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Michelle (pictured on the right) and Thaliyah are registered nurses (RNs) in the Women’s and Children’s program at Osler.
Michelle is a Labour and Delivery (L&D) nurse at Brampton Civic Hospital. One of the more experienced nurses on the unit, she has been working at Osler for 23 years. Each year, Michelle and her team support the delivery of about 5,000 babies into our growing community.
Thaliyah works on the Paediatrics unit at Etobicoke General Hospital and joined the organization in March 2021. Thaliyah and her team care for patients aged 0-18 years in need of medical assessment, treatment and/or management.
While their responsibilities and patient populations may differ, they share one common vision: to provide patient-inspired health care without boundaries.
Supporting and being supported
One of the things Michelle values most about her job is working alongside her colleagues. “I’m lucky to work with a group of professionals that feel more like family than colleagues. Everyone is so supportive. Sometimes that support is in a clinical setting with a patient, other times it’s in the breakroom when I just need someone to talk to. As nurses, we understand our work. We have so much to give, but sometimes it can be hard to stop and take care of ourselves. The team is great at checking in with one another and making sure we step back to take a breath when it’s needed.”
Thaliyah agrees that teamwork is vital to providing expert and compassionate care on the unit. “We always provide extra support to one another, especially when we’re doing certain procedures or tests. For example, if we’re placing an IV or doing bloodwork, we’ll have another nurse in the room with us to support the patient. They’ll comfort them, hold their hand and help position them in the best way so the procedure is done as quickly and comfortably as possible. It can be challenging to do some procedures with young patients as they’re understandably scared and sometimes confused, so it’s invaluable to have a team member present supporting the patient and myself.”
A culture of continuous learning
Michelle has been supporting patients through the labour and delivery journey for over two decades, yet she still finds opportunities to learn. “At Osler, there is education available to anyone who seeks it. We have an online learning system where we can take courses to build upon our clinical knowledge, and our unit holds education days where we’ll run through “mock” patient scenarios. We’re also encouraged to obtain further qualifications and certifications. All of these things ensure we are continuously improving our skillset.”
As a newer member of the program, Thaliyah looks to her colleagues for education and mentorship. “I first joined Osler as part of our Clinical Resource Team and worked in that role for five months before transitioning to paediatrics nine months ago. When I started on the unit, I was assigned a preceptor to orient me to the role and answer my questions. That made the transition so much easier. I can honestly say that I learn something new every single day that I come into work. Sometimes it’s from observing a colleague, and other times it’s from a question a patient or their parent asks that sparks a curiosity in me.”
Careers that go beyond
Ever since graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, L&D nursing has been Michelle’s passion. “I knew this is where I wanted to be. I support patients through one of their most intimate moments. Every single patient I meet leaves a lasting impression. I’ll sometimes run into former patients in town. They’ll come up to me and say, ‘Michelle, you delivered my baby!’ It may take some prompting to jog my memory if a few years have passed, but I’m always able to recall their unique experience and take a moment to reminisce with them.”
Thaliyah actually knew she wanted to work on her unit well before beginning nursing education. “When I was younger, I had some medical issues that landed me in hospital. What I remember most is how kind all of the nurses were. They made my time in hospital so much better, and I decided then that I wanted to work in paediatrics so I can be that person for other children who are hospitalized. Coming into work everyday and getting to make a patient smile or laugh, despite whatever illness or injury they may be facing, is what motivates me.”
Are you ready to join Michelle and Thaliyah?
Come join our diverse team of Osler Strong professionals! We’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, providing best-in-class care and opportunities for education and advancement in various nursing specialties.
Apply today to exciting roles in our Women’s and Children’s program at Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General.
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