Letters from the Frontline
Meet sisters Alyssa and Natalia Johnston. Both are graduates of the Bachelor of Science Nursing degree at CBU and are working on the frontline to fight COVID-19. Alyssa and Natalia give us an insight into what healthcare looks like during these unpreceded times.
From Alyssa:
My name is Alyssa Johnston from Sydney, Nova Scotia. Last summer, my partner Tyler and I, along with our two dogs, Jackson and Levi, moved to the Coxheath area. I first attended CBU part-time taking elective courses in 2015, while working full time as a Licensed Practical Nurse on units 4D and 3A at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the first group of students in the advanced standing two-year nursing program in 2016. In 2018, I graduated Bachelor of Science Nursing (Hons) degree.
Currently, I am working in the Peri Anesthesia Care Unit/Day Surgery Department at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. With my previous surgical nursing experience, I was thrilled to receive this position when I completed my degree at CBU. I also have the privilege to work alongside many other CBU alumni, including my sister, Natalia.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, our daily work has changed. Our operating room is only performing priority surgeries, cancer procedures and emergency operations. The hospital has been focusing on preparing staff to care for Covid-19 patients. Visitation is restricted in the hospital; therefore, after day surgeries, our staff must bring the patients to the front doors to meet their family. This rule isn’t easy for the patient or family, but it is the safest for everyone. I have participated in mock Covid-19 patient care training to prepare for patients who have to go to the operating room. There have been many education sessions on applying and removing personal protective equipment properly, which is extremely important for protection against the virus.
During this difficult time, I am proud to say that I work for the Nova Scotia Health Authority. The NSHA has been taking this pandemic very seriously and taking all necessary precautions. They have been committed to training staff and keeping the patients and staff safe. To students of CBU and the greater Cape Breton community, be safe. It will get better, just be patient. The more cooperative we are with social distancing, the quicker our lives can return to normal.
From Natalia:
Hi everyone! My name is Natalia Johnston. I currently live with my partner Daniel, our dog Lilly, and our cat Oliver in our new home in Coxheath that we bought in June of 2019. I was born and raised in Cape Breton and love having the opportunity to stay home. I am proud to be a CBU alumni, graduating with honors in May of 2013 from the BScN program. I am currently advancing my career through Athabasca University, in the Masters of Nursing- Nurse Practitioner Stream program.
Attending CBU was the best decision I have could have made because the BSCN program was amazing and I couldn’t have asked for a better four years. I was fortunate in my third year of the nursing program to be part of the cooperative program. I completed 16 weeks on Unit 4D at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital which led me to my position after completion of my fourth year. I am forever grateful to the professors and the Nova Scotia Health Authority for providing me with this opportunity.
I work as the Surgical Clinical Reviewer Nurse and prior to this role, I worked in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Day Surgery, Gastrointestinal Department, Emergency Department, and on Unit 4D.
All of our roles as health care providers have changed over the last month and changed quickly. We are following strict protocols in our hospital. Access to the hospital is restricted and employees must present their id badge and our patients can’t have visitors. Working with patients following surgery is very sad seeing patients who just want their family support but we cannot allow visitors. This is the best and safest option for us all here in Cape Breton. I understand why people are finding this entire situation difficult. But as a community we need people to take this pandemic serious. If you do need to go out, don’t go as a family, please. Wash your hands. Keep six feet apart. Don’t visit friends and family. Use facetime, zoom, and messenger. Stay active within your neighborhood, following all precautions. We go to work to help you. We need you to help us. Please stay home.
To find out more on supporting Cape Breton University, visit www.cbu.ca/alumni