Nurse follows her dream

After studying political science and women's studies at McGill University in Montreal, Melissa Keigher knew something was missing; there had to be something else.

“I thought I would become a lawyer but the urge to travel got in the way,” Melissa said recently. “I went to Ireland and managed a bar at a restaurant in Dublin for awhile. I made enough money to travel to the continent and apprenticed as a silversmith.”

When Melissa returned to Toronto she managed a bar in Yorkville and continued her jewelry- making. “I knew there was something else I wanted to do with my life and that I would have to return to school, but I did not know what it would be.”

It was while she was helping her grandparents, Marg and Jim Tait move into the John Noble Home, that Melissa got the nursing bug. “My twin sister, Jen, is a nurse in Toronto and she said that I would enjoy nursing. Jen was the Valedictorian of her class and I worried about filling her shoes!”

So, Melissa went to Fleming College in Peterborough to become a Registered Practical Nurse. Guess what? Like her sister, Melissa was Valedictorian. When the time came for Melissa's final placement as a nursing student she chose the Brantford General Hospital.

“Basically, I had 2 reasons for coming to Brantford General,” she says. “First, I read that the Brant Community Healthcare System won the very first ever ‘Employer of the Year Award' in 2002 from the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario. This was huge for me. BGH has made a significant difference for RPN's across Ontario. Also, my mother and stepfather, who moved to Brantford, gave the hospital a big ‘thumbs up' based on the care and treatment they have received at Brantford General.”

Melissa has been working on the surgical unit at the hospital and her expectations have not been let down.

“The teamwork is incredible,” she enthuses. “The respect everyone has for each other is great. Diane Hammond, RPN, was my preceptor and she is so wonderful and incredibly supportive. She challenged me and was always available with the answers. Working on a surgical unit can be intimidating though, but the surgeons and staff are very receptive. As a new grad I am a little nervous but everyone here helps each other and this makes a difference in patient care. The experience has solidified in my mind that I have made the correct choice coming to Brantford General.”

Already Melissa sees similarities between serving at the pub in Ireland and nursing, “You deal with the public, the hours are long and you work shifts. Obviously, nursing is much more complex- but it is also much more rewarding.”

While studying in Peterborough, Melissa volunteered with some physicians, dentists and nursing and medical students to go to the Honduras. “I raised $1,600 but the experience was priceless. For 12 days we provided medical care for the poor. I helped the dentist extract 3 teeth. I have never seen happier and more grateful people even though they have so little.”

Melissa is busy these days prepping for her final exams this month, but already she has her goal set for next year. “Now that I have moved to Brantford and work at the BGH, I want to take the bridging program and earn my BScN to become a RN.”

Hospitals everywhere need more nurses- more Melissa's.

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre proving primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris is a multi-service health centre providing urgent care, primary care and community outreach programs.