – the real lasting impact of compassionate care.”
Julinah recalls a moment that really stands out.
“I received a phone call from a client I supported two years ago. She reached out just to say thank you for being there at the beginning, and for the support I provided when she needed it most.”
“What we do may not feel exceptional day-to-day, but we must never underestimate the profound impact it has. It’s those quiet victories, the ones that don’t make headlines, that define the heart of community nursing.”
Thank you to our wonderful community nurses for the amazing work you do outside the hospital!