Nora's Story
Our People, Our Stories is a special series of relatable stories recognizing our staff and the impact COVID-19 has had on our workforce personally and professionally.
Part 3: Nora's Story
How roles change in a public health emergency
Nora Shantz is a Public Health Nurse of 11 years and one of many staff redeployed to new roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. For six months, she was a calming voice on the end of the line at our COVID-19 Response Centre before starting a position as a nurse on the school health team.
Today, she shares her story of what it has been like as a member of our school team and as a mom of school-aged children during the pandemic.
Since the pandemic arrived the role of the school Public Health Nurse has changed and is heavily focused on managing all things COVID-19-related in the school setting. This is very different than the traditional school Public Health Nurse role which involved supporting students and schools with topics such as healthy relationships eating, and inclusivity. The job now requires us to be experts on the latest COVID-19 information and management of COVID-19 cases in the school setting. This can be challenging with the amount of information that is constantly changing as the pandemic evolves. I have also transitioned from working in the office to working at home full time. Despite the challenges, it is rewarding to play an active role in responding to the pandemic and giving back to the community.
Personally, the pandemic has taken a big toll on my family and me. Like so many other families, we do not see our extended family like we did pre-pandemic. We come from a large family so traditions like birthdays, Christmas etc. have been cancelled for now. We also did not go on our annual family week at the cottage with everyone this year because of our large family size.
“When Coronavirus is over, can we…?”
I have young children which has made this situation very difficult for all of us. A common phrase in our house lately from the kids is “when the coronavirus is over can we…” or “remember before the coronavirus when we used to…”.
We have struggled with child care with schools closed. My husband and I are the teachers supporting virtual learning in our house. Participating in virtual learning with young children has not been easy especially when trying to work a full time job as well. Normally my children are involved in swimming, skating, piano lessons but that has not been possible recently. I lead the 1st Woodstock Sparks group which has been particularly challenging this year as we have met virtually, and missed out on camping trips. Even the selling of our Girl Guide cookies was very different this year.
It has been an exhausting juggling act, but the work of Public Health must go on
Flexible work hours help me care for my family needs during the day and work in the evening when my husband is home. Many of us have had to work countless weekends and change our vacation plans due to the high demands of the work COVID-19 has created.
I have found it hard to distance myself from work, but it is beneficial to have a young family that provides a distraction from the “work.” I am part of a great work team. We are all in this together and support each other. I also really enjoyed going to spin classes at the gym so recently purchased myself a indoor stationary bike for home and have taken up spinning again. This has greatly improved my stamina and well-being so I can keep up with the demands of work and family life. This winter, for the first time, my husband built us a skating rink in our back yard which we have spent many hours on as a family. It is a great way to get exercise and fresh air.
With the opening of mass immunization clinics it gives me hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. I continue to learn and find new ways to manage busy times at work and at home. I am grateful to have a great work family that makes moving ahead each day with the work easier.
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