Routine IT maintenance on Wednesday, June 18 will cause service interruptions between midnight and 6:00am affecting the YourHealthNS app and on-line appointment booking including COVID-19 testing, blood collection, X-Ray, EKG and the Need a Family Practice Registry. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Kim Grant has seen first-hand the valuable contributions nurses make in providing comfort in stressful times. So much so that it drew her to the profession.
Kim's journey to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) began 26 years ago. She was driven by personal motivations that continue to shape her passion for caregiving.
Her interest in nursing began following her husband’s journey with cancer, which began in 1995. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1999. “My husband received excellent care, and the nurses made a positive impression on me. Their dedication inspired me to return to school and pursue a career in nursing.”
Following four years of nursing in Ontario, Kim moved to Nova Scotia in 2008, where she settled in Dartmouth, and continued her career with Nova Scotia Health as part of the organization’s Mental Health and Addiction Services team.
Over several years, Kim connected with Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care to support her father, who experienced dementia and required home support and respite care when her mom was ill. In 2022, he transitioned to a nursing home, not far from where she lives, so she can visit him often. “It was such a relief for our family to have Dad settled into a long-term care facility, and it was all thanks to Continuing Care,” she shares.
Her positive experience with Continuing Care inspired her to join the program’s nursing team. “When I saw an LPN position available with Continuing Care, I knew I had to work there because they were so instrumental in getting Dad to where he is now,” she says. “He is doing so well and is thriving; his functioning has improved because he is happy and has a community of people around him. Although he still struggles with dementia, through consistent care and close monitoring of his medications, along with a sense of community, he is doing better than he has in years,” adds Kim.
Kim plays an integral role as part of an interprofessional team at Continuing Care, which supports people who need home care, community care services and long-term care. As an LPN with the program’s Nursing Only Authorization Team (NOAT), she supports individuals in accessing non-complex care services (e.g. wound care, IV antibiotics, etc.) in the community. Care is provided at community nursing clinics or at the place an individual calls home if they are unable to attend a clinic.
One of the many things she enjoys about her role with Continuing Care is the work-life balance it provides. In addition to spending time with her father and other family members, including her four adult children, Kim enjoys fibre art (e.g., felting), glass fusion, hiking, camping, paddleboarding, walking and photography.
If you or your loved one needs assistance remaining in your home or requires support following a recent hospital stay, you can be referred to Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care. For more information or to make a referral, call 1-800-225-7225 (toll-free in Nova Scotia). Continuing care will work with you or your loved one to create a plan of care that is right for you. For more information, visit https://www.nshealth.ca/continuing-care.
Photo of Kim Grant.