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Nurse wins GN award for leadership Emily Ridlington Northern News Services Published Monday, August 1, 2011
She said she didn't expect to stay in the North for two years let alone win the Department of Health and Social Services' Award for Excellence for Nursing Leadership this past May. "It gave me a real sense of accomplishment," said Ramnath, manager of the continuing care centre in Gjoa Haven. Originally from Trinidad, she said she moved to the North after her girlfriends convinced her to tag along for the ride. Also, like most people in the south, she had a real sense of curiosity about this part of the country. With 14 years' experience as a nurse at a Toronto retirement home under her belt, Ramnath arrived in Gjoa Haven in November 2009, when the new continuing care centre opened. In her role as manager, she oversees 21 staff who run the 10-bed centre. Patients require longterm chronic and palliative care. "You give a certain degree of leadership, support the workers, ensure the staff support and help provide a routine for the residents, "she said. Making sure the correct equipment on hand is also part of the job as is acting as the liaison between physicians in Yellowknife, the health centre and the pharmacy in Cambridge Bay. Curve balls which disrupt the daily routines are things like when the water truck does not come on time. "We have to delay morning care until the water truck comes by and make sure the tank is filled before we do laundry," Ramnath said. The morning routine includes tending to residents' personal hygiene, ensuring the residents do their exercises and eat breakfast. She said the most positive aspect of the job is interacting with her co-workers. She said they are some of the nicest people she has met and she enjoys working with them. Ramnath said she recommends other nurses to come to the North, but they need to be patient, know their professional abilities and be willing to embrace the culture. "People will change you," she said.
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