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Northern nursing in Sandy Bay: Profile of Heather Keith, RN

SRNA Newsbulletin, Feb 2002 by Susan Smith Brazill

Bather Keith, RN has a gift to care for people in the North. Heather exhibits all the qualities she herself describes as necessary to successfully practice in the north, "confidence, independence, cultural sensitivity, broad clinical experience and a sense of humour," which she describes as integral to her practice. She has been practicing in northern Saskatchewan for five years. One of her favourite communities is Sandy Bay.

Sandy Bay is located near the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border about 250 kilometres northwest of Flin Flon, which is the closest referral site. It is situated on the bank of the Churchill River. The community of Sandy Bay has a population of about 1,400 residents and is predominantly Cree. Heather explains that 65% of the population in Sandy Bay is under 25 years of age.

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The Sandy Bay Health Centre is a three nurse station providing 24 hour coverage. The Centre is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and a nurse is on call at all other times. Heather explains that, "about fifty years ago, there used to be a cottage hospital set up by the Red Cross which was closed in the 1970s." There is currently only one fulltime RN employed at the site. Heather and other nursing colleagues are contracted to practice at the Clinic to fill the vacancies.

"The nurses work independently to assess, diagnose and treat an average of 50 clients daily," says Heather "The doctor comes every Thursday for more complicated diagnosis and treatment, weather permitting. In emergency situations nurses may consult a doctor on call for further treatment, advice and medical evacuation arrangements. The scariest thing for me as an advanced practice nurse is really sick kids."

Heather's description of how decisions are made regarding the transfer of clients to Flin Flon provide insight into a way of life that has become part of her. "Transferring clients safely and quickly is paramount," Heather explains, "but is complicated by numerous factors. The client may be transferred by ambulance but most often by plane." Travel by ambulance is constrained by poor roads and time. The nearest ambulance is an hour away and there is another three hours to reach the hospital in Flin Flon.

The most convenient and closest mode of transfer is the float/ski plane, which requires water or ice but cannot take off during the fall and spring, nor is it equipped to fly at night. A medevac direct from Sandy Bay consists of a single engine Cessna or Beaver, and a nurse equipped with an orange trauma bag and whatever fits in her pockets. The local pilot is critical to the success of the health care team. Prior to freeze up or in early spring, or during the night, the air service from Hin Flon or La Ronge is used. Both offer wheeled planes, that function all year, 24 hours a day. The La Ronge air service offers EMTs, if requested, in a fully equipped twin engine King Air.

As an Advanced Practice Nurse, the RNs at the Centre practice to the full extent of the Nursing Scope of Practice. The nurses do lab tests on site including hemoglobin, blood sugars, urine dips, pregnancy tests, swabs, gaps and phlebotomies. The Centre also functions as a pharmacy dispensary. In addition to the acute care offered, the nurses also provide programs for community health, pre and postnatal care, public health, sexual wellness, elder care and occasionally veterinary services.

Raised in Fort Qu'Appelle, Heather currently resides in Regina and is also employed at the Pasqua Hospital as a general duty nurse in Emergency and Palliative Care and at Four Directions as an Advanced Practice Nurse. Heather earned her Diploma from SIAST in 1992. She obtained her BSN at the University of Saskatchewan in 1997, and completed her Advanced Clinical Program (SIAST) in 2000. She is currently working on her Master of Health Studies in Advanced Nursing Practice with Athabasca University. Despite her busy schedule, Heather is hardly one to rest on her laurels. She is a member of the Saskatchewan Emergency Nurses Group and the Nurse Practitioners of Saskatchewan and is a member at large (Regina) of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association Council.

Despite the long hours and all the travelling, Heather is passionate about her work in the north. Heather describes the most challenging part of her work as the long hours, fatigue, lack of sleep and professional and personal isolation. "The nurses in the outposts often only have each other. Many of the nurses that work in the north have become great friends. I can count on my colleagues at any time of the day or night for support." During the course of the interview Heather proudly shows off her Sandy Bay photo album full of vibrant pictures depicting a way of life she has grown to love and admire. She is rewarded by what she describes as the best part of her practice, the people of Sandy Bay. "I will forever cherish the laughter, friendships, openess, and acceptance that the community has shown me. The community of Sandy Bay will always hold a special place in my heart."

Copyright Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association Feb 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Northern nursing in Sandy Bay: Profile of Heather Keith, RN

SRNA Newsbulletin, Feb 2002 by Susan Smith Brazill

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