“Nurses in Manitoba have so many opportunities. You can be in a position that works independently or on a team, there are many different sites and communities to work in, and there are opportunities to pursue leadership roles. Nursing is a great career choice that requires compassion, empathy, and problem-solving skills.”

“Nursing is not just about curing and healing, it’s helping patients live in those moments of panic, recovery, uncertainty, and even moments of acceptance. We’re there to provide as much care and support for them to live those moments and I think that’s very rewarding.”

“My work is very fulfilling, and I feel proud to work in mental health, advocating for my patients and making sure they get the information and resources that they need. One of the things I enjoy most about my work is that it every day is different, and I learn something new every day.”

“I’ve worked in oncology for most of my career, starting in a day unit in Yellowknife where we supported a small chemotherapy unit where patients came from across the territory.
Our team was responsible for everything, from bloodwork to tests to participating in rounds when the oncologist came from Edmonton once a month.
When my mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, we moved back to Winnipeg. I took a job at CancerCare in a role that gave me great exposure to the provincial health system, connecting me with clinics in different locations and disease sites.
When the nursing navigator program started in 2014, I was interested in the work and joined the team early in 2015. My previous experience, both in oncology and in public health, have helped me in my navigator work as I engage with partners or seek out resources for patients.
Our team has evolved and grown a lot since those early days but at our core we have the same goal. To support any patient with suspicion or diagnosis of cancer, connecting with them as early as possible, and offering them every kind of support along their journey.”

“Some people feel that a rural setting won’t give them the same experience as a large urban centre, but the truth is we’re a very fast-paced department. There are plenty of opportunities to build your skills, and even though I’ve worked as an emergency nurse for 15 years, I still feel like I’m learning something new every day.”

“Being able to care for Indigenous folks as an Indigenous nurse gives me kind of a unique perspective. I understand kind of the way they grew up, or ways of knowing the way family works. I also think it’s important to understand Indigenous history… Indigenous ways of knowing and knowledge, spirituality, everything like that. I think it’s important to have that perspective and it’s comforting for the patients to know that somebody understands them.”

“If you are coming out of nursing looking to start your career, you are going to have amazing experience here in Pine Falls. You’re going to get to see a little bit of everything… do a little bit of everything. We have leadership that’s very determined to make sure that people are getting the mentorship and the support that they need. We have got so many different services that we provide for community in the health complex here that it really gives a person an opportunity to flourish no matter what they are looking to grow in.”

“I make every effort to ensure my patients feel understood, respected and supported throughout their surgical journey. Our team relies upon close teamwork and collaboration across a wide variety of professions including nursing, surgeons and anesthesiologists.
We have a huge responsibility here. Our patients are vulnerable and we really speak for them. It’s work to be proud of.
It’s this collaborative spirit that creates high-functioning and efficient operating room environments where we can work together for our patients.”

“I have always liked working in a service type industry and hearing other people’s stories that I have met along the way. In health care, you meet people from all over the world.
I’m just really happy — becoming a nurse has been the perfect career choice for me.”

As a rural nurse, you’re so much more than your job title. There’s a certain kind of flexibility in rural nursing that allows you to develop your skills in different ways. You have the ability to jump in and get orientated on different units and if you show interest and want to learn, you can try it. All your career goals can be made possible here. There’s just so much room to grow.

“When you meet someone, who doesn’t like their job, you can tell – and that was me before I made the decision to become a nurse. It was such a big change, and I loved it. I wish I had jumped on this train way earlier.”