People of Perley - Ricky Marion
“I face a lot of challenges in my work at Perley Health, but I welcome all of them,” says Richard (Ricky) Marion. “I'm really happy here.”
A Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Ricky works in the Gatineau building on a unit that provides special care for people living with dementia.
“Caring for seniors and Veterans living with dementia has been an eye-opener for me. In my previous jobs, I cared mostly for people living with learning disabilities or cognitive disorders. Helping to meet the needs of these residents makes me feel really good.”
Ricky is originally from Windsor, Ontario, where he worked as a security guard at a residence for people living with persistent, serious mental health illness. His supervisor was impressed by the way that Ricky interacted with residents.
“That inspired me to go back to school and my career just took off from there. During one of my placements, I heard about Perley Health's specialized care for people living with dementia and applied for a job.”
While Ricky initially found it difficult to move to a new city and to work in a different --- colder -- environment, the support he received from colleagues made the transition much easier.
“At the start, they paired me with someone who's worked here for about 20 years. As a new nurse coming in, it has been a blessing working with her -- Fathia (Fathia Hagi-Abukar, RPN) -- has been my rock. And all my colleagues have made me feel comfortable both as a nurse and as a person. I honestly would love to work here for rest of my career.”
Ricky also appreciates getting to know members of residents' families.
“One day, the wife of a resident came up to me and gave me a box of chocolates. She said: ‘I got these for you because you are such a good nurse and you take such good care of my husband. I am so happy you're here.' That really impacted me, because at first, I didn't feel like I belonged here.”
The opportunities to learn and grow also appeal to Ricky.
“I like that Perley offers lots of professional-development opportunities. I just completed the Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) course, for instance. The in-house expertise here is also exceptional. There are nurses who've earned certifications in psychogeriatric care, palliative care, wound and ostomy care, and more. Thanks to them, I can deliver even better care. They're amazing people and they inspire me in my work every day.”
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"I will say my whole team has honestly impacted my life. They made me really comfortable as a nurse. They make me comfortable as a person.” - Richard “Ricky” Marion, Registered Practical Nurse