Melissa Ouwens, PSW
I have been a PSW 2 1/2 years. I went to Georgian College. I have only worked palliative in community and hospice.
I chose to be a PSW after I spent the last weeks of my mother’s life with her in hospice. I chose to become a PSW to give back to others, after spending much of my life in and out of hospitals. I chose to become a PSW after having cancer myself, in hopes of helping patients cope with end of life.
The best thing about being a PSW is feeling like I am helping patients and their families during the one of the hardest times in their lives.
Myke Dyer, PSW
I have been a PSW for six years, approaching five years at Campbell House. I attended Georgian College, Owen Sound Campus. I have strictly worked in palliative/hospice care.
I chose to be a PSW as I have always been interested in palliative care. In the 1980’s I spent time with friends who were at Casey House hospice in Toronto. Casey House was dedicated to men who had AIDS and whose families rejected them because they were opposed to their lifestyle. Not wanting to die at home, my mom ended up in a hospice at the end of her life.
There was an opportunity to do volunteer work at Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce (now Chapman House). I took the fundamentals course and spent just over a year as a volunteer. I loved the work, and encouraged by staff I entered the PSW program with the sole intention of continuing the work I had done as a volunteer.
The best thing about being a PSW is working with a dedicated clinical staff that are compassionate and hard-working. I am a strong advocate for the patients and I cherish the connection made with both patients and family.
Carolyn Foss, PSW
I have been a PSW for 20 years. I went to Georgian College here in Collingwood. I have worked in LTC, Medical/Surgical, Dr’s offices and hospice palliative care.
I choose to become a PSW because I love to help people. I wanted to help people feel better and to help them maintain their dignity and independence as long as possible. I wanted to help make their day better.
The best thing about being a PSW is the ability to help someone. To be there to be help with ADLs, to be a listening ear, be a shoulder to cry on…to be there anyway I can.
My husband is a Registered Nurse at the Collingwood Hospital and I have a cousin who is an RPN in Ottawa.