Encyclopedias, cocktails and catheters
Name: Bernie Wright
Employer: Trinity Care Centre, Summerland, BC
Union: BCNU
Bernie Wright has been a nurse since 1994 after trying numerous careers like selling encyclopedias, slinging drinks on cruise ships and working as a carpenter and geologist.
After working on a development project for two years in Guatemala working, he went back to school and supported himself by working at St. Paul’s Hospital in the X-ray department.
“At St. Paul’s, I was inspired by a rehab assistant who showed me how to help patients that were recovering and learning to walk again,” says Wright, of Sri Lankan descent. It was through those experiences his decision to become a nurse took hold, and Bernie wasted no time in applying for nursing school.
He immediately wrote a letter to Langara College and explained why he wanted to start studying. Bernie was accepted into Langara’s program and after finishing two years of studies, he started nursing in the geriatric, orthopedic and urology wards at St. Paul’s Hospital. It’s work that he still finds interesting and gratifying.
Bernie and his family decided to move to the Okanagan in 1998, and his interest in geriatric care meant that his skills would always be in demand. His nursing career helped him to find employment right away in Summerland.
“Nursing in smaller communities often means practicing in small facilities and covering a wide range of disciplines. That’s often not the case in large, highly-specialized urban hospitals,” explains Wright.
As healthcare budgets tightened in the last decade, nursing workloads grew. And the BC Nurses’ Union continues to work to support its members’ efforts to resolve workload and safety issues.
When Bernie attended his first nurses’ union meeting, he felt right at home with members who share more than just their work in common – they share a worldview that focuses on social justice and activism.
His involvement with BCNU quickly grew and offered many new opportunities. As a union steward, Bernie benefits from the numerous courses BCNU offers, such as overcoming shyness and becoming a strong public speaker. BCNU’s support helps Bernie gain skills and knowledge to support the collective efforts of nurses and healthcare employees.
Last summer Bernie reached retirement age and decided to retire from full-time nursing. He now spends time nurturing other interests which includes overseas development work. He also works a small number of nursing hours that allow him to stay connected to patients he cares for and to mentor student nurses.
Bernie’s retirement offers him lots of new opportunities to serve people. “I didn’t retire to stop nursing,” says Bernie. “I’m just adding new activities to what I already love to do!”