Mentoring the next generation: Mary Reed’s story

May 11, 2023

(LONDON, Ont.) – Mary Reed has spent nearly 40 years as a cardiac nurse at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). During this time, she has cared for countless patients and become an invaluable resource for the next generation of nurses entering the profession, sharing her knowledge and mentoring them to become confident, patient-centred healthcare professionals.

“I’ve worked in this wonderful profession for so many years and I’ve come to realize the knowledge and experience I’ve gained is a real gift that I can pass onto other nurses,” says Mary Reed, Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) at LHSC. “I work with new nurses just beginning their careers at LHSC and in the CCU, helping them translate their academic knowledge into hands-on bedside skills, such as Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretations, coronary care procedures, and medication administration.”

An image of Mary Reed mentoring a nurse — Image: Mary Reed has spent nearly 40 years as a cardiac nurse at LHSC, mentoring the next generation of nurses.

After beginning her career at Stratford General Hospital, she moved to London in 1983 to join the medicine team at South Street Hospital, formerly part of LHSC. One year later, in 1984, she applied for a position open in the CCU.

And the rest, they say, is history.

Four decades later, Reed is still providing the same kind and compassionate care to patients in the CCU and credits her own mentors for her success.

“I chose to stay in cardiology because I’m fascinated with the heart,” Reed says. “I had a wonderful educator and nurse-mentor who taught me everything about heart rhythms and how the heart works, which was fascinating. I love that even after all this time, I’m continuing to learn from my peers and patients every day.”

Nurse Mary Reed and Nurse Emily Taft sitting together at a desk in the nursing unit. — Image: Mary Reed works closely with new nurses, like Emily Taft, RN.

Reed also still works closely with new nurses who will one day become mentors of their own. Her gentle and caring approach, mixed with her wealth of knowledge and experience, is appreciated by them. From providing guidance on procedures to medication administration and situational critical thinking, many CCU nurses have shared stories about how fortunate they feel to be working alongside and learning from Reed.

And Reed feels fortunate to work with them, too.

“The energy and eagerness to learn is what I love most about working with our new nursing grads,” she says. “It’s been such a joy to be in this position that it makes me emotional sometimes.”