Staff Spotlight: Nurse Anesthetist Valcourt Kettelene

Q: What led you to pursue a career in healthcare?

A: I’ve loved healthcare since I was a child —I even dreamed of becoming a doctor. But because of financial limitations, I couldn’t pursue that, so I had to choose nursing instead. Becoming a nurse anesthetist wasn’t my original plan either. It happened because I was a top student in nursing school, and I performed well at my job. After a year at Lumière Hospital they chose to send me to train as a nurse anesthetist. I received that training at Lumière Hospital in Bonne Fin [in southern Haiti].

Q: Why did you want to work at St. Boniface Hospital (SBH)?

A: I enjoy working at SBH because we have access to materials and medications in a timely manner, enabling us to provide care effectively. Although we sometimes face small problems, we manage them efficiently. I chose to stay at SBH even though I could earn more elsewhere. The way the hospital operates makes me want to continue working here.

Q: What do you like about your job, and what do you find challenging?

I don’t have a specific preference in my work — I feel comfortable doing all of it. What’s challenging for us is the shortage of staff for rotations, which leaves us feeling very tired.

It’s also a difficult profession because it’s hard to find available anesthetists, since we’re in high demand in the job market.

Q: Can you describe for us a memorable patient, surgical procedure, or experience you had at SBH?

A: I remember a patient who had a strangulated hernia. The patient was in very serious condition—even unconscious before entering the operating room. I told the surgeon this would be a difficult case. We had to speak with the patient’s parents to explain the risks involved. We asked them for permission to do what we could. The parent accepted and said, “Well, I have no choice. If he’s not operated on, he’ll die—try, maybe there’s a chance he’ll live.”

Truly, we went into the operating room with him, and everything went well. The next day when I went to see the patient, I was shocked to see he was already back to normal and speaking with me.

Q: What are your career goals for the upcoming year?

A: Right now, I would like to keep learning, but due to the situation in the country and my responsibilities at home, I don’t have enough time. But whenever I do have time, I will continue learning.

Q: If you could share one piece of advice with someone entering the field of anesthesia, what would it be?

A: To all specialized nurses: this is a beautiful profession. If you love it, don’t hesitate to pursue it. But if you don’t love it, don’t go into it — because it’s a job that has to be done with love.