NORTHERN nurses of Atikameg

Debbie Verniunt, Zenda Rueckert, Norma Sangster and Georgina McGhee live and work in Atikameg, the home of the Whitefish Lake First Nations people. Among the northern mixed forest of black spruce and aspen and the melancholic call of the raven, these nurses practise in a health centre providing treatment as well as public health nursing services.

On any given day, nurses in Atikameg may perform pre-natal assessments, post-natal assessments, well baby immunizations, diagnose and treat ear, eye and throat infections, suture superficial lacerations and various skin lesions. Counseling is an important part of the practice and the home care client load increases all the time. Physicians at the local area hospitals of High Prairie and Slave Lake are available to consult and refer when cases are beyond their scope of practice.

Working in extended health services in First Nations requires a willingness to understand health in the context of community culture to build trust and create linkages of community support. For example, the little boy with asthma may be treated with ventolin, but understanding the support systems of his extended family and First Nations culture is just as important in the overall therapeutic picture. Sensitivity to First Nations politics and co-operating with community health directors are part of the broader work environment.

Debbie says she likes the "satisfaction of dealing with a whole client." Working and living in the community no doubt provides the nurses with a broader window on their client's health. Norma, finds nursing practice at Atikameg "challenging in problem solving." Georgina enjoys "learning from other nurses practising primary health care and feels First Nations tend to trust nurses more if they work and live in the community" Zenda, the nurse in charge, finds "giving 110 per cent to the community contributes many positive benefits to the health of the entire community."

All four of these nurses have previously worked with First Nations people in other provinces. They now work in Alberta under the Medical Services Branch Scope of Practice and are trained to provide extended health services. They have all graduated from mandatory clinical training programs and maintain certifications in CPR (BLS), BTUS, and PALS. Clinical guidelines assist them in diagnosing, treating and referring clients and the practice of prescribing and dispensing medications is regulated by a nurses drug classification system.

The professional practice environment for Debbie, Zenda, Norma and Georgina is undergoing rapid progress. In 1995, the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses (AARN) recognized the need to establish competencies for registered nurses providing extended health services in Alberta. In response, the Alberta government amended the Public Health Act and recognized registered nurses, under terms of agreement with employers, may provide:

diagnosis and treatment of common disorders affecting the health of adults and children

referral

emergency services.

The AARN developed a roster system to establish and maintain competency levels for registered nurses providing extended health services. Furthermore, the new Health Professions Act will incorporate these changes as another dimension of nursing practice in Alberta.

Debbie, Norma, Georgina and Zenda represent a unique group of nurses providing extended health services to northern First Nation populations of Alberta. Nurses working in partnership with communities are able to bring the "caring of nursing to the people."

In return, these northern nurses experience a unique professional practice and lifestyle. A new millennium may have begun, but the adventure of northern nursing still awaits those who choose its challenge and adventure.

Registered nurses interested in more information on extended health services in First Nation communities are requested to call Heather Young, Regional Nursing Manager, Medical Services Branch at 780-495-5437.

About the Author:

Christopher Lemphers, RN, BN, MEd, has practised in the expanded nursing role in northern British Columbia on the Queen Charlotte Islands, He has also worked in public health, occupational health and nursing education with Health Canada, Medical Services Branch before accepting his present position of Treaty 8 Zone nursing manager.

Copyright Alberta Association of Registered Nurses May/Jun 2000
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved