Outpost nursing in northern Saskatchewan
Born and raised on Cape Breton Island, Todd Brown spent 15 years nursing in Texas before briefly returning to his home province. A brochure on outpost nursing led Brown to Stanley Mission in 2007, then Choiceland in 2009, when he started working in the community of Sandy Bay. Retaining seniority and benefits, receiving Northern allowance on top of his wage, being able to take time off to spend with family, and great fishing are added bonuses associated with remote work.
Brown is the Nurse-In Charge (NIC) at Sandy Bay, where physician resources are available only 16 hours a week. “I diagnose and treat under a set of clinical decision tools and other algorithms,” he explained, adding physician support is always a phone call away. “We suture a lot, at times deliver babies, and stabilize major trauma while awaiting air ambulance transfers. I love the autonomy and the ever-changing dynamics of my job.”
Over the years, new resources and technology have helped improve patient care in Sandy Bay, including introduction of the electronic medical record (EMR); a horizontal transport vehicle (HTV) for emergency response; and an automated cardio-pulmonary respiratory (CPR) machine.
“These tools have made my job easier,” he said, adding community involvement and shared history with patients also benefits outcomes. “The job gets easier when you know the community. Family dynamics and personal backgrounds help me with their care.”
