Meet Vivian Odron, Registered Practical Nurse at Michael Garron Hospital

Tell us about yourself!

Hi, my name is Vivian and I am a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with the Complex Continuing Care and Rehab Unit at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH). I started working at MGH in 2018.

What motivated you to join MGH?

I come from the Philippines, and have also lived in Hong Kong. While I was living in Hong Kong, I was a caregiver for an elderly woman who was hospitalized frequently. The nurses who took care of her were so competent and skillful, and I realized that someday I wanted to be like them.

I eventually came to Canada under a live-in caregiver program, and again, I was able to witness the care that nurses provided for my client in the hospital. I told myself that one day I would be in blue scrubs like the nurses, and I was right: After I got my permanent residency in Canada, I went back to school at George Brown College to become an RPN.

When I first stepped into MGH as a student nurse in the Complex Continuing Care and Rehab Unit, it immediately felt like a positive environment. I enjoyed my placement in this department: I met patients from different cultures and backgrounds, and the work environment and community was great. My preceptors were open in sharing their knowledge and skills, and I met great team members who welcomed me to the unit.

When I received my RPN license in 2018, I was highly motivated to work at MGH. In addition to my previous positive experience with MGH, I am also an East Toronto resident and live nearby. My commute is convenient and I am always very punctual!

What types of learning, mentorship or professional development opportunities have you had the opportunity to pursue since joining MGH?

During my time at MGH, I’ve had several learning, professional development and mentorship opportunities:

• When I was hired, I received a helpful general orientation where I was able to review my nursing skills.
• As a part of my orientation, I had the opportunity to perform intravenous (IV) insertion in the Emergency Department (ED).
• I completed training on the Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA), a dementia education certificate to support my work in the Memory Care Unit (MCU). This training teaches us the knowledge and skills to help us respond to behaviours associated with dementia.
• In 2021, I became a preceptor for students from George Brown College. I really enjoyed preceptorship because the students not only learned from me, but I also learned from them. Seeing them become successful in their careers makes me feel successful, too.
• I volunteered for COVID-19 swab testing during the pandemic at a nearby high school. This testing was hosted by MGH.
• I’ve also participated in additional trainings related to dementia care, ventilation and preceptorship.

I understand that MGH is a large organization, and that there will be more opportunities in the future for me to grow and learn. I will always be grateful for the support and learning opportunities that MGH has given to me.

Can you share your career path at MGH?

2018: I joined MGH as a practical nursing student from George Brown College, working in the Complex Continuing Care and Rehab Unit.

2019-present: I currently work as an RPN in the Complex Continuing Care and Rehab Unit.

So far, I’ve only worked in one unit at MGH, but it’s been a privilege to grow my career through the experience I get every day working in memory care and rehab and with ventilated patients.

What motivates or inspires you?

Each day, I want to make a difference for my patients, including making their lives feel a bit easier. For me, my job is not about myself. It’s always about the patients – their safety and well-being is at the centre of everything I do.

I’m also inspired by my colleagues, who have a great work ethic and provide such high-quality care. When I was a student, I was privileged to be mentored by amazing senior staff at MGH. They were great role models and taught me to always aspire to do good for my patients.

If you could share one memorable moment from your time at MGH, what stands out to you?

Patients are the ones who make an impact on my life. As a nurse, I feel I have a purpose and that working with patients is my true calling.

I once encountered a rehab patient who had no family, and unfortunately, nobody came to visit her. For her, it was important to have someone to talk to.

I did my best to spend time talking with her and walking with her inside the unit whenever I could. She was always thankful and appreciative. The night before she was about to be discharged, my colleagues told me that this patient was looking for me: she didn’t want to go to sleep without saying goodbye.

I went in to her room and talked to the patient. She was happy to see me and she handed me a letter of gratitude.

For me, this was a memorable moment: it was nice to know that spending a bit of my time with this patient was so valuable to her. I will always remember her.