International Women's Day Campaign Feature: Sara Guy, Flight Nurse
Meet Sara Guy, a dedicated, genuine, and enthusiastic registered flight nurse serving the Canadian Arctic.
From a young age, Sara knew she wanted to be a healthcare professional, and today, she not only provides life-saving front-line care but also holds a leadership role, collaborating with the Government of Nunavut to uphold safety and medical standards.
She has held newborns and comforted their mothers mid-flight, providing reassurance and strength in the most vulnerable moments. She has held the hands of patients in their final moments, offering dignity and compassion in end-of-life care.
She has witnessed the beauty of Canada’s Indigenous cultures, wildlife, and landscapes, making every day an adventure she embraces with an open heart and open arms.
We're honoured to share Sara's story ahead of IWD 2025.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced throughout your career, and how did you overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was having to balance work, curling and a personal life. Especially with my current rotation of 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off, it can be really challenging to manage curling competitively and my current career. Sometimes it feels like I have no time to recover after working 2 mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting weeks and then coming home and having to change into an athlete’s mindset. But it’s also been incredibly rewarding which is what makes it all worth it. I find that while on rotation, finding time to workout, or watching curling and finding moments where I can get some downtime is not only great for my physical health but also my mental and helps me be able to go to work everyday and be excited for the day ahead of me and what it will come. It’s also shown me that hard work and dedication really does pay off, while I’m still only a few years into my career knowing that I’ve accomplished in my personal life through hard work and determination just makes me excited to know what I will be able to accomplish in my career.
Can you share a defining moment in your career that solidified your passion for your position?
My favourite moment of my career so far was when we had a kid who was about 4-5 years old who had an eye injury after a school yard fight. It was right around Christmas time a few years ago and he was obviously nervous as it was his first time leaving his home community and on a plane. His mom was with us on the flight south, and he was nervous and not very chatty with me or my partner on the flight but we had downloaded a couple movies for him and got him laughing and a bit more social with us. When we landed in the south it ended up that there was a Christmas parade going on, and there were lights and music and loaders and fire trucks, and the patient was THRILLED, his jaw literally dropped and he was staring out the ambulance window the whole way to the hospital because he was so excited about all the lights. When we got to the hospital it was the first time that he had seen a tree in person, as Nunavut is above the tree line, and he was in awe. It just really reminded me that while these are really stressful times for our patients, and for a lot of them the first time they are leaving home, there can still be amazing moments if you just keep a positive attitude and learn from every experience. While obviously an eye injury is stressful, by having just taken a moment to let this young kid experience something incredible like a Christmas parade it let him be a bit more relaxed and allowed for his mom and I to have a moment to remember the magic of being a kid. While there are some calls that don’t allow for us to take a moment and “soak in the magic” this was one that ended up being so enjoyable and cool, that it just solidified my love for my work and the love I have for the north.
What qualities do you believe make women particularly strong leaders in high-pressure fields like yours?
I feel like women are particularly strong leaders in high pressure fields as we are incredible problem solvers, approachable, and great at task management. I feel like women can have a million projects on the go, whether its for their career, personal life, an event they’re hosting, no matter what it is, we’re able to manage all the moving pieces to ensure it will be a success and effectively time manage ourselves and others to meet deadlines, project goals, and successes. I also think that women are incredibly approachable and active listeners that allow for people to feel comfortable to talk to them and be able to work through their issues to find a solution. I think that as a woman, there are so many different hats we wear, not only in our career but also in our personal lives that allow us to be great leaders and role models for future generations.
If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self at the start of your career, what would you say?
I would tell my younger self you are going to experience Canada to its fullest extent. You will become independent and strong and have a zest for adventure. You will make memories with old friends, new friends, and by yourself. But you will truly believe that “nursing is your ticket to the world” and you will have an incredible time growing in your career and as a young woman.