I completed my final shift here in Kenora the morning of June 10th 2022.
It was an odd feeling, but also comfortable.

You see, it doesn’t seem like this is the end. It doesn’t seem like this shift was the last here.
I didn’t want to say goodbye. I didn’t want to do the whole hug each other thing, wish each other well and make things feel so…final.

It’s hard to explain but it honestly feels like this isn’t the end for me and Kenora. While I have no plans to settle down anywhere (especially not anytime in the many years to come, much less to settle down in Kenora), somewhere deep inside I’m anticipating a return.

And I think it will feel like coming home.

So so so many things. I was here for eight months after all. Does that even still count as a travel nurse contract? Sounds more like a permanent staff move to me.
This aspect has also reminded of things I let slip, and taught me new things.

• It’s so easy to fall back into old patterns of behaviour. Knowing where everything is, being comfortable, allowing a routine to be created, having familiar comforts… Thus developing anxiety about change.
• That at the end of the day I am confident in my abilities and competencies as a travel nurse, to come into a foreign ER and engage in high functioning situations in unfamiliar settings. That I am able to handle almost anything that is thrown at me, that I know how to handle it and what to do/how to respond.
•  That I still remain with the capacity to build relationships based on trust after the experiences that I lived through the past 12 months.
• Not everyone has your best interests at heart and I need to exercise caution with who I choose to let into my life. Let relationships happen organically over time, building trust slowly.
• Boundaries are 100% mandatory in both personal and professional life- I was able to start developing them, implementing them and getting more comfortable with sticking up for my values and beliefs.
• The challenges associated with being one of the first travel nurses in a system that has only just begun accepting travellers to help with their staffing crisis.
• That you shouldn’t ‘shit where you eat’, because even though you as an individual are capable of being a decent human being with clear communication skills regarding their wants, needs and desires, it doesn’t mean that others are capable of the same. If they cannot return the favour, you are left with awkward and uncomfortable situations for yourself within the workplace, and it will also undoubtedly affect your colleagues as well.
• I’ve learned the ins and outs of Kenora’s ER department, available resources, who to contact for what and the unique challenges faced by the staff and patients within this geographical region.
• That I became a travel nurse for a reason. It is easy to fall into patterns/habits and feel like a permanent staff member who takes on political stances and is involved in the goings on of a unit. This happens when you are around for too long, and you lose the ability to remain neutrally involved, no longer protecting your peace or mental health.
• Learning when it’s time to walk away, and dealing with the discomfort of this decision and its implementation.

I spent quite a bit of time here, and even though it was mostly throughout the cold winter months, I still managed to make the most of it and have some really great experiences.

• I went on a good number of hikes in my time here particularly in the fall. I did manage to get a couple in during the winter, and a handful here in the spring prior to leaving (although they were considered incomplete due to the flooding).
  

  Vernon Trails in Winter & Tunnel Island Lookout in Spring

• Drove on an ice road with my car for the first time! I also got to walk on the ice road and have some warm beverages at the local ice hut coffee shop!
  

  Kenora Ice Road

• I reconnected and worked with an old friend & colleague of mine that I used to work with as permanent staff.
• Was there long enough to make it into the yearly work calendar.
  

  A custom calendar filled with photos of staff made yearly!

• Made an appearance on the positivity board!
  
• Sold my house and started my nomadic adventure.
• Met many new people and hopefully added a couple lifelong friends into the mix.
  

  Kenora friends

• My first official job as an RN within the province of Ontario- The province I was educated & trained in but had not yet worked within the Registered Nurse capacity.
• Started walking to work to help myself enjoy more of the outdoors despite being a shift worker where most of my shifts were primarily night shifts.
  

  Ambulating to work independently.

I am so lucky to have developed so many wonderful friendships that I will absolutely return. In which capacity, that remains unclear.

Would I work here again? Most likely- I just need a breath of fresh air, a change in scenery and routine. There’s a reason I am better suited to travel nursing, and these legs are restless.

Will I come back to visit? You betcha. Not only is Kenora filled with wonderful individuals I connected with in meaningful ways, it has an amazing outdoor environment for a lot of my favourite activities!

In closing let me say this: it isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see ya later Kenora!