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Laura Turpin provides calm, expert care in the most critical moments
May 15, 2025
A Welcoming Presence in Emergency Care
When patients arrive at the emergency department in Old Perlican, many are in distress, pain, or crisis. But for those greeted by Registered Nurse Laura Turpin, that tension often lifts immediately.
“You automatically feel a bit better,” wrote one patient in their nomination of Turpin. “She’s the most kindest nurse there… her professionalism is top tier… The way she deals with mental health is like no other. She’s the best, and I wish there were more like her.”
Turpin has been drawn to nursing since childhood. “I wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little—like, kindergarten little,” she said. That calling has only deepened with time.
Nursing in a High-Stakes Rural Setting
Working in a rural emergency department comes with significant challenges. Nurses in rural emergency rooms are seeing more patients with serious conditions—like chest pain and shortness of breath—who are bypassing larger centers in hopes of shorter wait times. It’s a worrying trend that puts lives at risk and places even greater demands on under-resourced teams.
In these high-pressure moments, Turpin draws on both her experience and the strength of her team.
“Inside, I might panic a little at first,” she said. “But I take a deep breath and remind myself—I’m here, I know what I’m doing, and I’ve got a team around me.”
That includes a network of experienced nurses who are just a phone call away. “If I call and say I need help, they’ll come—no questions asked. They’ll drop everything and be there, even on their day off. That’s the kind of team we have.”
Positivity as a Professional Standard
Turpin’s optimism is part of what makes her stand out. Amidst short staffing, burnout, and an influx of critically ill patients, she maintains a steadfastly positive outlook.
“I don’t watch the news. I live in the here and now,” she said. “If I stay negative, that’s what I reflect back to my patients. And I don’t want to be that kind of nurse.”
That attitude has earned her a reputation not just for kindness, but for professionalism. As one patient put it: “Soon as you enter emerg and see her, you automatically feel a bit better.”
Expert Care in Every Situation
For Turpin, expert care isn’t just about having the right answers—it’s about knowing when to seek them out.
“In nursing school, one of my instructors told me, ‘You’ve just started a career where you’ll be learning for the rest of your life.’ And it’s true. I still learn something new every day.”
Working without many of the supports found in larger hospitals, Turpin says expert care means staying current on best practices, knowing how to advocate for patients, and recognizing when to call for help.
“You have to stay on top of your education,” she said. “You need to know what you’re doing—because in a rural setting, sometimes you’re the only one there. But you’re never truly alone. You’ve got your team, your doctors, your LPNs, and the senior nurses who will show up if you need them.”
It’s a model of care built on competence, collaboration, and commitment—and Turpin is proud to be part of it.
Proud to Be Part of a Resilient Nursing Community
Despite the challenges, Turpin remains deeply proud of her profession—and especially of her peers.
“Nurses in Newfoundland are a little bit different,” she said. “No matter what we’re going through, we slog through it and get it done. We help people every day, even when the resources aren’t there, even when it’s not technically part of our role.”
That resilience, she says, sets nurses in this province apart. “We don’t just give vitals and pills and end our day. We do everything. We fill in the gaps because we care.”
Still, it’s the emotional connection with patients that fuels her passion.
“I love my job. I love helping people. And when I see a patient walking down the road weeks later—someone I helped save—that’s everything.”