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After 20 years of hospital nursing, I made a career change to Occupational Health Nursing. My first position was with Employee Care (1989) where I provided service to 3 companies with employees doing a variety of jobs, and ensured they were healthy and productive.
After completing the Collaborative College program, earning a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, I wrote my Canadian certification COHN(C) and applied and received reciprocity with American Board of Occupational Health Nurse as an OH Nurse Specialist.
As the manager of OH&S for Amex Canada, I implemented Joint Health and Safety committees for their headquarters and 53 satellite offices, managed a staff of 5 and set up a program for disability management of their 5000 employees across Canada.
Returning to an industrial setting, I utilize my skills at an envelope manufacturing company with 5 locations in Southern Ontario. I trained employees to be compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act over a 10 year period.
I now work in a hospital Occupational Health and Safety Department. This involves ensuring compliance to immunization, infection control, surveillance and incident investigation. I mentor nursing students in their 3rd year for their “Community Placement”. Today, I enjoy a 4 day week, changing my “hat” many times over the course of the day.
A highlight of my OHN career was at Toronto Grace Health Centre, when the prestigious OHA “Healthy Workplace Award” was granted to the hospital. It was my honor to accept the $2000.00 award, which funded employees' workplace wellness programs.
My networking includes RNAO with Interest group OHNIG, OOHNA, TOHNA, COHNA and Corporate Health Nurses as well as CNO.
Occupational Health and Safety is now my passion!
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