30/05/2022
I am a Nurse Practitioner.
I became interested in medicine as a teenager and worked through my high school years as a veterinarian assistant. After witnessing my friend in a motorcycle accident, I recognized that I was able to remain focused and calm during the emergency. This experience combined with my interest in medicine, made a career in nursing seem like a good fit. Once I graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1984, I worked in various places throughout the hospital. In 1992, while working in the Emergency Department, I was approached by a colleague asking if I would be interested in joining a team that they were forming that would respond and provide medical/forensic care to sexual assault survivors.
This little, but mighty team of dedicated nurses and social workers has evolved to include care to survivors of sexual assault/abuse and/or domestic violence, both acutely and in follow up. As the team evolved it became evident that we could enhance the quality of care given to survivors by adopting a nurse-led clinic model. Hence, I returned to school, finished my degree, and in 2008 became a primary health care Nurse Practitioner for the sexual assault/domestic violence services.
Working in this unique environment provides our nursing team the opportunity to practice the true art of nursing. We work with a multi-disciplinary team that importantly adds different perspectives. The patients in our clinic are afforded dignity, respect, privacy, choice, and partnership in their wellness journey.
Thank you Jennifer for sharing your story with us. Ontario Nurses' Association
