QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department is working with reduced space, which may lead to delays for those with less urgent concerns. Learn more here.
Nova Scotia Health has made changes to parking and the main entrance of the QEII Halifax Infirmary. Learn more.
November 10 to 16 marks Perioperative Nurses Week which celebrates the incredible dedication, skill, and impact of perioperative (surgical) nurses across the province. Perioperative nurses play an integral role in supporting their patient’s surgical journey, from pre-admission to recovery, and delivering high-quality care in and out of the operating room. Meet Kimberley from Hants Community Hospital and Julia from the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
Kimberley Benedict
Kimberley Benedict graduated from the Victoria General School of Nursing in 1989 and started her career in the operating room (OR) during her elective at the QEII Health Sciences Victoria General Hospital. In 1992, Benedict became part of the newly formed orthopedic nursing group.
“This was a very progressive group of nurses that took their learning into their own hands to become highly specialized in this service,” said Benedict.
In 2006, she began working at Hants Community Hospital with the surgical team that performs general surgery, orthopedics, urology, endoscopy, oral surgery, ophthalmology (eye surgery), plastics, and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat surgery).
Today, Benedict serves as the clinical lead for OR, day surgery, and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and is always looking to see how she can best support change and patient care.
“I have always enjoyed working in the OR as it is constantly evolving, and I’ve always loved a challenge. As the clinical lead, my area of focus is to increase the types of surgeries we are doing and to research what other surgeries can be completed in our day surgery unit.”
Julia Murphy
Julia Murphy discovered her passion for surgical nursing during her final clinical placement when she had the opportunity to shadow a perioperative nurse and observe cardiovascular (heart) surgery. After reaching out to the nursing manager and educator and securing an additional opportunity to observe a surgery, Murphy was certain that perioperative nursing was the path she wanted to take.
“I was hired immediately after nursing school and I was able to take the part time Perioperative Nursing Program (PONP) over seven months, while working full time,” she said. “The program equips nurses for professional practice, and the education team has been a valuable resource to connect with for any questions.”
Murphy now works at the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Halifax Infirmary. Though she works across different areas of focus – namely, general, plastic surgery, and vascular surgery – it is the teamwork among her colleagues that is consistent.
“Working in a trauma hospital, each day offers new challenges as it is crucial that we collaborate effectively, as it makes a difference in our patients’ lives,” she said. “Being present for the patient during critical moments and having the ability to positively impact outcomes during their surgical experience is highly rewarding and fulfilling.”
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First picture: Kimberley Benedict