The stress of the pandemic had taken a toll and forced Crystal to rethink what she was truly passionate about.
“I have always been intrigued by Dialysis and began taking a course at Humber College on nephrology nursing. When a position in Dialysis became available at Headwaters, I felt it was the right time and the right fit for me,” recalled Crystal.
Crystal starting a rotation with William Osler Health System and travelled between the Brampton Civic and Peel sites for hemodialysis training. The learning was both in class and directly on the floor for two weeks. It was a small class of only six peers which provided the trainers with time to devote attention to each student.
Each person in the program was at a different level of learning so the program started from the beginning which involved basic renal anatomy and presentations from the multidisciplinary team. The students gradually were able to practice on Dialysis machines off unit and apply those skills at the bedside with patients.
This six-week orientation to the Dialysis program concluded with four weeks of clinical practice under a mentor at our hospital. This provided the opportunity to hone in on the skills needed to perform Dialysis nursing at Headwaters.
“The team at Osler taught me the foundations of hemodialysis that I was able to bring home and apply as well as expand upon in my continued learning,” shared Crystal.
Coming home to Headwaters after receiving the training at William Osler Health System was a rewarding experience and just what Crystal needed to rediscover her love of nursing.
“Everyone on the Dialysis unit has been so welcoming. It has been wonderful to shadow Kelly, my mentor. She has gone out of her way to make sure I become more proficient and harness my new craft,” shared Crystal.
These foundations will help Crystal become a valued member of the Dialysis team and will also help our hospital support even more patients in need.
“Crystal is a great addition to the Dialysis Team. We are very excited to have her. She is intelligent and eager to learn. Having extra trained staff means we can open an evening shift that would accommodate additional patients residing in our catchment area. At present there are patients travelling to Brampton, Kitchener and as far as Vaughan to receive Dialysis,” shared Kelly.
“There’s so many lovely new patients that I have met and learnt from; new things and new skills that I am excited about. This was the refresh I needed to move beyond the last few years with the pandemic,” shared Crystal.
Crystal continues to pursue her nephrology certification at Humber College and plans to stay in Dialysis for the remainder of her career.
This is true testament to the value of continued learning and supporting one another in our career goals.
Photo caption: Crystal and Kelly on the Dialysis unit at Headwaters.