Nurses are described as “exceptional people who provide essential care” and never has this been more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses have been there during the difficult days ― and every day.

May 10-16, 2021 is National Nursing Week and this year’s theme is #WeAnswerTheCall. The annual celebration is an opportunity to show nurses how much we care for them; to recognize and thank them for answering the call for Canadians and their communities. As part of our tribute, we want to put a spotlight on the men and women who bring their care, compassion and strength as nurses to their roles at Medavie and the many roles they play in guiding patients on their health care journeys.

Nurses who answer the call

We have Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses (RNs and LPNs) and former nurses throughout our organization — in our offices, air and ground ambulances and communication centres — drawing on their skills and training to ensure the Canadians we serve receive timely access to quality care. Every day, they demonstrate that nursing is more than a profession — it is a calling. Whether it be answering 811/911 calls assessing travel and health benefit claims, delivering care to patients’ homes, managing disability claims, or contributing to the development of our health and drug benefit solutions with clinical knowledge and expert advice, these health professionals put the heart into health care.

Nurses find the “best of both worlds” at Medavie

In the late 1990s, Sue Craig was a single mother and a registered nurse providing emergency care to patients in the Emergency Room and Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit of The Moncton Hospital. Juggling shift work with raising two children on her own got to be a “taxing” balancing act. When she learned of a job opportunity as a medical underwriter with Medavie Blue Cross (she had worked here two years prior for a six-month maternity leave, developing a travel product), she didn’t hesitate to apply. “I wanted to be there for my children. It was just a no-brainer. The money’s nice (as a salaried RN) but there are more important things.” Twenty-three years later, Sue has never looked back on her decision.

Thank you gifts

“It made me step out of my comfort zone. I loved my nursing career. I loved helping people. This was a way to continue helping people, to show care and compassion.” In appreciation for her service, Sue has received “wonderful” recipes from plan members, even a lobster stew.

Over the years, Sue has shared her experience and expertise with various departments in addition to Underwriting, including as a member of the Audit and Product Development teams. Today, she is Team Leader, Medical Underwriting Team in Operations, responsible for 18 employees.

Better work-life balance

Among them is Monika Snider, a senior medical underwriter on the Individual and Group sides of the business. Like Sue, she was a mother of a young child with a husband who also worked shifts when she joined Medavie Blue Cross in 2014. “I was looking for a better balance between home and work. Child care for two shift workers can be very complicated.” Prior to this, she was employed as an RN at the Moncton Hospital for two years and for seven years with 811 Telecare.

“Coming to Medavie with a nursing background, I get to have the best of both worlds.”

A special bond

Both she and Sue spoke of the bond that nurses have and how that transfers to their roles at Medavie. “People are eager to learn and share knowledge,” said Monika.

“It’s like having a family, a work family,” Sue agreed.

Derek Ryan, an RN with the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program (EMP) in Fredericton, also appreciates the co-operation and collaboration of his peers.

“At EMP we have a great team. Each day is started with a team meeting to ensure the workload is divided fairly among the staff.”

Sue and Monika commented on the pace of change at Medavie, how that keeps their work interesting and even exciting and how teamwork is essential to adapting to that change. “We put great trust in our team members. We have each other’s backs.”

Their roles at Medavie allow Monika. Derek and Sue to retain their RN registration.

“There’s a lot of pride in the work that we do,” Sue said. “We worked hard to get that designation.”

“We’re still an RN,” Monika added. “We’re still part of the health care system. We’re helping patients. And we’re still ready to answer the call, outside Medavie, wherever and whenever we’re needed.”

Derek provides holistic nursing care for patients and their families in their homes. The scope of his work ranges from general assessments to complex nursing needs.

He says the best part of his job is providing care in the patient's home. “As an EMP nurse, we are the case managers for our clients. We work independently as well as with the interdisciplinary team with the goal of our clients staying at home.

Derek recommends a career with the Extra-Mural Program, managed by Medavie Health Services New Brunswick, “There are many learning opportunities and we care for a wide variety of patients.

Explore careers for nurses at Medavie

Are you a nurse, or have a nursing background, and looking for a change in career – a career where you can help improve the wellbeing of Canadians using your specialized skills and knowledge? Medavie offers a wide range of opportunities that match your unique skill set to achieve a common goal of bringing Canadians better health and access to care.

View our current job openings:

• Medavie Blue Cross
  
• New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program