Heading North - Looking for advice!

[peripateticRN, BSN, RN]

Hey All!

I've been lurking on this board for the last year or so and finally made the leap to register an account.

I'm on my way up the the Yukon for a 3 month Community Health Nursing gig and wondered if there are any others in this area on the board that could offer packing/other suggestions. I lived in the NWT for a couple of years - so I have some idea what I'll be getting myself into, but have never lived in nursing accommodations (or worked as a CHN).

Sounds like I'll be spending some time training in Whitehorse then heading out to the communities.

I'm super excited about the position - looks like it'll be mostly 9-5ish M-F with weekends off. You think it's worth bringing my winter gear (snowshoes... skis etc?).

Also, do people generally bring food up with them (I've seen all manners of foodstuff being flown into the NWT communities - but my understanding is it is much more remote in NWT).

Is there anything else I should be thinking about that I may have overlooked?

Thanks in advance!

[ontarionurse5]

Do you have any advice on how I could apply for a similar position that offers 3 month contracts in the Yukon?

[Parrhesia, BSN, RN]

Hi peripateticRN, I've worked in an Indigenous community in BC (within close driving proximity to Yukon/NWT) as a CHN for almost a year and a half and it was definitely the best experience I've ever had. Everyone was nice and knew each other in the little town.

During winter, it does hit that -42 and it's brutal, but for the most part, it's beautiful and worth exploring ! You know it's cold when every car has a block heater and remote start!

Regarding my CHN role, I hosted child health clinics, did A LOT of immunizations and TB screenings, home visits, home health/environmental health assessments & inspections, health education in the local school and started health promotion initiatives (senior exercise group, med recycling, naloxone training for the community, heart health, support groups for expectant mothers...etc).

Every community may be different, but I was given the opportunity to try many different things and had amazing community partners. I would have loved to continue working there if not for family and partner reasons.

I'm also interested in knowing what organization you are working with.

All the best on your trip !

[RN_K, BSN]

Hi. I know this is an older post but I just thought I would check-in and see how you liked working in Yukon. I am considering applying for a position.

[dayandnight]

On 7/11/2019 at 9:58 AM, Parrhesia said:

Hi peripateticRN, I've worked in an Indigenous community in BC (within close driving proximity to Yukon/NWT) as a CHN for almost a year and a half and it was definitely the best experience I've ever had. Everyone was nice and knew each other in the little town.

During winter, it does hit that -42 and it's brutal, but for the most part, it's beautiful and worth exploring ! You know it's cold when every car has a block heater and remote start!

Regarding my CHN role, I hosted child health clinics, did A LOT of immunizations and TB screenings, home visits, home health/environmental health assessments & inspections, health education in the local school and started health promotion initiatives (senior exercise group, med recycling, naloxone training for the community, heart health, support groups for expectant mothers...etc).

Every community may be different, but I was given the opportunity to try many different things and had amazing community partners. I would have loved to continue working there if not for family and partner reasons.

I'm also interested in knowing what organization you are working with.

All the best on your trip !

Hello. Reading your post got me interested in rural community health nursing. Did you have prior public or community health experience before working in the Yukon? I have acute medicine and geriatric experience and I know public health deals a lot with expectant mothers and children.. did you get any additional education in the Yukon through your work?

[peripateticRN, BSN, RN]

On 9/24/2019 at 7:11 PM, RN_K said:

Hi. I know this is an older post but I just thought I would check-in and see how you liked working in Yukon. I am considering applying for a position.

Hey There,

I've been up here for almost a year full time now (and another year of rotations before that). I'm really enjoying my work up here and generally pretty happy with life.

There are challenges - probably similar to living/working in any small, rural community.. but so far it's worth it to me. The life (and work) isn't for everyone though! Community nursing has a lot of turnover in staff.

Apply for the job.. listen to their speil and decide if its the right thing for you!

[RN_K, BSN]

Thanks! I am so glad to hear that you are liking it! I might have to touch base with you later for more details. The little things like what to pack! ?