Melissa Carroll is a registered practical nurse (RPN) at Providence Manor, Providence Care’s long-term care home. She has worked at the home for the past 18 years and is s a full-time fixture on the Montreal 4 Resident Home Area, where she is a member of the home-wide wound care team.
Reflecting on National Nursing Week, Melissa says what she enjoys most about being a RPN is the residents she has the honour to care for, their families and her colleagues, who she says, have become like family to her.
“I enjoy bringing a little bit of sunshine to the residents. I was away for eight days…and when I came back, multiple residents were like ‘wow you are back!’ That makes me feel so good, knowing I was missed. I’m not just another person dishing out pills; they actually missed me, you know? So, I think just being there as a friend, a shoulder to lean on, that just makes a difference in their day and it makes me happy.”
As a mother of five, Melissa is used to juggling many tasks and staying organized, which is highly beneficial for her work duties as an RPN. Melissa says she always knew she wanted to be a nurse. When she was young, her family moved in with her grandmother to help with her care, after the death of her grandfather. Nursing always felt like her calling.
“I went back to school when my oldest son was ten months old. At the time, I was working at bingo halls for minimum wage. And then having a child I was like – there was no way this is going to support everything. I’d get up at five o’clock in the morning, get myself ready, get him ready and take him to daycare. I’d catch the city bus and go to St. Lawrence [College] and be there all day. Then I’d catch the bus again, get home, make sure he was good with his dad and head to the bingo halls until my shift was done 1 a.m. Even to this day, if I get four hours sleep, I’m good.”
Assistant Director of Care Angela Lamb says she is quite happy Melissa made the decision to go back to school to become an RPN. “Melissa truly does make a difference in our home. She is a perfect example that long-term care nursing is more than just assisting people with meals, dressings and medications. It is ensuring that the people living here have the space to experience love, passion and happiness on their terms, for however long they may be with us.”
Another part of long-term care nursing that Melissa plays a large role in is wound care. She is part of a team comprised of another RPN, also named Melissa [Tavares], and Nurse Practitioner (NP) Cheryl Knott.
Two days per week, the Melissa’s are responsible for providing wound care assessments and documentation for residents throughout the home. They assess and treat stage one or two wounds, which are pressure injuries that have not yet extended into tissue, muscle, tendon or bone. Stage three and four wounds are referred to the NP.
“Wound care has always been a secret little passion of mine. I’ve always loved learning about different and new things. It’s the thrill of trying to figure out what works to get these injuries healed and we are beyond thrilled when we can. It certainly improves residents’ quality of life, too.”
Melissa explains that many wounds she cares for were present prior to admission the home, and are a result of skin tears that are fall or transfer related or a result of pressure ulcers and injuries. In addition, Melissa also provides wound care related to end-of-life when skin becomes weaker and more frail.
The Melissa duo are a fantastic team, working together closely with one doing dressing changes and the other assisting with re-positioning or transferring.
“Tuesdays are our prep day. We review all the charting to determine if there are any new wounds we need to follow. We deliver dressing supplies to all six floors and re-organize and clean our carts. On Wednesdays, we go together and measure the wounds, do dressing changes, complete our documentation and then phone residents’ families to provide them with an update on the wound.”
Angela explains that prevention is also a critical part of the wound care team. “The wound care team treats active wounds, but the two Melissa’s must also ensure that all 243 residents at the home are assessed for risk of developing wounds. They work closely with occupational therapy to ensure appropriate surfaces are in place for those at risk of developing pressure wounds. They also work incredibly closely with other inter-professional team members such as physiotherapists, dietitians and physicians.”
When she isn’t providing wound care, Melissa cares for the residents, providing medication passes, catheters and fall assessments, all while making sure her documentation is in order. Melissa also mentors and trains students and has been doing so throughout her entire 18-year career. To this day, Melissa remains good friends with her own mentor Cece Bouyers, who took her under her wing during her student consolidation.
“Recently, I had a student with me who was hired on at the home afterwards. We hit it off so well. The students bring so much energy and positivity, which is why I want to inspire the next generation of nurses through mentoring them.”
Melissa likes to say her colleagues are family, but it’s actually the case for her. Melissa’s oldest son works at the home and she met her fiancée 16 years ago when he was also working at the home.
“He was a Personal Support Worker at the time. He asked me out to the movies and I went thinking we were just friends. A few weeks later, we were dating! He finally asked me last summer if I wanted to get married. And here we are today, 16 years later.”
With five kids at home you might not think Melissa has time for anything else, but you’d be wrong. Melissa often picks up overtime shifts and bakes custom cakes for friends and family with any spare time as well.
The invaluable contributions of RPN’s like Melissa make a difference in the lives of residents and their families each and every day. We celebrate their compassion, dedication and resilience, even when faced with challenges. The impact of nurses like Melissa extends far beyond the walls of Providence Manor.
Are you interested in a nursing career with Providence Care? Visit our website.
