As a nurse with over 34 years experience, Rhonda Nichol has seen first-hand the struggles that our health care system faces. She's also seen the potential for what our health care system could be – a system that puts prevention first, treats nurses and other health care workers with respect, and provides Manitobans with the care that they need when they need it.
That's why Rhonda is running to become the next MLA in Kirkfield Park with the Manitoba Liberal Party. She knows that we need to invest in our health care system, to make it strong and sustainable for the long term. Rhonda will ensure that proper plans are made to guarantee we never end up with a lack of healthcare resources, ever again. She is committed to using her experience as a nurse and educator to help improve the lives of people in Kirkfield Park and Manitoba. Education and learning is a life-long endeavour for Rhonda and she is currently taking Leadership and Management at the University of Toronto.
In her career which has spanned a variety of settings, from the Emergency Room to Oncology to General Surgery to performing PICC insertions, Rhonda has always been an advocate for her patients and improving care. As a Clinical Education Facilitator, she had the opportunity to share her passion for nursing with third-year students. As a Clinical Trials and Research nurse at Cancer Care MB, she constantly worked hard to provide exemplary care for both adults and children. She knows how important research is here right in our province in order to improve the lives of those living with cancer and other conditions.
Rhonda is a mother and a grandmother, and knows how important it is to have access to a health care system that works for all Manitobans. Rhonda is committed to improving health care in Manitoba by investing in prevention, primary care, removing the surgical procedure wait list, removing mandatory overtime for nurses, making prescription drugs more affordable, and improving access to mental health services. As a seniors advocate she has found a real passion for helping others to ensure they have safe, dignified care as they age. Accessibility is also near to her heart and she will continue to advocate for this.
Rhonda grew up in rural Manitoba in a bedroom community to Winnipeg. She also spent time living in other rural communities, in Winnipeg in both Kirkfield Park and River Heights. Her career path started as a Health Care Aide in Stonewall Manitoba, which then led to nursing school at the Salvation Army Grace General Hospital in Winnipeg. She has a strong work ethic which is evident in her being a volunteer member of a Parent Advisory Council, WRHA logistics committee, local hall board committee, has spent countless hours volunteering in both schools and community clubs, organizing fundraisers and tournaments, and also, due to her love of animals, as a volunteer at an animal rescue facility. Rhonda has operated a small greenhouse business in the past with a good friend and also a fundraising golf tournament for the Children’s Wish Foundation. She is also proud to have been a sponsor through the Christian Children’s Fund for two little girls.
Rhonda and her husband, an aircraft maintenance engineer, have a blended family of four adult sons. They also have three grandchildren with whom they love spending time. As part of a large extended family, music and family are very important to her along with her Metis heritage. In her spare time, Rhonda enjoys the outdoors, skiing, skating, fishing, reading, and watching her favourite hockey team, the Winnipeg Jets.
She looks forward to sharing her passion and knowledge of healthcare, will continue to advocate for others, and is fully committed to serving the people of both Kirkfield Park and all of Manitoba.