Healthcare Spotlight: Joy Hundal, Registered Nurse – NICU
JOY HUNDAL
Just four years into her role as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Joy Hundal has already become part of countless life-changing moments for families across our region.
Working in the NICU means no two days are ever the same. Joy and her team care for babies born at 32 weeks and above who require intensive support after birth. Their work includes managing respiratory supports, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting feeding
Beyond the clinical care, one of the most meaningful parts of Joy’s role is helping navigate families through the very first moments with their newborns, often some of the most emotional and overwhelming moments of their lives.
“Each time I get to see parents first meet their child I know that I am truly making an impact. There is nothing like that look.”
Patient safety and compassionate care are always at the forefront in the NICU. Joy explains that her team is constantly thinking about how to best support both babies and their families through a developmentally supportive approach to care.
Thanks to donor support through the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, the NICU has recently received new Giraffe Omnibed Legacy incubators and Philips Intelli Vue MX550 Patient Monitors, helping staff provide safer and more advanced care for vulnerable newborns.
For Joy, these upgrades make a direct difference every single shift.
“Having access to new equipment allows the NICU to better serve our vulnerable population. Any and all advancements in technology can help us decrease negative impacts on our babies.”
She explains that the new incubators allow staff to perform procedures like IV insertions, X-rays, ultrasounds, and even emergency intubations right at the bedside, reducing unnecessary movement for fragile infants. Meanwhile, the new monitoring systems help ensure babies remain safely connected and monitored, even when travelling off-unit for procedures or visits with family members in other areas of the hospital.
One thing many people may not realize about the NICU team is just how much they do behind the scenes. The unit is staffed entirely by Registered Nurses, meaning the team handles everything from mixing medications and preparing milk to answering phones, drawing blood, and responding during neonatal resuscitations. Joy jokes that they are also “birthday party specialists.”
“It’s In My Nature because I care for the smallest but mightiest patients.” Joy says.
Outside of the NICU, Joy stays busy advocating for healthcare workers through the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee as a BCNU representative and teaching Acute Care of the At-Risk Newborn at smaller birthing centres.
And if you ever visit the unit, chances are you’ll spot the team in their signature “Perinatal Purple” scrubs, fueled by coffee, teamwork, and perhaps a scone or two.
