Home nursing: nurturing body and spirit
Name: Romy de Leon
Occupation: Home Care Nurse, works at the Evergreen Health Unit
Union: BCNU
When Romy de Leon came to Canada 10 years ago, little did he know that his work and his union would become such a rewarding part of his life.
Romy had not originally planned to become a nurse and studied mass communications instead. He soon realized that nursing was a career in high demand globally so he enrolled in a nursing program in the Philippines and has never looked back.
Prior to studying nursing, Romy remembers being inspired by the sight of student nurses in their white uniforms. He even dreamed of one day marrying a nurse. Eventually, he not only married a nurse, but became one himself. Romy believes “the profession is very noble. It is an inspiration to help other people. “ Romy says his “passion is to work with people so working in public health is great.”
Romy now works as a home care nurse, a job which includes regular home visits for clients, wound care, chronic disease management, palliative care and IV management. “It’s a continuation of medical care after a patient has been discharged from hospital,” says Romy. “Clients are often fragile and have mobility issues so nurses go into their homes to deliver health services. “
In the Philippines he worked in public health. After working in a hospital medical unit for seven years in Canada, he jumped at the chance to return to public health nursing. “You can actually see the impact of the services that you render, not just to the clients, but to their families,” explained Romy
Providing guidance for the stressed families of his clients is an important part of his work. He gives the example of palliative care, where the patient and their family both require care and support in dealing with end of life issues.
As a man in nursing and a worker of colour and accepts that he is paving the way for the workers that come after him. Instead of feeling singled out, Romy feels honoured to be able to break through stereotypes and demonstrate the value of the male perspective in his profession. Romy jokes that “now the question is: Are you man enough to be a nurse?”
His message to those entering his profession is “if it’s your dream to become a nurse, follow your dreams, no matter what obstacles are in your way. If you work hard for it, you will succeed. Just don’t stop believing in yourself.”
Romy strongly encourages fellow nurses understand their rights as workers through their union and hope they “become aware not only of what their union can do for them, but also what they can do for their union.”