Isolation Nursing

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.

Greetings all!

I just wanted to ask if anyone has been an isolation nurse. Particularly a nurse who works in the Northern areas for 1 month or up to 6 months and receives isolation pay for working in an isolated area. I've been thinking on it more and more, but I've never met another nurse who has worked like that. I see advertisements on it all the time, and my teachers always spoke of it, but they had never worked as one.

I've been debating working in Northern Alberta for a month (more and more frequently after seeing advertisements), but I don't plan on applying until the winter season (currently working a mat. leave contract at the moment). Thoughts, suggestions, ideas? Thank you for your time!:)

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This sounds intriguing! Tell me more!

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.

A couple websites with background information. :) I do have to upgrade on a few courses, and expand my education a bit, but it looks like a fantastic experience:)

http://www.registered-nurse-canada.com/nursing_jobs_canada.html

http://www.nightingalenursing.ca/northernnursing.htm

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That does look interesting!

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Specializes in Burn, CCU, CTICU, Trauma, SICU, MICU.

I have never even heard of that before, but that sounds hilarious!

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I am currently a nursing student, and one of the girls I am in school with is from Canada. She was talking about this just a couple of weeks ago. The way she made it sound you can make a lot of money in a very short amount of time. She is Native Canadian, so she is able to go onto reservations and work. I don't know if that changes anything or makes the pay different???......

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Specializes in MPH Student Fall/14, Emergency, Research.

Here's the official job description: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/services/nurs-infirm/empl/index-eng.php

One of my instructors worked in Resolute Bay for quite a long time. I've heard it is very hard work and you are on call basically 24/7; also, the conditions up north w/r/t alcoholism and violence are deplorable (cost of living is very high - $12+ for a jug of milk) and apparently Medecins Sans Frontieres equates Northern Nursing with 3rd World Nursing experience.

Best of luck to you! They definitely need nurses up there, but it could be the hardest & most rewarding work you do.

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I have never even heard of that before, but that sounds hilarious!

It's far from hilarious.

You are often the ONLY heathcare for 1000s of kilometres. Alcohol, Drug Counsellor, Diabetes Educator, Mental Health Counsellor, midwife, ER specialist (gunshot wounds, hunting accidents, etc). These are things than can crop up in the outposts.

You need to know that your skills are topnotch and nerves of steel. I've know NPs who've done it and they tell some horrific stories (kinda like women topping their childbirth experiences).

I wouldn't say it's for a "fresh" nurse or the faint of heart.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

Wow, definitely something I'd love to do when I graduate. Can anyone tell me about obtaining permanent resident status in Canada for American nurses? Is it a long, painful process or relatively easy, or...?

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That's twice now I've clicked on this thread thinking it was going to be something about infectious diseases. Lol.

Anyway, I agree with those who say jobs like this in very remote areas are NOT for someone without a good deal of general experience, and like Fiona said, topknotch skills and nerves of steel.

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That's twice now I've clicked on this thread thinking it was going to be something about infectious diseases. Lol.

.

I thought the same thing when I clicked as well!

I've never heard it described this way before. Remote or Outpost Nursing is how it's usually referred to in my hospital. My hospital handles the high risk deliveries, surgeries, you name it for regions of our Far North. It's not unusual to get elderly patients that don't speak English and come bearing delicacies liked smoked Caribou meat. Some lovely, lovely people.

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Specializes in Rural and Remote.

CARRN---The Canadian Association of Rural and Remote Nurses could give you good info. They are much like our CRANA---Council of Rural and Remote Nurses of Australia, of which I am a member. I live in an isolated part of Australia and am on call 24/7. It is not a job for a newcomer. To run an ER situation with multiple patients is hard, particularly when you may have to let one patient terminate so as to save maybe 2 others. Look up CRANA.ORG, it's interesting. Michael

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