Emergency nurses employee spotlight

Thank you Mélissa, and all your colleagues, for all the great work you do.

Join us as we celebrate Emergency Nurses Week from October 8 to 14, and on October 11, Emergency Nurses Day!

Mélissa Donaldson is an emergency nurse at the Montreal General Hospital.

What led you to becoming an emergency room nurse?   

From the moment I decided to pursue my studies in nursing, my only objective was to be an ER nurse. It always felt like a natural choice. 

I am comfortable in this environment and appreciate its infinite learning opportunities. 

When I obtained my license, I did a little research on the different Montreal emergency rooms and decided to apply at the Montreal General Hospital because of it’s trauma vocation.    

What is the best advice that someone at the MUHC ever gave you?   

Over the years, I have received a lot of great and inspirational advice.  One in particular stands out. It is something a close friend and colleague once said to me.  "As ED nurses, we have to stay focused on finding balance between work and the outside world, so we can appreciate every moment of our life. " Since we are handling heavy situations daily at work, it is important for every nurse to create a rich and fulfilling life outside the hospital walls. Achieving this balance impacts directly on our resilience and our mental health.    

Tell us about working with your colleagues in emergency.   

Teamwork is the key. In the emergency room, we work as a unit and each and every one of us is essential to the effectiveness of our very dynamic department. 

Emergency nurses are strong, resilient, involved and knowledgeable. Our teamwork is so important to navigate the acute changes in the patient’s health. We have a direct influence on the patient’s experience in a critical care setting. We find comfort in leaning on one another and provide the best care we can.  We work creatively and independently.  #bestcareforlife    

How do you like to relax and unwind after a shift?   

Unwinding and relaxing after works consists mainly of spending quality time with my friends and family. Like in the ED, time is precious. Emergency nurses are on the frontlines, exposed to so many tragic, violent and impossible situations. In our time off, we aim to make every family moment count and we appreciate the "normal, uneventful day-to-day ".