Otello puts her heart into everything she does

For the last 23 years, Otello has worked as a Registered Nurse (RN), caring for patients in Osler’s Cardiac Procedure Unit. She currently works in the cardiac catheterization lab at Brampton Civic Hospital, where she and her team perform a range of routine procedures, and also respond to cardiac emergencies.

When speaking to Otello, it’s impossible not to feel the genuine passion she has for her work, her team and the patients that she cares for.

A love of health care fostered from childhood

Otello had never put much thought into why she got into nursing – she just knew she enjoyed caring for others. But a few years ago, when her grandmother passed away, she started to reflect on some of her most cherished memories with her. “My grandmother was always taking care of everyone around her. Once I was old enough, I would help her out by dropping food off to those in need of support, and performing basic caretaking. So I guess you could say, my passion for health care started very early on – I just didn’t know it yet!”

Dedication to continuous learning

“Throughout my career at Osler, I’ve always been encouraged to learn and grow. I’ve taken courses to advance my knowledge and skills to learn new techniques and I’m always learning from my team mates. I’ve had the opportunity to work in many roles to expand my skillset, including resource nurse, team lead and be a mentor to new staff members. You don’t have to leave Osler for your next big opportunity! You really can stay and grow right here. Twenty three years later, I’m still here and I’m still learning and growing.”

Working on a team with heart

While the catheterization lab team performs a lot of routine procedures with their patients, they also deal with urgent situations like heart attacks. “You can never predict what your shift is going to look like. When these cardiac emergencies occur, it’s all hands on deck to diagnose the problem so that we take care of the patient as quickly as possible. When dealing with the heart, every second counts. That’s why teamwork is so important."

The value of strong leadership

With Brampton being one of the hardest hit communities at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many RNs like Otello looked to hospital leadership for guidance. “In the beginning of the pandemic there were so many unknowns. But what stands out to me most is the immense support that frontline staff received from the organization. My manager did everything she could to offer support, and our leadership were with us on the ground, regularly checking in to make sure we felt safe. They still continue to check in. Whether it’s through emails, staff virtual town halls or floor huddles, we always know we can ask questions and get information.”

Careers that go beyond

When asked what she’d say to fellow nurses thinking about joining Osler’s cardiac team, Otello’s answer is simple: “Do it now! We have amazing technology, experienced physicians, state-of-the-art facilities, supportive management and a diverse, thriving community to care for. Truly, I would not go anywhere else.”

Are you ready to join Otello?

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 advancement in cardiac specialties.

Apply today to exciting roles in the cardiac program.