Some people choose to take care of people for a living. Others choose to take care of animals. Carolyn Robbins has decided to do both. And as a rancher and Registered Nurse, she loves every minute of it.
“We all get the same 24 hours in a day. And we all choose how we use it. I choose to be busy,” says Robbins, who is a Registered Nurse at the Pincher Creek Health Centre and runs a ranch outside of town.
A way of life
Born into a ranching family, Robbins has been running a tractor since she was 14 years old.
“Ranching is a way of life for me. It’s something that I’m incredibly passionate about,” she explains. “When I was making the decision to choose a career path, I knew that I wanted to do something that would allow me to continue to be involved in the ranch. So I chose nursing.”
For her there is a natural connection between the careers. Both require a driven attitude, tremendous organization, and a great deal of compassion.
“There is great satisfaction in bringing life into the world and in a job well done,” explains Robbins. She will help calve about 120 head this year, taking all her vacation days to do so. “I feel the exact same way about nursing. I take a great sense of pride in a job well done, in patients that feel well cared for, and in bringing in new life.”
Benefits of being local
Working as a rural nurse in her home town has its benefits.
“When you work in a small town, we are taking care of our friends, our family, our neighbours. It’s close-knit,” says Robbins. “The attitude of taking care of each other really goes forward into the workplace. It really makes it wonderful to know that you’re working with your friends. You’re working for something better, because we’re working for our community.”
The fact that she is part of such a close-knit community, makes her want to give the extra effort.
“I always hope that people will be happy to see me and pleased that I am the nurse who is going to be taking care of them.”
- Article & Video by Lucas Warren