Meet Signy: making an impact with a SMILE
A comforting hug from an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse during a difficult time in her childhood. It was a moment that has been vividly etched in Signy’s memory. And is one of the reasons why she decided to pursue a career in nursing.“I was exposed to the healthcare environment at a young age when both my parents faced some very tough health challenges,” said Signy. “That interaction with the ICU nurse really stuck with me. I knew that, one day, I wanted to make a difference for someone the way the ICU nurse did for me.”
Today, Signy is doing just that as a Registered Nurse in the Short Stay Unit on the Paediatric medicine floor at SickKids. As Team Lead on 7E, she works with a small group to streamline and deliver the best possible care for children with the goal of decreasing the amount of time they need to stay in hospital.
To have your work recognized is always amazing.
“I have always loved working with kids,” said Signy, “so when I went into nursing, getting a position at SickKids was my dream.”
Five years after accepting a role at the hospital, Signy couldn’t be happier. So much so that she never wants to leave.
“After working with the incredibly committed inter-professional team, experiencing the growth opportunities and the interactions with kids and their families, I could never imagine working anywhere else.”
She loves the family-centred care focus at SickKids, which involves not only treating the child, but treating the family too. She enjoys the chance to build relationships with families and to provide them with the information and education they need to care for their child once they leave the hospital. She also finds herself amazed on a daily basis by the resiliency of the kids she treats.
“I love the ability kids have to be in a situation which could be considered a little bit stressful and scary, and still have a smile on their face.”
Signy’s passion for her job has been recognized multiple times through the SMILE program, which provides SickKids families and staff with the opportunity to acknowledge and to thank staff members through a donation to SickKids. Staff members receive a SMILE pin along with a personalized note as to why they were honoured.
“I received a SMILE recognition from a patient family a few years ago and thought it was so kind of them to acknowledge me in this way,” said Signy. “To have your work recognized is always amazing. But knowing the honour also comes with a donation to the hospital … that is such a nice touch.”
Her most recent recognition had an extra personal touch to it. While at work, she received a text message from her 12-year-old nephew containing a photo of her name on the SMILE website. He went on to explain that he had earned some money helping people in the neighbourhood with their chores, and wanted to donate it to SickKids. When researching how to donate, he came across the SMILE program and decided, with donations added in from his mom and sister, to honour his aunt.
“When I received the SMILE pin and the note, I started to cry at what my family had done,” said Signy. “He told me ‘You go to work every day and take care of people, and I am so proud of you for that.’”
If you would like to say thank you to a staff member at SickKids for the positivity and comfort they brought to your day, consider honouring them with a SMILE. A donation through the SMILE program supports the highest priority needs of the hospital as well as the Staff Continuing Professional Development Fund, which provides full and part-time staff at SickKids with opportunities to advance skills, reach new milestones in their careers and increase their knowledge and expertise. A SMILE makes a difference, so please consider giving one today.
