When You Love What You Do
In each issue of the newsletter, we spotlight a member of our organization. This month, we would like to introduce you to Mariam Kaouachi, a nurse clinician in the Emergency Department at Hôpital de LaSalle. This woman, who is passionate about her work, wants to blaze her own trail, while staying true to herself.
Ms. Kaouachi, can you talk to us about your academic background and how you came to be a nurse clinician?
“While I always enjoyed school, especially science courses like physics, chemistry and biology, it took me some time to find my passion and turn it into a career. I began by getting a diploma of vocational studies (DEP) in esthetics at École secondaire Monseigneur-Richard, in Verdun, in 2010.
Not long after that, I had the chance to frequently interact with nurses and doctors during visits to see my mother who was hospitalized at Hôpital de Verdun. That’s when the seed that would lead to a career change was planted. I ignored negative comments made by a personal academic counsellor and registered in a Springboard to a DCS pathway at Cégep André-Laurendeau. Thanks to good grades and a fair amount of determination, I managed to be accepted into the nursing program. In 2015, after three years of schooling, I received my diploma of college studies (DCS).
I pursued my education at the Université du Québec en Outaouais’ Saint-Jérôme campus. In 2017, after two intense years, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.”
How did you end up working in the health and social services network?
“I worked part-time at Hôpital de LaSalle while attending college and university. I started as an intern then as a candidate for the profession of nursing (CEPI). I trained in various sectors, including the emergency and intensive care.
I’ve been working as a nurse clinician on the evening shift in the Emergency at Hôpital de LaSalle since 2017. Since I’m very willing to work, I also take extra day and night shifts.”
What does a typical shift look like for you?
“My duties vary since the team rotates. That means that I alternate between triage, observation and ambulatory care. I also enjoy being assigned to the resuscitation room. The adrenalin is always pumping when we are tending to a patient who is unstable. We have to act quickly and perfectly in synch with the doctor.
Among my other tasks, I spend time reading shift reports left by the nurses from the previous shift, create work plans, prepare discharges and admissions, assess patients, close charts as well as a host of other administrative tasks.”
What are your greatest day-to-day challenges?
“This won’t come as any surprise, but staffing shortages are right there at the top. We have to deal with very heavy workloads. Patient management is another major challenge. Some users are impatient and can even be aggressive.
It’s also very important to stay up to date on the latest advances and news about medical conditions and diseases. Lastly, we must always act professionally, practice self-control, and be empathetic and courteous when interacting with others, regardless of the circumstances.”
Hôpital de LaSalle has a special place in your heart, doesn’t it?
“Absolutely! Hôpital de LaSalle is my second home. Because the facility is on the smaller side, we all know one another and are very close. Personally, I’ve built some incredible friendships here.
What’s also nice is that it’s easy to speak to the specialists and physicians about various illnesses. It’s an environment that is conducive to learning, which satiates my deep intellectual curiosity.”
Do you share as strong a bond with the ER team?
“Of course! We stick together, even if we are short-staffed. We constantly help each other out and are always focussed on the well-being of our patients. Amongst coworkers, we speak our mind. There are no hard feelings and together, we find solutions.
My team brings me joy. There is such a strong sense of family and I never feel like I am alone and unsupported. And of course, there is no shortage of fun.”
In addition to working as a nurse clinician at Hôpital de LaSalle, you have another job. Can you tell us about that?
“I’ve been working as a nurse in a community pharmacy for the last five years. I work a four-hour shift at the pharmacy on Wednesday mornings. I administer vaccines and am there to provide advice on health-related issues.
I enjoy the peacefulness of this particular work environment, which is the opposite of the ever-present action in the Emergency. I cherish the time I get to spend in this cozy clinic.”
Nursing Week has just started. What does this week mean to you?
“It’s an opportunity to recognize nurses and showcase our profession, but it also serves to attract the next generation.”
Ms. Kaouachi kindly agreed to share some aspects of her personal life with us…
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
“I’m the eldest of four children. I was born in the Moroccan desert and, when I was four years old, my parents, my younger sister and I immigrated to Québec.
My parents have always given me a great deal of freedom when it comes to making personal and professional decisions. My mother is the love of my life, and I’m still a daddy’s girl! I live close to my parents’ house, so it’s not uncommon for my mom to make me a lunch to take to work.
My family and I have nicknamed Hôpital de LaSalle “Hôpital Kaouachi”, since my father spent many years working there as a stationary engineer and my brother currently works there as an administrative officer while pursuing his studies.”
What’s your favourite hobby?
“Travelling! In fact, I’d say that it’s my passion, and I like to get away a few times a year. Most recently, I went to Hawaii and my next destinations are Chicago and Walt Disney . I often travel with Esther, Natalia, Malgo, Mélanie and Zoé who are not only my co-workers but my friends.
My most cherished trip however, was when I was 18 years old and I went back to Morocco with my father.”
Do you have a hidden talent?
“I’m somewhat of a self-learner. Not to boast, but I have quite an ability to learn new things on my own.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’m someone who takes things day by day. I would however, welcome the opportunity to do a master’s degree so that I could work as a nurse practitioner specialized in frontline care.
“On some level, working in the Emergency means that you are comfortable with chaos. You have to be able to channel your energy and free yourself of stress and anxiety,” states Mariam Kaouachi, as she gently tends to a patient.
“Not only is Mélanie Robillard (right) a colleague and a dear friend, but she’s also one of my travel buddies,” explains Ms. Kaouachi, who wanted to have her picture taken with her good friend.