IQALUIT
While most of us spent Christmas at home with friends and family, some people were at work, as patients were treated, babies were born and police patrolled the streets to ensure the safety of the communities.
Registered nurse Laura Farrell, left, and obstetrician Dr. Patricia DeMaio were scheduled to be working on Christmas Day. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo
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But for registered nurse Laura Farrell, who was planning to spend her third Christmas at work, she said her work colleagues tend to become family on such occasions.
"It's obviously not ideal. You'd prefer to be home with family and friends and carry out traditions you are used to. But to be honest, it becomes a part of what my new traditions are, part of being at work," she said. "It's a little bit of a different atmosphere than what I was used to but we make the best of it. We bring lots of food. We make it a nice day."
She added there is usually lots of food around to munch on during the day and the hospital is usually more flexible in terms of visiting hours that day.
As she was set to work Dec. 25, she was scheduled to get Jan. 1 off, explained Farrell, as staff work one of the two holidays.
"I prefer for the girls that have kids to be home with their kids on Christmas morning," said Farrell.
"I have a little bit of a benefit this year with my schedule, but you're still working Christmas."
She was set to work the day shift on Christmas Eve and the night shift on Christmas Day.
In the event a baby is born on Christmas Day, obstetrician Dr. Patricia DeMaio was set to be on call. It wasn't her first time working on Dec. 25, but she has had her share of Christmases off, especially when she had younger children.
"I get the pleasure of delivering any babies that will be born on Christmas from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the 26," she said. "The best Christmas present ever people could have, I think, would be that day if we have babies born."
Often, the hospital is not as busy at Christmas, she added, so staff make it a special day.
"It's quite a bit different than other days. Everybody is always in a great mood. There's always lots of really good food lingering around you can pick at so you eat all day," she said. "It's really fun for everybody."
This Christmas was set to be RCMP Const. Marc MacMullin's fifth in a row working. Police usually keep their regular schedule, so he was scheduled in for an eight-hour shift on Dec. 25, something he said he is not a big issue since he and his wife don't have children.
"Typically, it's a little quieter than it is other days. Everyone is home with their families," he said of the day. "When I get off work usually, our Christmas starts then for my family."
Residents and colleagues often drop off food at the detachment, he added. MacMullin said if there is not a call to respond right away, he was planning to go home and spend some time with his family.
