Notes from the Field: A Day in the Life of an Outpost Nurse The only thing constant is change.

While growing up my dad would often tell me "the only thing that is constant is change". It is interesting then that we as humans are often so resistant to it. And I am no exception. Last Friday, I was ask to fly out to another community to cover for a nurse that was ill. Initially I resisted the idea, and then the adventurer in me said "YES !". And I am so glad I did. Over the past five days I have been privy to moments I would not have had had I stayed in the comforts of my base Arctic community, where resources are greater and doctors more accessible. I cannot even begin to explain how rewarding it is to consult with a doctor as f ar away as Vancouver and Nova Scotia while trying to determine if a patient has a scaphoid fracture or if this sick baby before me has a congenital defect that has not yet been identified. Or how honouring it is to be one of two nurses providing medical care to an ENTI RE community. Or how mindblowing it is to be able to step out of the nursing station door and witness a dazzling display of Northern Lights. Or how lovely it is to have the shortest work commute ever: upstairs to downstai rs, as the nursing housing is right above the clinic. Here I truly have the opportunity to put my skills to the test; as there are no midwives to check pre-natal fetal heart rates and fundal heights, no public heal th nurses to give immunizations, no lab tech to draw blood work and no doctors d own the hall to provide a quick second opinion. I can proudly say that I truly love my work. It never fails to challenge me, hum ble me and constantly motivate me to want to do my best. If nothing else this trip has reminded me to be open to change, as the new adven ture is often the best thing yet.