Making a difference
Military nursing career proves fulfilling for Port aux Basques, N.L., native
When you witness true devastation in underprivileged and war-torn countries, you can’t help but want to make a difference.
Lieut. (Navy) Lois Lane
PORT AUX BASQUES, N.L.— Lois Lane joined the military because of her Tae Kwon Do instructor.
“Grand Master Simon from Stephenville recommended it. There was another Port aux Basques native, Glen Butt, who was in the military at the time and he was very competitive in Tae Kwon Do, who also encouraged me when training together,” recalls Lieut. (Navy) Lane via email.
Initially, Lane dreamed of competing in the Pan Am games as a military athlete, but her Tae Kwon Do career ended in university. She attended Sir Wilfred Grenfell College and had completed two years of pre-pharmacy training when she decided to make a drastic career move, switching to nursing and applying for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
“My family was shocked,” admits Lane, who recognized that for her a traditional nursing career would not suffice. “I knew that I wanted adventure and I wanted to deploy overseas to help those less fortunate. It seemed like the best way to get both of those things.”
Lane is deployed as a critical care nursing officer for Op IMPACT in Erbil, Iraq. It’sher third time stationed overseas. She also served for five months in 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as part of Op ATHENA. In 2012 she sailed on the USNS Mercy, a hospital ship serving Vietnam and Cambodia as part of a United States Humanitarian Operation.
While on deployment, Lane’s primary role is to care for patients in the trauma bay and intensive care unit until they are evacuated, although she says most of the time she is filling an administrative or leadership role on the base.
“With my current unit I spend quite a bit of time on field exercises, either practising my skillsetwith other medical professionals and preparing for war/natural disasters or planning, training and evaluating others while they are preparing,” Lane explains.
“While in garrison I carry two high-readiness positions: Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART) and Major Air Disaster (MAJAID). What this means is that I am always on standby to be deployed anywhere a disaster may strike.”
Fourteen years after first joining the CAF, Lane still loves her job.
“After working alongside other nations, I honestly do feel that this is the best country in the world. I have had so many amazing experiences because of the military and I am really looking forward to seeing what other adventures are in store. Secondly, the nursing profession is extremely rewarding and self-fulfilling.”
That holds true regardless of whether she serves overseas or works in a Canadian civilian hospital.
“The highlight of my nursing career thus far was serving in Afghanistan at the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit,” says Lane.
“We had a success rate of 98 per cent, meaning if you arrived alive, you have a 98 per cent chance of leaving alive. This is the highest survival rate ever recorded for victims of war.”
Her experiences have broadened her perspective. She admits she often hears people express opinions that are not always supportive of CAF overseas operations.
“When you witness true devastation in underprivileged and war-torn countries, you can’t help but want to make a difference. I want the world to be a better place and I want to do anything that I can to contribute.”
When she’s not deployed overseas, Lane is stationed at CFB Petawawa. She usually manages to visit her hometown of Port aux Basques every second summer.
“I really miss my family when I am away. My spouse is also a critical care nurse and we spentquite a bit of time away from home.”
This is the first time Lane has been deployed overseas since having her two children. Ava is fiveand Cole is two. It’s the little things such as singing them to sleep and taking them to school that she misses the most. Then there’s the personal time like cooking and friends, and what she calls the chaos of everyday life.
“I hate missing out on the simple moments, especially since they are only small for a shortperiod of time.”
Lane is motivated to set a strong example for her children. She recounts a story about attending a Remembrance Day ceremony at her daughter’s school last fall. After the ceremony, her daughter remarked that Lane was one of only two women in uniform.
“My kids are always watching and noticing things that even I don’t see. I want them to know that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from.You can be anything you want to be.”
Like most parents stationed overseas, Lane takes full advantage of modern technology to FaceTime her children to remain involved.
“A lot of us that are parents over here have learned to disconnect a little as soon as we arrive.We are here to do a job and carry out a very important role. We always remain focused on the goal, but never forget to make time to call home and talk to our loved ones.”
Lane acknowledges that her unorthodox career is not for everyone, but strongly recommends it to anyone with even the slightest interest. In addition to the excitement, versatility, and opportunities for training there are also the benefits of paid education, job security and an excellent pension.
And there is one other huge benefit to joining the CAF.
“I feel like I have the most amazing military family. The camaraderie is indescribable. I have friends that I have made over the years that have become my chosen family.”