By: Kirsten Millar
Sheila Lane and Kim Rose are Registered Nurses who work as Wellness Navigators at the Community Health Teams. The Community Health Teams offer health and wellness services with a focus on healthy eating, mental wellness, physical activity, parenting and managing health risk factors.
Both Lane and Rose have been working in healthcare for around 30 years. Lane says, in her career, her work has focused primarily on prevention, wellness, and self-management in community settings. “I have always been drawn to health and wellness,” says Lane. “I feel very fortunate for opportunities I have had the past 30 years as a nurse.”
“Being a nurse offers so many possibilities, new experiences, challenges and purpose,” says Rose. “I like being part of the solution in helping people [and families] with their overall health and working alongside other caring health professionals and groups towards a common goal.”
Lane and Rose are the only RNs on the Community Health Teams. They work with Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Recreational Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, and their administrative team. “Having the depth and richness of our combined backgrounds and experiences contributes to the strength of our teams and the quality of our work,” Lane and Rose say. “Our nursing backgrounds bring a unique perspective and knowledge to the teams in terms of program development, community engagement and individual support with clients.”
The work that Lane and Rose do as Wellness Navigators improves the quality of life of their patients. They say they find inspiration in their patients and their coworkers.
“I am appreciative of the varied experiences I have had working in the community. I am motivated and energized by people: their courage, insightfulness, and resiliency. I am inspired by the dedication and brilliance of colleagues I have worked with over the years,” says Lane. “For me, the work we have done the past few years in the area of self-compassion has been highly rewarding. I see a shift in people when they begin to practice self-compassion in their own lives.”
“I am inspired by the strength and resiliency of so many people over my 30 plus years, pushing forward despite the challenges. Working in community has offered many unique learnings and the opportunity to work alongside so many people: community members, partners from health care and community as well as coworkers,” says Rose. “It is a wonderful thing to be part of helping and supporting people on their wellness journey.”
Lane and Rose love their work on the Community Health Teams because they know they are making a difference. “A wellness approach in health care is the foundation to supporting individuals, families and communities in living healthier lives,” they say.
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.
