Portage la Prairies Pam Anderson was honoured with an Award of Excellence from the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Foundation (RPNF) on May 10.

Although she was born in Brandon, Anderson has called Portage home for the last 20-plus years, filling in for multiple roles as a registered psychiatric nurse for Southern Health-Santé Sud.

"It's really an honour," explains Anderson. "It really took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting it. It's certainly something that I've never received before. So, having peers recognize me and nominate me for this award was amazing. It felt so good to be rewarded for a job that I absolutely love."

Anderson has been a nurse for the last 32 years and was chosen for the award for standing out in the nursing profession, having delivered services in the Community Mental Health Program, emergency room psychiatric nursing, the addictions field, as well as working in private practice as a Crisis Clinician and operating her business "Go To Gal" in the City Of Possibilities.

File Photo.Pam Anderson posing with her 2023 RPNF Award of Excellence in Clinical Practice.

She credits following her brother's footsteps as a psychiatric nurse for leading her to a career she truly loves.

"I really want to promote the education and the job of psychiatric nursing; it's a hugely rewarding career. There are a ton of employment opportunities. It just allows for such a variety of work. I would just encourage people to try and check it out. It just might be a career that lasts for 30 years."

Anderson notes that she must still figure out where to display the award. However, she plans on putting it someplace where it can be seen daily as a reminder to keep doing her job to the best of her abilities.