Nursing graduate finds roots in rural health care

FaceForward: The People and Stories of Memorial
By Marcia Porter | Dec. 22, 2014

Luke RedmondWorking as a nurse at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre comes with some name recognition.

“It’s amazing that almost everyone knows you by your first name,” said Luke Redmond, who moved to Bonavista from St. John’s last spring, following graduation from Memorial’s bachelor of nursing (collaborative) program.

It makes him appreciate working in a community hospital.

Bonavista Mayor Betty Fitzgerald loves hearing these kinds of stories, and she’s proud of her community’s reputation.

“We welcome everybody,” said Mayor Fitzgerald, who has served on her town council for 25 years, the past 17 as mayor. “It’s good to have new people coming into the community. It’s good for the economy. We have a long-term care facility, a senior’s home and a hospital, and we have people employed in all three places. They are spending their money here, they are volunteering here… They do unbelievable work in the community.”

In short, Mr. Redmond and other young health professionals are contributing to the economic and social development of the community.

Mayor Fitzgerald hasn’t met Mr. Redmond yet, but she does wonder if he was the young man who came up to her at an event recently and asked to 'dance with the mayor.'”

When Mayor Fitzgerald receives calls from people interested in moving to the community, and she often does, especially from older people wanting to retire in the area, they quiz her about the services and resources available to them.

“They’ll ask if we have a hospital, and I’ll tell them, ‘Yes, we have really good nurses, doctors and great staff.’”

Access to health care is near the top of the list, but they are also impressed with the town’s recreational facilities that include a soccer field, a basketball and tennis court, a beautiful soccer field and a playground.

As a nursing student, Mr. Redmond spent several weeks working in Bonavista on a clinical placement. The skill level and professionalism of his nursing colleagues and the collegial, friendly relationships with hospital staff made him feel right at home.

Later, he remembered that upbeat, positive work environment and the breadth of experience that comes with nursing in a rural area when he was offered a full-time position at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Care Centre.

Mr. Redmond recommends the experience and the lifestyle to other new graduates, especially now that he's been made permanent.

“The hospital is at the core of the community,” he said. “It’s not uncommon at all for people to come up to you at the supermarket or if I’m out for a walk and say hello or start a conversation. It gives you a more holistic view of health care. ”

“People take care of each other and support each other,” said Mayor Fitzgerald. “We have so much potential here.”


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