Empowering Nurses for Positive Change in Healthcare Systems
In the spring of 2024, Canadian Red Cross health advisor Lynn Henderson arrived in Ukraine to deliver a series of trainings for personnel of the First Medical Union of Lviv, which is the largest healthcare facility in Western Ukraine.Since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated in 2022, Lviv has become a refuge for people who have been internally displaced, and a hub for patients from all over Ukraine seeking medical care. Lynn was expecting to find nurses that were overworked and burnt out. Instead, she recalls meeting with nurses who were engaged, brilliant, and eager to bring positive change in their healthcare system.
(Credit: First Medical Union of Lviv)
The Ukrainian Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross worked together to support nurses navigating this challenging context by strengthening their most crucial skills, such as wound care, psychological first aid, and protection, gender equality and inclusion.
Building Relationships Based on Respect and Mutual Learning
To design the most impactful training program, Lynn first had to understand not only the local context but also how the healthcare system works in Ukraine. She focused on creating a safe, positive, and interactive environment where nurses felt comfortable sharing their experiences, using critical thinking, and learning from each other.Manikins and other nursing training props provided the opportunity to build assessment skills and to practice procedures such as IV insertions and wound care in the safety of the training room.
(Credit: Canadian Red Cross)
Lynn also likes to add a playful touch to her training sessions. Fake blood to teach wound care and stool-shaped chocolate to assess bowel movements were part of Lynn's toolkit to lighten the mood and make the learning process interactive. She finds that these bonding moments were as important as the training itself.
“Nurses everywhere share a unique bond and a quirky sense of humour that transcends borders. It’s this connection and mutual support that make our work fulfilling,” says Lynn.
Introducing New, Evidence-based Practices
The Nursing Leadership Support Project contributed to supporting Ukraine’s healthcare reform by expanding nursing skills. Lynn felt inspired by her Ukrainian colleagues and their eagerness to learn and implement new techniques. The impact of the training - a collaborative effort between the Ukrainian Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross, with input from local healthcare workers - was evident as nurses appreciated the value of new methods and tools they were introduced to. The chief nurse of the First Medical Union of Lvivalso played a pivotal role in supporting these changes, aiming to make the hospital a leader in healthcare transformation.
(Credit: Canadian Red Cross)
Between March and August 2024, in collaboration with colleagues from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, Lynn and her colleague Faiza Rab delivered training to 245 nurses. The Nursing Leadership Support Project was based on a train-the-trainer approach: with Lynn and Faiza’s coaching and support, trained nurses went on to deliver the training to their colleagues to make their learnings accessible to as many as possible.
Fostering a Global Nursing Community
Lynn Henderson's journey with the Red Cross is a story of compassion, education, and global impact. While she enjoyed various nursing roles, her interest for global health and nursing education led her to pursue a humanitarian career with the Red Cross.Lynn's ultimate goal is to foster a global community of nurses. She hopes to see more collaboration and support among nurses worldwide, sharing knowledge and experiences to improve healthcare systems everywhere. “There’s a lot more to be done to help them gain the respect and resources they deserve,” she concludes.
Lynn's experiences remind us that by sharing knowledge and fostering global connections, we can make a significant impact on healthcare and humanitarian efforts worldwide.
