Meet Christine Lauw, Registered Practical Nurse in the Family Birthing Centre at MGH

Tell us about yourself!

Hi, my name is Christine Lauw and I’m a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) working in post-partum care in the Family Birthing Centre at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).

What motivated you to join MGH?

I was first introduced to the Family Birthing Centre at MGH during my maternity placement for my RPN program in 2018.

After graduating and getting my nursing licence, I knew that I wanted to work here because of the inspiring nurses that I met during my placement and the opportunity to help with newborns and their families.

I like that MGH is a community-based hospital and had been awarded one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for several years in a row.

Now, almost two years later, I see the opportunities and possibilities that are available at MGH and I feel even more motivated to continue my nursing education and develop my career here.

What types of learning, mentorship or professional development opportunities have you had the opportunity to pursue since joining MGH?

While my career in post-partum nursing has been relatively short so far, it has been full of learning and development opportunities.

I have been given opportunities to mentor students and precept new staff.

I have trained and learned new nursing skills, including training to become a scrub nurse. This means I can now join the team in the operating room during scheduled caesarean sections (c-sections).

My colleagues are my mentors. I observe and learn from their collected knowledge on a daily basis. 

I feel a tremendous sense of pride in my career path as a result of these ongoing opportunities and continue to develop my nursing practice.

Can you share your career path at MGH?

September 2020: I wrote my licencing exam and joined the College of Nurses of Ontario in November.

December 2020: One month later, I started in my current role as a post-partum nurse in MGH’s Family Birthing Centre.

I felt great pride in having started my nursing career during the pandemic. I knew that I was doing my part to support newborns and their families during the many challenges and changes that we were all experiencing as a society.

2022: I received training which allowed me to be a scrub nurse during c-sections.

What motivates or inspires you?

I feel a sense of dedication to the people I work with and the people I serve.

I have always loved spending time with babies and this is no different. I feel inspired to be the best nurse I can be by the daily interactions I have with all people, big and small.

I enjoy the camaraderie, the commitment to the work and the support shared with my colleagues.

I love the fast-paced environment, evidence-based care and the families and interdisciplinary teams I get to work with here.

I am inspired to continue my education so that I can further my career working with babies.   

If you could share one memorable moment from your time at MGH, what stands out to you?

I have many memorable moments to reflect on.

I am always very touched when families share their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for what I feel is only a small part in their experience. Supporting new parents and having a laugh with them is something I enjoy and also where I draw my energy from.

I also enjoy when families share with me the significance behind why they chose their baby’s name. Sometimes I am the very first person to wish the baby a happy birthday using their name. That always feels special to me.

I have many rewarding experiences with my patients, but also with my colleagues.

A very special moment during my time at MGH includes the day I was awarded the Donnet Queensborough Nursing Award. I was very surprised and delighted.

Donnet was a very special nurse at MGH who embodied all the great qualities of nursing. She dedicated herself to her post-partum patients and was a well-loved and respected nurse. This award was created by her colleagues as a way to honour her memory after her sudden passing.

This award is so meaningful to me because I was chosen by my peers. It’s only given to one Registered Practical Nurse and one Registered Nurse at the hospital each year.

As a post-partum nurse in the Family Birthing Centre, I am eagerly anticipating what's next to come in my career here.