Campbellton Regional Hospital builds connections with youth in the community

Vitalité Health Network, Thursday, January 19, 2023 – Nearly 60 grade 9 to 12 students from the école Aux quatre vents school in Dalhousie recently had an immersive health system experience at the Campbellton Regional Hospital.

These youth had the chance to attend a whole series of demonstrations on various professions and employment opportunities within the hospital. Maxime Saulnier, the facility’s Director of Hospital Activities, believes it is very important to build connections with youth in the community and to show them all the career opportunities that the hospital has to offer.

“We certainly have a great need for health professionals such as physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists and laboratory technologists but we also need administrative assistants, cooks, electricians and computer technicians,” he said. “Youth in the region need to know that our workplace is attractive and offers a multitude of different types of employment,” he continued. “I was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the hospital’s employees, who had no hesitation in participating. I sincerely thank them.”

Rachel Mann, Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care Unit at the Campbellton Regional Hospital, was one of many hospital employees who hosted a group of students from école Aux quatre vents school in Dalhousie. She is shown with some of the equipment that was used for the critical care demonstrations.

Rachel Mann, Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care Unit at the Campbellton Regional Hospital, was one of many hospital employees who hosted a group of students from école Aux quatre vents school in Dalhousie. She is shown with some of the equipment that was used for the critical care demonstrations.

According to Rachel Mann, Nurse Manager of the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, the activity was fun for the students as well as the hospital’s employees. “We organized interactive demonstrations on various professions. The students participated actively and asked lots of questions. The activity was also an opportunity for us to reflect on why we do what we do and to add some positivity to our day! Overall, it was a great success,” she added.

Alexandra Diotte, a Grade 11 student, loved this day of discovery. “It opened my eyes to new health care fields,” she said, mentioning that she had especially enjoyed the radiology demonstration. Renée Devarenne, a Grade 9 student, was impressed by the critical care demonstration. “We saw different ways of resuscitating a patient and saw what the staff do in their everyday work,” she said. Finally, Abigail Haché, a Grade 10 student, really liked the presentation by the social workers. “It was very interesting to see how they can help families and children.” All three students said that this activity had piqued their curiosity about health care careers.

The activity took place within an isolated area of the hospital and with health measures in place, including mask wearing and hand disinfection. Vitalité Health Network thanks the principal of the école Aux quatre vents school for their valuable collaboration in organizing this activity.