We're Growing!
Jessica Laskowski grew up in Hamilton with a keen interest in the functions of the human brain and knowing she had a calling for helping people.
After completing her bachelors in nursing at McMaster University and becoming a registered nurse in 2012, Jessica had no doubt in her mind she would pursue her calling by following her passion for mental health care.
Jessica learned about psychiatric nursing on placements in her studies both in child psychiatry and acquired brain industry units at hospitals in the region.
At a career fair she met nurse managers from St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Instantly Jessica remembers feeling aligned with St. Joe’s philosophy towards treating the whole person – body, mind and spirit.
It wasn’t long after that she chose to accept a position as a registered nurse at our West 5th Campus’ Acute Psychiatry unit. What started as a choice between a few offers in the region quickly became the first and most important pillar in her career path.
"I love coming to work at St. Joe’s in the morning because the culture is so positive. My manager is motivating and the team I work with has great communication and is very patient-oriented," says Jessica. “I have a real sense of connection with patients and at the end of the day that is what I find so rewarding."
While working at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s West 5th Campus, she enjoys living in a Stoney Creek Mountain neighbourhood close to entertainment amenities that is perfectly situated to allow her to pursue her love of fitness training by running on the many recreational routes and trails close by.
Jessica encourages any new graduate or anyone at any stage in their career to consider working at the West 5th Campus if they think they might have a passion for mental health – not only because of the meaningful work helping patients, but because it’s an exciting time of transformation in mental health care.
In February 2014, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton will open a brand new facility, The Margaret and Charles Juravinski Centre for Integrated Healthcare, at the West 5th Campus that will positively transform the way we deliver mental health and medical care in our region. The new facility will integrate inpatient and outpatient services along with community medical services, research areas and academic partnerships for the first time in Hamilton. The facility will have capacity for 305 beds, and will be the new home of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences of McMaster University.
"I’m looking forward to the new facility at the West 5th Campus,” says Jessica. “I love the way the facility itself promotes the reduction of stigma associated with mental illness and encourages recovery focused care."
Not only will the new facility require the recruitment of many more registered nursing positions, but St. Joseph’s will also be looking to hire roles within the multidisciplinary team including allied health, medical and support roles.
Recruitment for the new facility and the growth that St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton expects to experience across the organization will take place over the next few years.
If you’re looking to make a difference, consider taking Jessica’s advice and following in the footsteps of over 4800 employees that have found their calling at one of Canada’s named Top 100 Employers by joining St. Joe’s team.
For more information, please contact:
Megan Bieksa
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
905-522-1155 Ext. 33037
mbieksa@stjoes.ca