Nursing ‘an art and a science’
OMNI homes recognize registered staff
Thursday, May 17, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Willows Estate recently recognized its employees who chose nursing as a profession and long-term care as the sector in which to work.

With National Nursing Week celebrated throughout the country May 7 to 13, the Aurora long-term care home showed appreciation for its registered staff with a luncheon May 8. The purpose of the week is to acknowledge the contributions of nurses from all healthcare sectors.

Rosemary Ferraro, director of care at Willows Estate, says it’s important to set aside time for appreciation.

“Everyone celebrates nursing week to show appreciation (for those) who choose nursing as a profession, who choose to work here and to express appreciation on behalf of the residents for the care that they (provide),” says Ferraro.

“Nursing is an art and a science. There’s the science of nursing. You add care to it and it becomes an art,” she says. “You have to appreciate someone who dedicates their life to that. It also takes a lot of education and training.”

Willows Estate held a luncheon and invited its 10 registered staff.

Rosebridge Manor in Jasper also recognized its nurses by holding a chili fest and a tea. As well, administrator Dorothy Broeders-Morin purchased seven bound volumes of the magazine, Nursing Jocularity.

“As a registered nurse, I have personally seen the impact of taking yourself too seriously,” Broeders-Morin shares in an e-mail to the OMNIway. 

“In order to survive and thrive in today's challenging times we must make a commitment to a light-hearted approach to life and work and relationship. We need to put fun back into the workplace and promote and develop therapeutic humour. Staff, residents, family, visitors and volunteers need to use humour to improve their working environment, employee relations, resident satisfaction, and stress reduction."

The administrator says that led her to purchase the magazines which she felt tied in with OMNI’s values of fun and laughter in the workplace.

In addition, the Jasper home held a draw for two nursing staff to attend an education day on diabetes and another two employees to take part in the LTC Collaborative Network Day on stroke strategy, best practices, palliative care, intimacy and sexuality in people with cognitive impairment. All are invited to dinner with a guest speaker on stress in the workplace courtesy of Medical Pharmacy.