SHARE
Nursing Spotlight: Nicole Burke
April 24, 2025
Emergency Room Nurse, Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital, St. Anthony
I graduated from nursing in 2003, at the age of 29—a late bloomer!
I studied at Algonquin College in Ottawa and began my career there as a Vascular Surgical RN. I can’t pinpoint one specific reason for choosing nursing. I just knew I wanted a profession where I could “earn my keep” and help others. In a way, becoming a Registered Nurse was selfish—because I get so much fulfillment from it.
I came to St. Anthony because I wanted to work in Newfoundland and Labrador, to get the homesickness out of my system. At the time, it was the only place I could find full-time work as an RN in the province. I came for two years, but I stayed for the lifestyle—and for what became a dream job.
Today, I work in the Emergency Room at Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital. Like most RNs these days, a typical shift means being a jack of all trades. We treat patients with complex needs and multiple comorbidities—the sickest of the sick. Working in a rural ER with an aging population means we must know a little about a lot, and apply that knowledge with care, humanity, and intelligence in a chaotic, understaffed environment.
No two days are alike. Breaks are rare, because the people relieving us are just as busy. We treat everything from strokes and heart attacks to overdoses, traumas, influenza, mental health crises, and even prescription refills. We also take on clerical and portering duties, consult with other specialties, coordinate urgent transports—the list is endless. But most importantly, every once in a while, we save a life. And sometimes, we lose one. It may sound dramatic, but that’s the reality.
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to learn—every shift teaches me something new. I also care deeply about my coworkers, and we support each other when we need it most.
The biggest challenge is going home and trying to disconnect from the feeling that I couldn’t give a patient everything they deserved, simply because we’re spread too thin. Bringing a physically and mentally exhausted body home to my family is tough. Every nurse out there knows that feeling.
While I’ve briefly worked in other areas, the ER is where I want to be. I don’t believe any one area of nursing is easier than another, and I’m grateful for the experiences and learning that help me provide the best care I can.
I’ve also been involved in the union for many years. I became a shop steward almost 10 years ago and took on the role of Branch President five years ago—thanks to a push from my then-coworker and Regional Representative, Raelynn Strangemore. At first, I didn’t think I was up to the responsibility. But I’ve learned that the more you invest in your profession and in the people standing up for it, the more you get back. Volunteers who work hard to protect our profession and our patients are invaluable.
I want to see fairness and respect in the workplace, shared between employees and employers. When we listen to each other, we can start to improve the work environment.
I also serve on several committees at the local and regional levels, including the Recruitment and Retention Committee for the Labrador-Grenfell Zone, the Provincial Professional Practice Committee, and the Occupational Health and Violence Prevention Committee (which has recently wound down).
One event that had a lasting impact on me was attending the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour’s Triennial Convention in 2022. There, I saw firsthand the power of workers supporting workers. In a time when COVID left so many of us questioning our choices, hearing stories of bravery and hardship from fellow nurses and frontline workers renewed my energy to keep going—and keep fighting for our profession and our patients.
One of the biggest issues facing nursing today is getting governments to truly respect the work we do and the people we do it for. We need resources. We need staffing. And we need action—not lip service.
I’ll end with one memory that has stuck with me. A terminally ill patient had to spend the night in our ER on a stretcher. We did our best to preserve their comfort, dignity, and privacy. In the early morning, when it was quiet, they asked for cranberry juice and drank it like it was the best thing in the world. Then they looked at me and the paramedic and said, “I think God points his finger at certain people and says, ‘You will be a nurse,’ because not everyone is cut out for it.”
“I think God points his finger at certain people and says, ‘You will be a nurse,’ because not everyone is cut out for it.”
I’m not religious in a traditional sense—being outdoors is my church—but that moment has stayed with me. It reminded me that, to someone, this profession meant the world. And to be seen that way—as someone born to be a nurse—is an honour. I think of that moment whenever I get cranky or complain.
If you want to learn every day, meet people with stories that make you appreciate life, and experience the full range of emotions in a 12-hour shift—become an ER nurse. What you say and do really can make a difference in someone’s life.
I believe nursing is becoming a powerful voice in our political landscape. The leaders we have right now are dynamic, driven, and educating the public about the realities of health care like never before. They’re pushing government to act, and the more informed the public is, the more they can demand real solutions. We need to work together—on the same page—because, as the saying goes, we are stronger together.