Despite the continuing threat of COVID-19, our staff at the Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre (TGHC) have continued to perform their duties, carry out their responsibilities, and fulfill their obligations to their profession. The TGHC believes in recognizing its frontline health care workers and staff, and that it is important to listen and encourage them to share their stories. Recently, I had a chance to speak with Jeffrey Pacres (JP), a registered practical nurse (RPN) working at TGHC’s Specialized Care Centre (SCC).
How long have you been an RPN?
JP: I’ve been an RPN in Ontario for almost twelve years. I was trained as a registered nurse (RN) in the Philippines, where I’m originally from. My qualifications did meet the RN criteria in New York State, [but when I applied] back in 2008 for the RN exam [in Ontario] I was told by the College of Nurses of Ontario that I was not qualified, but they did allow me to take the practical nursing exam.
How did you come to settle in Canada?
JP: My parents emigrated to the United States but I was not able to be part of their citizen application process, so I decided to apply to Canada. When I was accepted, I settled in Toronto because it was the closest [to them], I could be to my family who reside in New York.
Have you visited your family lately?
JP: Before the pandemic, I would visit my family at least eight times a year. But as you know, it had been rather difficult to cross the border. I miss my family but I’m looking forward to seeing them soon now that we’re allowed to cross the land borders for non-essential reasons like tourism or visiting family.
How long have you been working has an RPN at the SCC?
JP: I started just over a year ago in February 2021. At the time I was looking around for another nursing field where I would be able to work in a facility like the SCC. A friend of mine applied here to the SCC and was hired, then he referred me. I submitted my resume to Human Resources at the TGHC and I was hired.
You said you were looking for another nursing field?
JP: Yes, working here at the SCC is my first hospital-based experience, before this I was caring for patients in the community as a visiting nurse, apart from that I also worked in retirement homes, as well as supportive housing for patients with disabilities.
How did you feel when you were hired to work at the SCC?
JP: I had been waiting so long to step into a facility like the TGHC, to me it was a blessing when I got hired and I was very excited to join the health care team at the SCC.
What do you love about your profession?
JP: I’m very passionate and enthusiastic about nursing. I feel very strongly about providing the best nursing care possible. Every single day when I arrive here at the SCC I look forward to my shift. It is not only about being here, but about being here for your patients. To say I’ve been enjoying working here is understatement, it has been rewarding – I’m loving it.
In the past front-line workers have expressed the danger of bringing or spreading the COVID-19 infection at home, were you ever worried?
JP: Well we did have patients at the SCC that had COVID-19 and I think that anyone working on the front-line like RPN’s and RN’s, will always have a concern or worry that they could bring the infection home and spread it to family members. When the pandemic started I was working out in the community and I actually contracted COVID-19. This was at the beginning of the pandemic when there were no vaccines available. I was asymptomatic (producing or showing no symptoms) and I was very concerned at the time about bringing it home to my fiancée or to the other tenants in the household we share.
You’re in engaged? Congratulations!
JP: Thank you!
What did you do after you tested positive for COVID-19?
JP: I believe I was trained and educated very well back home in the Philippines with evidence-based practices and procedures in preventing or reducing the risk of transmission of microorganisms to health care providers and patients. So, when I was working out in the community and I tested positive, I isolated in my home for a two- week period and practiced basic protocols like washing your hands, not coughing on anyone, masking, and sanitizing the surfaces you touch. And I’m happy to say none of the people I share accommodations with, including my fiancée were ever infected. I also had completed the Ontario Infection, Prevention and Control (IPAC) course when I was employed with the City of Toronto Vaccinations clinic.
What is this course?
JP: Actually, I’ve done the IPAC course twice because I was required to do it when I was hired here at the SCC. The course delivers specialty training that provides health care professionals with the technical expertise and leadership to prevent infections to keep patients, employees and the public safe.
Jeffrey are you less worried now about the possibility of spreading a COVID-19 variant as opposed to the early stages of the pandemic?
JP: I’m a little less worried – we already have vaccines and we are on our third dose and there’s talk of a fourth. Even though it has been reported that the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19, I’m confident that we can continue to provide quality care to our patients. By continuing to follow our strict protocols and practicing IPAC protocols, my patients and I will stand a better chance of not spreading the virus.
Do you still work in the community?
JP: Yes, I still take care of two patients in the community. One of my patients has Alzheimer’s, and I’ve been caring for him for over 13 years. Working with this patient has helped me so much with caring for the patients I see at the SCC. We get quite a few patients here at the SCC that have these types of conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s. So yes, I continue to work in the community and at the SCC because I want to continue to hone my nursing skills, I also work in an endoscopy clinic downtown.
It sounds like you have given a lot of thought towards developing your nursing skills.
JP: I want to remain relevant and be well rounded with my nursing skills. This is so I can adapt to whatever setting I’m needed, whether it be procedural nursing, the operating room, a clinic, community setting or the SCC, they all have their unique challenges.
You’re very dedicated to your profession.
JP: I’m also very dedicated to my patients and I want to provide them with the best care possible. When I see that my patient is going home or transitioning to the next level of care it makes me happy.
Thank you, Jeffrey, for sharing your story.
By Gerry Condotta