"Although we may continue to face challenges daily as we work together to beat Covid-19, I know we will come to work with our brave faces on behind the masks."
Meet Kayley Swan, a Lakeland College alumna, who is sharing her experience during COVID-19.
Program: Class of 2012, practical nurse
Job: Licensed practical nurse at Vermilion Home Care
Q: How did COVID-19 change the way you do your job?
A: Covid-19 has changed many aspects of my job and the way it needs to be done. The
biggest change and challenge for me has been having to wear personal protective equipment
(PPE) in the workplace all day, every day and not knowing if we would have enough
supplies to continue working safely from one day to the next. It has taken away the
normalcy of seeing all the smiling faces in the workplace; both from coworkers and
from our clients.
Q: What's been challenging for you during the pandemic?
A: A challenge has been the ever-changing policies and procedures that we must follow
to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, while doing our best to teach and educate
our clients and the public to follow the recommendations sent out by health officials.
Q: Have there been rewarding moments
A: The most rewarding part of working through this pandemic is that it has allowed
me to spend more quality time with my clients and it's made me realize just how important
bedside nursing really is. Many of my clients live in a lodge setting and were not
able to see their loved ones for an extended period of time due to the risk of introducing
the virus into their home. Knowing that I might be the only person they get to see
or talk to that day encouraged me to make extra time and give them my undivided attention
to talk, vent or reminisce about their lives before Covid-19. Simply being there for
my clients and seeing how much they appreciate it just confirms that being a nurse
is what I was put on this earth to do.
Q: How does it feel to play such an essential part in our community's response to
the pandemic?
A: Overall, working in health care during these unprecedented times has been eye opening
for me, both personally and professionally. Seeing and being a part of everyone pulling
together and offering support from all over the world in such an ever-changing time
has been heartwarming. We are and have always been there for one another, but this
has introduced a greater level of team work in nursing and I am proud to be a part
of that team. I believe we will keep learning from this experience to make us better,
stronger, more connected and further prepared for the future. Although we may continue
to face challenges daily as we work together to beat Covid-19, I know we will come
to work with our brave faces on behind the masks and continue to be open, receptive
and ready for whatever may come next.
Learn about the experiences of other alumni: