Tell us about yourself!
Hi, I’m Ahmed Ullah Sayed and I’m a Registered Nurse. I am the Clinical Resource Leader in the Stavro Emergency Department (ED) at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH). I have been working at MGH for six years now.
What motivated you to join MGH?
I was very happy with my placement in an emergency department and even happier when I found out it was close to home at MGH. While it was important to follow my passion to work in the ED, it was also crucial that I felt supported in learning and maintaining other commitments as part of being a mature student. I experienced the true feeling of community, both inside the department, and in the community we serve. I was supported by my preceptor to pursue any learning opportunities at MGH and received support to apply for the New Graduate Guarantee initiative. I was given the opportunity to be trained under this initiative and eventually secured a position in the ED.
What types of learning, mentorship or professional development opportunities have you had the opportunity to pursue since joining MGH?
I was interested in furthering my learning and improving my skills and credentials. While I was wholehearted in my effort towards emergency nursing, I was also encouraged and was able to pursue opportunities in quality improvement, certifications and courses like: Electrocardiogram (ECG), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (PALS), Emergency Practice, Interventions and Care Canada (EPICC), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and a critical care course.
I also had the opportunity to attend educational conferences in emergency medicine, paediatric emergency medicine, SPARK, organ donation and more. This broadened my horizons and allowed me to incorporate evidence-based practice to my work at MGH.
I also saw firsthand how frontline nurses are valued and incorporated in the quality improvement activities of the department through initiatives like nursing council, unit based councils and more. They are part of the leadership team at MGH.
Can you share your career path at MGH?
2016: I was looking for an opportunity to work in emergency medicine. Based on my passion and past experience, I was able to secure a position in MGH’s Stavro Emergency Department via the Nursing Graduate Guarantee initiative.
2018: I was able to consolidate my ACLS instructor status via support from MGH's learning program.
2019: I was given the opportunity to take the role of Clinical Resource Leader in the ED.
2019: I was supported to get my BLS instructor status and teach along with ACLS.
2020: I supported MGH's organizational preparedness by coordinating regular inter-professional mock code blues as well as process and pathways of management development to keep staff and patients safe. Throughout the pandemic I was happy I could support the wellness of the resilient ED team with organizational support.
I continuously support MGH's commitment towards community safety via the Naloxone distribution program from the ED, creating dedicated paediatric space in the ED that is unique among community hospitals and standardization of management of common paediatric emergencies via provincial networks like Kids Health Alliance. I also represent MGH as a key person involved with the Toronto Stroke Network.
What motivates/inspires you?
Everyday I look forward to working with the amazing and dedicated interprofessional team here at MGH. Each day, my resilient colleagues on the ED team come to work with a big smile. We keep community members safe, bring them back from the brink of death and send them home safely. It warms my heart when I see other Clinical Resource Leaders arrive in the ED with open arms to support when we need them.
It inspires me when I see our staff (doctors, nurses, social workers and personal support workers) clean, take care and discharge a patient experiencing homelessness to a safe place.
It also inspires me when I see the appreciation from community members. Whether it is hearing their thanks face-to-face, or when I see a neon heart sign glowing in the windows of a home.
If you could share one memorable moment from your time at MGH, what stands out to you?
I still remember a patient from when I was on the frontline. This patient was very upset, agitated and violent. My colleague tried de-escalation techniques without much success. My experience told me it was a situational crisis and we needed to listen to what this patient was trying to say. With two other colleagues, we all sat and listened. Through listening we discovered this patient was someone in a crisis situation and learned what we could do to help, which included speaking with his mom. After have the opportunity to speak with his mom, the patient was much calmer.
This experience highlights the importance of listening to patients and working together as a team. Together, we were able to give this patient a better experience and turn a negative situation into a positive one.