Profile: Meet Stacey Van Schyndel, Registered Practical Nurse

In honour of National Nursing Week (May 10-16, 2010), we would like to share with you a profile of just some of the many wonderful nurses at Saint Elizabeth Health Care.

National Nursing Week is an opportunity to celebrate Canadian nurses for their provision of outstanding patient-centered care and dedication to advancing the health system. This year’s theme – Nursing: You Can’t Live Without It! – reflects the immense value of Canada’s largest group of health care providers.

Name: Stacey Van Schyndel
Title: RPN, Saint Elizabeth Health Care, Durham

How did you get into nursing?
I entered the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee post high school for a two year LPN program, graduating in 1985. I developed an interest in nursing following a three-year employment as a "candy striper" at a community nursing home in Wisconsin.

What is your favourite part of your job?
My two favourite aspects of the job are the actual diversity of the clients themselves such as their socioeconomic position, familial relationships, cultural practices, and their general health knowledge. The second favourite part of my job is the sense of accomplishment upon the successful meeting of client goals...for example, healing of a wound, management of diabetic regime, and positive indicators regarding client knowledge base.

How many years have you been at Saint Elizabeth Health Care (SEHC)?
I have been working with SEHC for 17 years as a visiting nurse.

What do you like most about working at SEHC?
I enjoy working with so many personalities and the way in which they bring their own life experiences and talents to the workplace. In addition, I enjoy the flexibility of the work day which allows me to incorporate my personal commitments into my client work load.

At the heart of health care is the client/patient experience. What stories and examples do you have of the 'best' client experience?
Over the years I have taken care of many palliative clients and there have been those memorable few who have left their lasting impression on me. A young man who had MS for over 30 years and was divorced due to the demands of his care, ended up being taken care of by his elderly parents in their home.

It was his wish to remain at home to end of life despite his significant increasing respiratory distress and the parents anxiety that their son would die in fear and discomfort. All comfort measures were put in place, nursing visits increased, the family physician made himself readily available to the family and client and frequent discussions took place to continually clarify his wishes.

Ultimately, his request was honoured and it became clear to me that it was the best experience for this client and his family. (It may interest you that I was this client's primary nurse for 12 years.)

What is the nurse's primary role in client/patient safety, and why is it so important?
Safety refers to those behaviours which ensure a person remains free from injury. As our role takes us into the client's environment, we are the first eyes to assess safety issues such as physical barriers, mental and emotional stressors, or lack of practical equipment in order to maintain their safety. It is important to proactively identify potential risks to client health and teach and promote awareness of safety practices.

What is something most of your colleagues do not know about you?
I am an American citizen and practice nursing as a landed immigrant with a permanent resident card. Since meeting my Canadian husband while on holidays in Mexico twenty years ago, I moved to Canada leaving my own family in Wisconsin.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy travelling, boating, walking, baking and spending time with family and friends.

What is one of your greatest accomplishments while working at Saint Elizabeth Health Care?
I feel that I have many accomplishments since working at SEHC such as: completed the Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education course and created a resource guide as part of the course curriculum. Currently I am participating in a SEHC and University of Toronto research project looking at HOBIC.

Thanks to Stacey Van Schyndel, RPN, for participating!

Read more Profiles:
Erin Carter, RN
Carrol Morris, RPN

What is your most memorable nursing experience, either as a nurse or a patient/client? There are many ways to share your story –

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