By: Kirsten Millar
Amy Rockwell is a Surgical Clinical Nurse Reviewer within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) at Valley Regional Hospital. In this position, Rockwell collects data on surgical patients to help evaluate and improve surgical practices and outcomes.
In addition to her role as a Nurse Reviewer, Rockwell works as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) for Nova Scotia Health’s western zone. She also continues to participate in mentoring and guiding student nurses as a Sessional Lecturer at Dalhousie University’s School of Nursing. Throughout her career, Rockwell has worked with a variety of different departments.
“For me, nursing was always the choice as a career and as a profession. I entered into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program right after graduation from high school – a short 22 years ago,” says Rockwell. “I have always held a keen interest in health and in caring for others. Hearing nurses in my family sharing stories of their own, I knew I could be the change I wanted to see in the world by choosing this as a life-long profession.”
“There are many things, people, and places which inspire me to continue to do this work, particularly the people and families I have met and cared for along the way – their resilience has been humbling and has allowed me to live my life in a more meaningful and appreciative way,” says Rockwell.
“I am also inspired by the compassion, skill, and competence of those who I have had the privilege to work alongside of – particularly in my early days at the Halifax Infirmary as a new grad and over the past 20 years at Valley Regional Hospital in critical care, [perioperative care], cancer care, surgical, emergency services, mental health, and cardiac rehab programs,” says Rockwell. “I have floated around to so many areas over the years and have loved and learned at each and every stop because of the dedication of the staff working within the walls of this building.”
In addition to being an experienced nurse, Rockwell is also a proud mother. “My sons inspire me to keep working through any adversity and every challenge so that the world they live in is a kind one, a caring one, and a healthier one,” she says. “Fingers crossed they will also have an RN beside their name someday as they love to hear all of “mum’s stories” at bedtime.”
May 8-14 is National Nurses Week, and we are taking the opportunity to learn more about the many nurses who work for Nova Scotia Health and showcase the important roles that they play in a patient’s health-care journey. Thank you for all you do.
