Aug. 10, 2023
Flex Friday: Sutton Garner
Welcome to the 2023/24 yearâs Flex Friday series! This week, weâre introducing Sutton Garner, a third-year direct entry student entering Term 5 this fall. Sutton has done extensive work alongside nursing school to care for vulnerable populations in Calgaryâs communities. Sheis passionate about reflective practice in any setting she works in. Meet Sutton!
Why are you pursuing nursing?
Sutton speaks to the way her parents fostered a culture of nurturing and compassion throughout her life, along with a sustained interest in anatomy and physiology, as they both worked in community and public service industries. âWhen I was eight, we were raising money for the Rockyview NICU'' she says, a place where she received a tour of the units and thus developed an interest in the paediatric population.
Can you share about what you would like to do after graduation?
âIâm not exactly certain where I want to practice as a nurse, but I figure itâll have something to do with acute care,or working with vulnerable populations.â Suttonâs interests lie in critical thinking and applied scientific knowledge and she says, âMy experience with has definitely developed my interest in the socioeconomic determinants of health.â
Can you tell me a little bit more about I Can For Kids?
In 2015, at age 11, Sutton became the spokesperson and cofounder of the collaborative community initiative, I Can For Kids, âWe provide [an] evidence-based, year-round grocery gift card program that empowers food-insecure families with the dignity and confidence to plan, purchase and provide the foods that best meet their familyâs unique needs.â
Sutton speaks about her motivation to start the foundation when considering the lack of school lunch programs during summer break. To address this, the foundation started as a summer-only food package delivery program which evolved to a year-round âgrocery gift card model.â The latter model has been the topic of a study within the OâBrien Institute of Public Health at the ÁùŸĆÉ«ÌĂ, with results that support an increase in access to unique food requirements, dignity, and autonomy of the population of interest. âIt pays off to be bold; you gotta stir the pot here and there.â
What work or extracurricular activities are you involved in?
Currently, Sutton works as an HCA after having just completed Term 4 of her nursing education. âItâs definitely given me insight into the various needs and challenges within various populations.â The facility Sutton works in cares for residents in supportive living to long-term care for patients living with advanced dementia. Sutton reflects on the perspective that she has acquired from just having completed Term 4 to now working as an HCA and says âit has taught me to manage the needs of the person, not just the illnessâŠit really encourages holistically looking past the residentsâ health challenges to making the environment suited to their health values, beliefs, and wishes, more than that transactional [thinking that] Iâm going to fix your disease.â
When did you feel most successful during your nursing career so far?
âIt wasnât when I did well on an exam or test, it was when I saw a patient smile a little bit extraâŠit was gratifying to make someoneâs day more hopeful or comfortable.â Sutton explains that, to her, patient-centered care means meeting clients and their health challenges where they are, instead of focusing treatment on where one wants them to be.
In your perspective, what is your greatest strength and challenge in nursing?
âMy compassion and curiosity drive my practice. As a nurse, I aspire to humanize medical care for my patients, capitalizing on genuine empathy and caring for them as a person, not a disease.â
Sutton makes a profound connection between curiosity being a basis for solving complex health issues by allowing professionals to âembody their clientsâ circumstances.â
When asked about her challenges, Sutton shares a greater appreciation for burnout and âtrying to find a balance between home life and work life.â She also shares feelings of imposter syndrome in clinical settings relating to attempts to find a way to take space while being humble and yet confident in her skills. However, Sutton comments on the professional evolution she experiences from asking questions from mentors and instructors in such situations. âYour career will be a mosaic of everything youâve taken in.â
How has the transition from nursing theory to clinical practice been for you?
âIâm actually kind of thankful for not being chucked into the deep endâŠyet,â Sutton jokes. She reflects on the importance she has derived from recognizing community and public health as theoretical foundations, and long-term care as the practical foundation of our health-care system. âIt was also helpful to have a great instructorâ who promoted higher standards early in their studentsâ nursing careers.
What has been your favourite subject so far, or is one that you are looking forward to?
âI love physiology; just anything to do with how things work in the body.â Sutton excitedly shares her anticipation for her upcoming Terms 5 and 6, in which she hopes to understand the impact of pharmacological treatments on the body to a greater extent. She also mentions her interests in paediatric populations and in the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, comparing them to the likes of the solar system. âThey are both the centre of the universe in the body in a unique way.â
Any advice for incoming students?
âIt is a journey; you go through the hard, ugly, wonderful, [and] chaotic. Itâs important to always stay humble but remain confident in your knowledge, skills and character.â
Sutton shares her thoughts on the versatility in nursing and the importance of making even the slightest difference in settings that may not align with studentsâ initial pretenses about nursing school. âI wish I was told this earlier, but itâs okay to lose your spark in nursingâŠthe beauty is you can help people in so many different ways and environments that you may find your passion in unexpected places.â She expands on the unrealistic expectation of feeling satisfaction in every moment during a career in health care and to let the smaller moments carry greater meaning in oneâs drive to pursue such careers.
Rapid Fire!
Best place to study on campus?
âAnywhere with comfy couches and outlets. If I need to grind [some work out], I prefer the Science Theatre basement for quick access to cinnamon buns.â
What are some things you like to do for fun?
âJust adventuring in the outdoors, [itâs] good for the soul and nature is a good centering place; it provides clarity and peace that we need from nursing school. Something to satisfy my curiosity and challenge my comfort zone.â Her favourite activities in particular are âhiking, camping, and paddle boardingâŠ. I think flying is pretty cool too â someday when I win the lottery, Iâll get my pilotâs license!â
What has your summer looked like so far?
Sutton has had extensive road-tripping and camping adventures so far this summer, from crossing borders to finding the greatest national parks. âWe went down from Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and then we came across California, Oregon, Washington and back up through BC.â
Who are your greatest role models?
Sutton mentions her parents: âI want to be like them when I grow upâŠtheir lifestyle and work ethic is reflected in mine.â
Favourite Mac Hall Spot or in the University District?
âI would say Freshii or [Village] Ice Cream: you canât go wrong with ice cream.â
Final words
âIâll end on this quote from Robin Williams in Patch Adams, âWhen you treat a disease, you win, you lose, but when you treat a person, I guarantee you that youâll win no matter what the outcome.ââ
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