Summerside nurse honoured for service
Samantha Arsenault, who works in surgery and restorative care at the Prince County Hospital, is this month’s winner of the P.E.I. French Health Network’s Étoile Santé campaign.
Arsenault graduated from École Évangéline in 2006. She continued her education in nursing at Université de Moncton, receiving her degree in December 2010. During her last two years of study, she took part in a provincial government sponsorship program.
In addition to awarding her a scholarship, the provincial government guaranteed her a twoyear position in P.E.I.
“I started to work in Prince County Hospital’s medical and palliative care unit. After my maternity leave, my two-year position was coming to an end, so I applied for a permanent position in surgery. I’ve been there since August 2013,” she says.
Arsenault was named Étoile Santé for her discretion and hard work helping her patients get well after surgery. She is a positive person, an important quality to have in the field of health and as part of a team.
In addition to all these skills, Arsenault speaks French.
“I enjoy being able to speak French to the patients in my unit, but I am also called upon to go to the emergency department or other areas of the hospital to serve as an interpreter.
“It’s important to understand and to be understood when there’s an accident or health issues, as much for the patient as for the people with him or her,” she says.
Arsenault, the mother of two young children and a talented fiddler, has been a member of a few musical groups and still occasionally performs with her husband, Nick Arsenault. She even finds time to get involved in the community as she is the chair of the Pomme et Rinette early years centre board of directors.
Arsenault’s contact information can be found in the bilingual service provider directory at www.santeipe.ca/repertoire.