From the desk of Sunbeam Nurse Taylor Wood
One morning this summer, I was sitting at the kitchen table enjoying my coffee when I came across the job posting for the Sunbeam Nurse. I read it over and over, trying to find the catch. What was I missing? Was it possible that I found my dream job and it happened to be in my backyard? I quickly pulled up my resume and started reformatting. I was happy to delete all of the mundane details of hospital nursing and focus more on my volunteer work as a community member and the odd jobs that brought me to this place in my life (if anyone needs their pinball machine fixed, I’m your girl!).
Your gift to the Maine Seacoast Mission makes you part of all we do.
Over the next few months, as I progressed through the interview process and held my breath, I thought a lot about healthcare here in Maine. As an ICU, home health, and hospice nurse, I have worked across the country and have seen the disparities that different communities face. Yet Maine became my home, not because it was the easiest place to work in healthcare (it isn’t!) but because of the community here. My neighbors are always looking out for each other, are quick to lend a hand, and are so generous. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
My first month at the Mission was both fast and slow- fast, because there is so much to learn and so many people to meet, and slow, because the winter weather doesn’t really seem to care! I am grateful for each successful trip that we have, and even though I am a new face, I have been warmly welcomed.
The other day I headed off the boat on a ten-degree morning to collect lab work for an islander. They were so glad to see me- our visit that day saved them an entire day’s travel, sometimes even requiring a hotel stay, just to get some blood drawn. We chatted about the weather and the solitude of the island, and they shared their family’s long history in their home. On my way back to the boat, battling a brain freeze in the wind, I relished this opportunity that I have been given: to provide care the way it should be. Unhurried and patient centered.
I’m excited to continue the work of the great nurses before me, offering health screenings, helping facilitate telehealth appointments, and stopping in for home visits. I also look forward to many good conversations over cups of coffee and bowls of Siobhan’s delicious soup, listening to the needs of the island community and figuring out how the Mission and I can help.