National Nursing Week 2021

A message from Grandview Kids CEO, Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann

The theme for this year’s National Nursing Week in Canada is #WeAnswerTheCall to reflect the courage and deep commitment of nurses across Canada. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) developed the theme to showcase the many roles that Canadian nurses play in improving Canadians’ health across many sectors and settings. 

I value and respect all nurses’ impact in all practice settings. This year, I expressly acknowledge the incredible efforts of Nurses working the last lines of defense in critical care units and COVID special care units across Canada. The pace is relentless, and the toll immense as the virus has shown no mercy. Nurses continue to show up to save lives. When that is not possible, they have been the final human connection to thousands of people taking their last breath while simultaneously supporting their patient’s loved ones virtually through their profound grief. The toll it takes to express kindness and compassion amid the pressure and demand of delivering complex critical care is a demand few will ever know. Nurses have been #AnsweringTheCall for over a year. I support the call for a review of the decisions related to Bill 124, which has minimized the value we place on nursing expertise. They have shown up and are still standing for us; I speak out and stand with them. 

I have been a Nurse for 33 years. 

I have had the honour of practicing in direct care and leadership roles in Trauma, Critical Care, Emergency, General Medicine, Nephrology, Paediatrics and Women’s Programs. I have been a Chief Nursing Officer and now a CEO. People often ask if I miss being a nurse, and they are usually shocked to know I am still an active Registered Nurse. I explain how nurses practice across many domains ~ research, direct care, education and in my current area of practice, administration. The education and skills required to care for each person across settings can be translated to an organization or a population, and nurses in administration roles impact health policy and health outcomes in significant ways. I LOVE being a nurse. I have enjoyed each domain I have had the privilege of working in. Being the CEO at Grandview Children’s Centre provides the opportunity to bring a nursing perspective to the care and support of the children, youth and families who access the paediatric rehabilitation and other services and programs we offer. That lens combined with the expert physician, health discipline, professional and administration staff across our talented teams makes for a rich, evidence-informed model of care. For 33 years, nursing has been a gift in my life, allowing me to meet amazing people like the Grandview families and team. I am proud to continue to #AnswerTheCall.