Ever wonder what it’s like to build a successful, rewarding career without leaving the Yukon? Meet Jill Wnek — a born-and-raised Yukoner who turned her passion for health care into a leadership role that supports communities across the territory. Jill grew up in Watson Lake and Whitehorse. Her education and career have been rooted right here, starting with her training as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Yukon College (now Yukon University). From those early days as a new grad, Jill’s career has been a shining example of how local training can open doors to exciting, meaningful work. Today, Jill is the acting director of Yukon’s Home Care branch, leading a team of over 100 employees. We sat down with her to hear about her career path, the power of local training, and her advice for anyone considering joining Yukon’s health care workforce.
Jill, you trained here in the Yukon! Can you tell us about that?
I grew up in the Yukon — we moved to Watson Lake when I was 9, and later to Whitehorse when my dad joined Yukon Housing Corporation. We’ve been here ever since. I studied to become an LPN at Yukon College (now Yukon University) in Whitehorse. As soon as I graduated, I was hired right out of school as a new grad, which was a fantastic start to my career.
Why did you decide to go into health care?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in health care. That said, before becoming an LPN, my resume was pretty eclectic — I worked in a variety of jobs because I love change and learning new things. When the time was right, I finally stepped into health care, and I’ve never looked back. It’s provided me with years of steady, meaningful work, and it absolutely satisfies my love of variety and lifelong learning.
How has your career progressed over the years?
I’ve had so many opportunities for advancement. I started with Continuing Care as an LPN in 2012, fresh out of Yukon College. Since then, I’ve held a variety of roles within Continuing Care, including Occupational Health and Safety Leader — which required some extra education — Resident Care Manager, and even Home Care Nurse up in Dawson City. Today, my substantive role is as a senior manager, but I’m currently in an acting role as director for the Home Care branch. I’ve been really fortunate to explore different positions and grow into leadership roles over the years.
What advice would you give to someone considering a health care career in the Yukon?
There’s so much opportunity here. The care provided across Health and Social Services is incredible. Our staffing ratios in the Yukon are excellent, and the residents in continuing care, as well as home care clients, often share amazing stories about how much the staff help improve their daily lives. Working in health care in the Yukon really is a career where you can make a huge difference — and in a small community, you often get to see that difference firsthand. So if you’re thinking about it, just do it — we’d love to have you join us!