Collette empowers mental health patients to become partners in their care

Collette is a Registered Nurse (RN) at Brampton Civic Hospital and for the last six years, she has worked in one of Osler’s inpatient units of the Mental Health and Addictions program. She and her team provide acute treatment to patients primarily with mood and anxiety disorders and are passionate about providing high-quality care, close to home.

Answering the call

You’d never guess it by the passion she shows toward her career, but Collette did not always plan to work in health care. “My background is actually in computer programming. I worked in that field for a decade before I felt a calling to leave that behind and join the health care sector. I have never once regretted that decision. I first became a registered practical nurse, and loved it so much that I decided to continue on to become an RN. I joined Osler in 2015 as a new RN graduate, doing my preceptorship on the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit. I ended up being hired to work in the ACE unit full time, and did so for about a year before transferring to the Mental Health and Addictions program. I immediately felt I found my life’s passion. I knew working in mental health was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I want to provide service to my community and I want to walk that journey with them.”

Better together

Of course teamwork is important in all facets of health care, but Collette says it’s absolutely critical in mental health care. “It's not just about the patient-nurse relationship, or the patient-physician relationship. The nurse-to-nurse interprofessional relationship is what enables us to provide exceptional care to our patients, while at the same time taking care of each other. I know that if I am ever in a difficult situation with a patient, my team has my back. Sometimes when a patient is acutely ill, they may decide they no longer want to talk to a certain team member. In these cases, we can take a step back, talk amongst ourselves, and identify who on the team may be best equipped to step in at that time. This often leads to patients making great progress with their recovery. They feel their boundaries are being respected, and we get to learn how best to care for them.”

Education is key

Collette understands that beginning treatment for mood and anxiety disorders can be daunting for patients, so she partners with them to ensure that they are well supported during the adjustment period. “At the outset, it’s not always easy for them because the treatment can be more abstract than, say, receiving stitches for a wound or an appendectomy for a ruptured appendix. For this reason, I am passionate about providing education to my patients alongside their medical care. My team and I utilize a lot of educational materials, including videos, to support discussions with our patients. When you give the patient all of the information, and allow them space to ask questions, they become empowered in their care.”

Careers that go beyond

If there’s one thing to take from Collette, it’s the clear pride in her work. “I’m inspired by what my team does everyday. When you see people's lives change right before your eyes, it’s indescribable. Our patients come in at their most vulnerable, feeling very low and often questioning how they’re ever going to get better. And then, through treatment, they start to become what we call ‘future oriented’ – talking about what they are going to do to when they got home and making other plans related to family, travel or work. This is exactly what we hope to see, and an encouraging sign that they’re on the right track with their treatment. I'm grateful that we offer such comprehensive mental health services in our local community hospital. They are truly saving lives, and being able to offer them right here, close to home, means everything for our patients and their families.”

Are you ready to join Collette?

Come join our diverse team of Osler Strong professionals! We’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, providing best-in-class care and opportunities for education and advancement in various specialties.

Apply today to exciting roles in our Mental Health and Addictions program at Brampton Civic, Etobicoke General, Peel Memorial, and the Withdrawal Management Centre.