https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2023/07/24/sous-ministre-de-la-sante-jo-anne-cecchetto
Jo-Anne Cecchetto also maintains a clinical practice to help keep her ‘grounded’
By Jo-Anne Cecchetto
July 24, 2023
Angela Gzowski Photography
“Communication is so important, and I would encourage every nurse to continue to tell their stories and support one another. One of the most endearing characteristics of nurses is their ability to care for others, and, unfortunately, this can also be at the cost of their own self-care. It is important that nurses look out for one another and themselves,” says Jo-Anne Cecchetto.
Editor’s note: Jo-Anne Cecchetto was appointed to the role of deputy minister of Health and Social Services for the Government of the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) in July 2022. Canadian Nurse reached out to her to ask about her accomplishments and priorities over the past year.
What has been your biggest priority in this role?
Thank you for reaching out to me. It is my honour to have an opportunity to speak with the Canadian Nureses Association (CNA).
It is hard to choose one single priority when speaking about our complex health and social services system. Having said this, I would have to say that a key priority is health human resources. It goes without saying that without a stable workforce, it is very difficult to maintain and sustain a health and social services system.
Nursing has seen some very challenging times in the last three years. How do you continue to be so positive and passionate?
As deputy minister, I want to acknowledge that not only has nursing seen some very challenging times in recent years, but the entire health and social services system has as well. I do, however, welcome the opportunity to speak with CNA specifically about nursing.
I think anyone that knows me would say I am a relational type of person. I know this may sound like a cliché or idealistic in some ways, but I do not remember a time when I did not want to be a nurse or didn’t have a passion for nursing. Sometimes this can be challenging when working in roles that are not primarily nursing focused; however, I continue to want to speak to staff and hear from them about their first-hand experiences. This also includes patients as it is important to me to continue to maintain my nurse practitioner practice and hear directly from patients and witness how some of our policy decisions look once operationalized.
You have an active clinical practice as a nurse practitioner. Did you feel it was important to maintain a connection to direct care?
For me, this has been extremely important. One of my personal struggles has been the thought of giving up my clinical practice. While the amount of time I spend with clients has reduced over time, it is just something I can’t let go of. As long as I can continue to practise, I will.
How has being a nurse practitioner influenced the work you do as deputy minister?
I have always loved the balance of clinical and leadership roles. Working with clients and staff helps me feel grounded, especially when I get to see some of our administrative work unfold and at play. Having some first-hand knowledge of working with clients and front-line staff has also helped inform the work I do in leadership roles. At times, it hasn’t been an easy balance due to workload and time commitments, but throughout my career I have always felt that it has been a privilege to be able to work in both areas.
Given the difficulties of the last few years, what words of wisdom and encouragement would you offer for nurses who are feeling frustrated?
It is important that nurses see their individual and collective contribution and value. Sometimes this is hard for them to see, let alone feel, when they continue to face challenges, which can often be daily. Things can become more frustrating when nurses do not speak up or share their concerns. Often this is because they feel they are not being heard or that management should already know. This is also a further challenge when living and working in small and remote communities, where nurses frequently feel isolated, alone and unheard. Communication is so important, and I would encourage every nurse to continue to tell their stories and support one another. One of the most endearing characteristics of nurses is their ability to care for others, and, unfortunately, this can also be at the cost of their own self-care. It is important that nurses look out for one another and themselves.
In your former roles, what are you most proud of?
There are many initiatives that I have been able to be a part of over the years, for which I am very thankful. These types of things come and go, but I would say that I am most proud of the people I have met and worked with and what they have taught me — some lessons harder than others, and often about myself.
What do you enjoy most about living and working in the North?
I have always said that the North has been very good to me, both personally and professionally. The North is the best kept secret of Canada, both in lifestyle and in careers. Nursing is a unique and diverse role in the N.W.T. Coming north approximately 35 years ago was exciting and scary at the same time. Initially, not knowing what I didn’t know was probably a blessing at the time. The more knowledge I gained, the harder it was to leave. There are so many opportunities in nursing in the N.W.T., in all domains and areas of practice. I would encourage anyone that has ever thought of coming to the N.W.T. to do it. You won’t be disappointed!
Jo-Anne Cecchetto, MN, NP, is the deputy minister of Health and Social Services for the Government of the Northwest Territories. She has been working in the N.W.T. for more than 30 years.
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