Andre Goyet, a nursing assistant, assist the anaesthetist for the installation of a rachianesthesy. He comforts and protects the old lady by explaining her the course of the procedure.

With a lack of doctors and nurses, province of Quebec health centers go through very difficult times. Both of these health professionals has less and less time with their patients. But the daily chores of helping, comforting and watching over fragile and sick person go to a unknown group of workers. Nursing assistant are there, caring in the shadow.

For two month, I followed them in all sort of situations, having full access to their work. Here’s an excerpt from that feature.

Text and Photos Marc-André Pauzé

Sylvie Lepine gives a bed bath to a patient. The nursing assistant constantly work in people's intimacy while preserving dignity. Any human being wishes to delay the moment a stranger will carry out his personal care.

Sylvie Lepine, nursing assistant in ER, takes part in a reanimation by making the cardiac massage.

With patience and generosity Ginette Provost is responsible for the feeding of certain non-autonomous patients.

Small action of the daily life done in intensive care by Pierre Fillion, allows Mr. Christian Charette to regain his dignity while being in a state of great vulnerability,

After a surgical operation, the Nursing Assistant in the operating room, Andre Goyet, mobilizes, with the help of operating team, a young child, to transfer him in recovery room.

A nursing assistant in psychiatry carry out round every15 minutes, for newly arrived patients that are vulnerable and at risk (suicide, drugs, mutilation), by taking notes of several relevant parameters.

A nursing assistant is responsible of hydrating a non-autonomous lady.

Jacques Rondeau, nursing assistant in psychiatry, accommodate the confidences and the distress of a patient. The event occurs in a quiet part of the department to preserve intimacy.

To enter the intimacy of a person living the obligation of dependence required delicacy and respect.

Gyslaine Mercier, nursing assistant in pediatric clinic, records the child weight and size in the health record while comforting the baby.

Link: Full feature documentary