CARLYLE - National Nursing Week is celebrated from May 9-15, and includes May 12, the day of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
This founder of modern nursing was known as the Lady of the Lamp. It is fitting that long-time Moose Mountain Lodge employee Candy Bye is being recognized for her 29 years of exemplary service.
Candy, 49, was born and raised near Wawota and is married to Duane, a battery operator with Saturn Oil and Gas. They live in Manor and have twin 21-year-old boys, Nathan and Kyle. Both are completing their third year of University in Regina. Nathan is studying kinesiology, while Kyle is in business administration.
Candy Bye did her schooling at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology and started working on weekends and holidays for Moose Mountain Lodge while in training. When she graduated as a registered nurse, there were no full-time positions available, so she worked at four different locations: the lodge, Arcola Health Centre, home care and the Redvers Centennial Haven.
She worked every shift starting out even if it was only four hours long, as most times they were extended into eight or 12 hours.
Bye is the resident care co-ordinator of Moose Mountain Lodge, and it is obvious to all that she loves her job, her co-workers and above all else, her residents.
“My goal every day at work is to make my resident’s day a little bit brighter. I often work long days because I cannot leave a job undone and cannot say no to a resident. If I can help them, I will,” she said.
“All of my residents at Moose Mountain Lodge become a part of our family and they all have a special place in my heart. At the lodge we care not only for the residents but for the families as well. We know the families are valuable members of the team and we try to be transparent with them, keep them informed, and communicate often.”
Several resident families and co-workers were more than happy to praise Bye and her work.
Said Sherry Klatt, “I met Candy four years ago. Our mom, Dorothy Brady, returned home to Carlyle becoming a resident. How fortunate we are to have a nurse such as Candy as part of the nursing home medical team. She is kind, supportive, a great listener and problem solver dedicated to her clients and colleagues. Candy was a great advocate throughout the difficult decisions of the pandemic. She genuinely cares. She has a great sense of humour in so many ways. The time, effort, and patience extended to the residents and their families is so appreciated. We feel so blessed. Candy has a special place in our hearts.”
Co-worker Bertha Isleifson provided some insights. “Candy and I have worked together for as long as she’s been nursing. We learn from each other every day. Her kindness and gentle way with the residents have always been the best. All the residents love her. She has developed great relationships with all the doctors that come and go. I enjoy every shift I work with her.”
Said John Pott: “My observations of three and a half years found Candy treating all residents equally, professionally and with such loving kindness. Always having patience. She is a very gentle soul.”
Danielle Benjamin is the health services manager of Moose Mountain Lodge.
“Candy is an extremely smart, hardworking, dedicated and committed nurse who provides the very best care to the residents each day. She is kind, gentle, patient and goes the extra mile ensuring they are cared for and comfortable. She has excellent rapport with the families, and they know they can always count on her and trust her. You won’t find a better nurse to care for your loved one. I have learned so much from her and have been honoured to work alongside her for more than seven years.”
Bye concluded by saying, “I’ve seen some things go full circle in health care just like in everything. The biggest challenge of my career would definitely be the pandemic of the past two years. There were lots of hoops to step through and just when you thought you were getting through them, there would be more. You had to learn to roll with it, the support of a good manager (Danielle) really helped me get through these past two years.”
“I have cared for multiple generations of families, looked after their parents, and then looked after them. Or looked after one spouse and then the other. I love my job and find it very rewarding. I am happy to be a small but very important part of their journey.”
In her spare time, Candy loves gardening, baking, fishing, paddle boarding and reading. She also enjoys volunteer work and is a member of the Carlyle & District Lions Club.
