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Nursing in the North
The couple was bound for the 49-bed Whitehorse General Hospital, where as final-year Trent-Fleming Nursing students, they will work for three months on a medical/intensive care unit. The Clydesdales are two of close to 50 graduating nursing students who will start their independent practice placements the week of January 12. They are among a group of four Trent-Fleming students, who will work in Whitehorse until April. The Clydesdales, married last summer, left January 8 and flew from Toronto to Edmonton, where they embarked on a 29-hour bus ride to Whitehorse. "I get these crazy notions," says Mr. Clydesdale, 27, adding that for a couple of years now, he's wanted to travel "north of 60." The adventurous couple, who chose Labrador as a honeymoon destination, said while they could have gone anywhere for their independent practice placement, their passionate patriotism, fondness for the outdoors and their thirst for a challenge singled out the Yukon. "The challenge is a big part of it," says Ms. Clydesdale, 24. "There will be opportunities to do things there, you wouldn't ordinarily do here. It's something different." She expects to see different presentations of diseases, attributable to the diverse communities and different cultures there. And, she expects to feel "culture shock" and a hit from the harsh reality of being so far from home. "I like to travel, but I like to travel in Canada," says Mr. Clydesdale, adding they hope to visit nursing outpost stations as part of their trip. "We want to discover... Canada has a little part of every part of the world." The Clydesdales have done some significant research on their destination, but the fact that it's -40C and the coldest, darkest time of year, is top of mind. The couple will be living in an apartment in a former nurses' residence, along with other health care professionals in training. The couple met before they embarked on their nursing-career paths, but they've become "study buddies" and both say their profession is their passion. Ms. Clydesdale started nursing school when she realized she wanted to interact with patients and provide hands-on care, while Mr. Clydesdale says he "stumbled upon it" after some education in engineering, arts and science, and a career in sales and marketing. "Nursing fulfills me," says Ms. Clydesdale, who sees a future for herself in maternal child health or health promotion or as a midwife or nurse practitioner. "There are so many doors that open up... It satisfies who I want to be as well as what I can give." Meanwhile, Mr. Clydesdale's focus is on a high-acuity setting like the emergency room or intensive care unit and higher education, though he hasn't ruled out a future in mental health or public health. Though if there are job opportunities in Whitehorse and if they "really love it there," they may stay. However, a last two weeks of classes and convocation will await them in Ontario. The Trent-Fleming Nursing Program is an integrated, collaborative four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.N.) Degree. Courses in the program are delivered at Trent and at Peterborough's Fleming College. The program's first graduates from the compressed program, will convocate this summer. Posted January 12, 2004 |
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Trent University
students Dan and Jennifer Clydesdale didn't pack
light. In fact, their four suitcases and carry-ons contained their heaviest
pants and sweaters, thermal socks, snow pants and two pairs of newly-purchased
snowshoes.