Going that extra mile

Home Care nurses can travel far to help Albertans

Travelling gravel roads, slogging through deep mud and contending with the weather sounds like the work of an intrepid explorer.

But for Home Care staff in the northern part of the province, who cover hundreds of kilometres a week to care for Albertans, it’s all in a day’s work.

Colleen Ferguson-Stanners, a licensed practical nurse with Home Care out of Fort Vermilion, travels to see people who are up to 100 kilometres away. And she has no issue battling the elements.

“It’s all about the one-on-one time with the client,” says Ferguson-Stanners, referring to the individual who requires home care services.

“I enjoy developing and building relationships with them, even if it means driving long distances and tackling the roads and weather.”

Ellaine Yanishewski, a registered nurse with Home Care out of Spirit River, echoes the sentiment.

“The clients keep me determined,” she says. “I really enjoy this type of nursing, because you don’t just see the client in the hospital for a short period of time—you see the whole picture and form relationships.”

Sometimes these people aren’t easy to reach.

Ferguson-Stanners recalls one particularly sticky situation.

“I take paved roads as far as I can but most of my travel is on gravel roads,” she says. “I was quite far out one day, going down a five-kilometre-long driveway, when I noticed it looked a little muddy.

“It looked like others had gotten through OK, so me and my city-girl attitude said
‘I can do this—no problem,’ ” she recalls.

“Before I knew it, I was in mud up to my fenders. I couldn’t even open my door because the mud was so high. Thankfully, I had cellphone reception and was able to call a tow truck.”

Yanishewski also had unexpected experiences on the road.

“We’ve hit the ditch a few times but were lucky that people driving by were able to help us out,” she says, noting staff safety is a priority.

“When the weather gets really cold, snowy or the visibility is poor, we don’t travel,” she says.

The same goes for Ferguson-Stanners and other Home Care providers across the province.

Instead of travelling in poor conditions, staff will assist people over the phone as much as possible. In some cases, individuals are set up with in-home monitors to help in their care.

For health professionals joining Home Care, especially in northern Alberta, Yanishewski and Ferguson-Stanners offer some advice: Always have a map, cellphone and a sense of adventure.

Even with some bumps along the way, at the end of the road, Albertans receive  care and staff are proud of their work.

“It’s gratifying to feel a sense of independence on the job—making our own decisions and doing this type of nursing,” says Yanishewski.

May 10-16 is National Nursing Week.