To mark National Nursing Week, I would like to extend a warm thank you to all nurses who work to support the health and well-being of BC First Nations.
Health and well-being is a lifelong journey and each of us needs a team to help achieve and maintain wellness. Our families, friends and healthcare providers all play distinct and important roles in this journey. For many First Nations in BC nurses are the primary healthcare provider and many have built deep and sustaining trust relationships with their local nurses.
Trust and relationships are important in healthcare. Community health nurses have been leaders in using a wellness-based approach by asking “What matters to you?” rather than the sickness focused “What is the matter with you?” In this way nurses are important wellness champions and allies in our respective wellness journeys.
Nurses are critical to the continuum of care. Long after the ambulance is gone- community health nurses remain. They care for our babies, are with us through the many lifecycle milestones, and often are there for our final journey to the spirit world.
This week I would like to additionally recognize the work of remote nurses. For BC’s remote communities, geographic complexity can result in challenging practice conditions. Our nurse’s ability to continually deliver excellent care under these conditions is a testament to their adaptability, creativity and commitment.
Please join me in congratulating our unsung heroes and show your love and appreciation for the nurses in your lives.
In Health and Wellness,
Joe Gallagher,
Chief Executive Officer, FNHA