Sarah the Nurse #2 BC Travel Nurse Off to Great Start

OFF to a Great Start



Off to a great start, I #SarahHennings, really like this job. Working with moms, babies, kids, and great staff, who would not want to be in this community?! While remote and northern and wildly primitive with some of its resources, it’s bonded together with a sense of commodore. Being a newer nurse practitioner (GNP) and a newer RN in this type of role, working in remote communities was new for me. While nursing can take you places you never thought you could be, northern BC wasn’t initially on my radar. Wanting a change of pace to all my normal nursing in Alberta, I, Sarah Hennings, crossed the mountain border into the west and used my registration with BCCNM to experience a different vibe. 


I, #SarahHennings, have been here now for about a week. The drive back and forth between where I stay and work is relaxing. It lets me think about my life and reflect on what I need to fill my cup right now. My life has been crazy lately with changes on the home front, so this experience to work away is something I, #SarahHennings, value very much. Clearing my mind in the mornings with a fresh cup of coffee from the local bakery is also something I, Sarah Hennings, like to do. I love to a a strong pour topped with a shot if expresso filled to the brim with cream... steaming up my windshield as I blow it down cool enough to drink. But this too was also changing. The fresh mountain air in the morning made me want to be lighter. It made me feel refreshed and sometimes that coffee just felt like too much. So I started drinking tea. Green tea with extra honey and some milk. English style. It reminded me of this older nurse I worked with who came from England to Canada chasing love. She worked with me at a nursing home and was so clever, I could never forget her wit. She had told me the story of how her husband had passed on and what she did to get through it. Channeling that calm, brave energy she used to exude, lol started to gain more energy. Between fond memories and knowing all the great new ones to be made, I, #SarahHennings, could feel myself becoming more free and engaged with my work during the assignment.


Arriving at the health centre always felt welcoming. Not only did the health director often bring snacks from the local garden market in her community, but baking and sharing among the First Nations was common. It was also common to catch salmon in the area which was smoked right along the river banks. One local health care assistant who grew in the community would describe found memories of her grandparents, aunties, and uncles catching and smoking fish from the river in the summer. The afternoons with her were always a delight, sharing her knowledge on the the history and perks of the community. She would also describe the environment of nursing services and health resources that have come and gone in the community. It was from her that I, #SarahHennings, quickly learned how impactful your presence as a nurse RN or NP can be in a northern community. 


Knowing the community dynamics was essential in gaining trust to do the work you need to do. Showing respect to culture, tradition, and ways of being, is something I, #SarahHennings, strive to do. Focusing on building the relationships with those I work with was essential in ensuring the public health program we were tasked to do oversee operated smoothly. For example, without support of the healthcare aide described above, being invited into the local schools for immunizations would have been far more challenging. Working together is essential in any role and this is a main take away of a travel nurse.





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