Kevin Ryan

The needle has landed!

I was a little unsure I should even post this video when I made it last year and now it's at over 73000 views. I'm humbed that you have included it as part of your Chritmas playlist! I'm happy to be home with the fam this year. I hope you are too, but if you are working tonight and tomorrow, a big THANK YOU! Stay tuned for new material and news in 2021! https://www.facebook.com/KevinNSandS/videos/463138127942796

A tribute to nurses and health care professionals who show up to work no matter what. Original song written and performed by Kevin Ryan, RN.

I have to share this heart felt message from the down-to-earth, rock star premier of Prince Edward Island, Canada - Dennis King. This type of empathy and confidence is what we all need going forward with our families, our communities, and our planet as we enter the uncharted waters of Week #2. COVID-19 is apolitical and one dimensional. Let's meet it with equal resolve. https://www.facebook.com/DennisKing/videos/228504605008947/

I’m sure most of us hope that common sense prevails with people making decisions on the entire population’s health based on best practises recommended by experts, and not inflammatory social media memes. This is indeed an unprecedented time and although concern runs high, it has been fascinating to watch. And perhaps an opportunity. In an increasingly polarised world, a chance for people and communities to come together for the good of all, regardless of political or cultural... beliefs. Perhaps social distancing can lead to social togetherness and connection in the end when this all comes to pass. And it will come to pass. Sports are cancelled. Theatre is cancelled. Just about everything is cancelled. I keep clicking on my sports websites to check the latest news and scores out of habit. Last night, I realized something. With entertainment choices limited and digital media monotonous, it presents other personal growth opportunities. How often do we lament that we would love to get projects off the ground if only I had the time? Writing, exercising, learning an instrument, woodworking, finishing the basement, reading the classics, hiking outdoors It all seemed so elusive to me for years. Now an (unfortunate) global phenomenon presents itself, and the universe says, There’s your time. What are you going to do with it? And in the greater context of our lives, pre-virus or post-virus, isn’t that the question we should be asking anyway? Nurses, as always, will be there to meet the COVID-19 crisis head on. Let’s make self care part of the strategy. Viva Ilatia! https://www.theguardian.com//solidarity-balcony-singing-sp

I did this video a year ago, and it already is nostalgic to me considering all that has happened since. Hard to believe we can look at a year ago as a "simpler time". Maybe it will be more of a minimalist holiday this year, but that might be nice too. Let's give a thought to our nurses who are still, and always will be, giving their all at Christmas and throughout the year, hoping (but not saying) for things to be "silent" as well. https://fb.watch/2fg-E3RRGs/

When I saw this video for the first time, it thrilled me. A peak moment. Rocky Balboa in real life. And since I’ve had the privilege of working with nursing students, it has so much more meaning now. Not only do I see the vulnerability and passion in these wonderful people starting out in their nursing journey, but I am able to see in myself and recapture those peak moments. Students can be so effective working with their patients because they are trying SO HARD. It’s priceless to be reminded of the reasons we started something in the first place so that we can bring that same passion every day.

Horatio the Cat is all set to present Nursing Stories and Songs to the Canadian Nursing Students' Association Virtual Atlantic, Quebec & Ontario Regional Conference!

Hi everyone! As I am beginning my second contract as a Clinical Nursing Instructor at the University of Prince Edward Island, I was on the UPEI website and I see that this story is still posted. It was done in the spring of 2018 when I was speaking at the Family, Work and Mobility Symposium. It discusses my transition to nursing a few years ago, so I thought I would share. https://www.upei.ca/communicatio/spotlight/2018//home-stay

Thanks to one and all for the awesome response to the "Christmas Eve in Emergency" video! Over 30,000 views so far! Here is the interview I did with Matt Rainnie on CBC PEI Mainstreet last week. Thank you for the shares and the thoughts to all the nurses and health care workers about to begin the Christmas rotation. https://www.cbc.ca//1-130-mainstr/clip/15752309-kevin-ryan Stay tuned for lots of new music, news and blogs in the new year. 2020 is going to be a big one! ... Happy Holidays to all!

Hi folks. Thanks to the overwhelming response to the "Christmas Eve in Emergency" video and song, I will be visiting the one and only Matt Rainnie on CBC PEI's Mainstreet tomorrow (Wednesday, December 18) between 4 and 5 PM. For those who can't tune in, I will share a link when it becomes available. Thank you so much for all your wonderful support! It's been a great launch to the Nursing Stories and Songs page! https://www.facebook.com/CBCPEI/

STUDENTS! That would be my happy interjection when I would see the RN or LPN students filing awkwardly into the report room when I was working on an inpatient unit. I will always appreciate what students bring to a clinical setting - developing knowledge, vulnerability, eagerness, tired eyes, and yes, even fear. Because it reminds me of what it was like for me on the first day of a new clinical rotation. What have I gotten into this time, and how will I get through this? ...In hindsight, each day represented facing a huge personal challenge at the time, and one that we tend to forget as we gain experience and confidence as nurses. Students are at the top of my mind as I start another contract as a Clinical Nursing Instructor for inpatient mental health. Third-year BScN students finally get to remove themselves from Zoom meetings and classes to work with real, live people. In a fun reversal, on October 24th and 25th, I will be going virtual at the Canadian Nursing Student Association Regional Conference to do an online version of Nursing Stories and Songs. With in-person conferences being on hold indefinitely, I’m thrilled to be part of this gathering. The event theme is one of my favourites Caring for Ourselves and Others: Mental Health of the Practitioner and Patient. Thanks for having me, students! In other news, I have accepted a new position as a Mobile Crisis Response Nurse. I can’t wait to get on the road for this brand-new initiative coming to Prince Edward Island. Nursing always opportunities to learn and try new things, even in little old PEI. Once a student, always a student!

I wrote this song two years ago when I worked the Christmas shift at Kings County Memorial Hospital in Montague, PEI. I thought it was perfect timing to do a fun video and share it on my new page. Merry Christmas!

I love to hear origin stories that explain why people choose the nursing profession. Here is the truly inspiring story of new UPEI graduate Shayna Conway. https://www.theguardian.pe.ca//here-to-do-gods-work-nursi/