Brette Cain’s Story

Brette Cain began her nursing career as a Registered Practical Nurse in Northwestern Ontario. Early on, she recognized the critical need for specialized foot care, particularly among the aging population. In response, she pursued additional training and earned her Certificate of Completion for the Foot Care Nurse Program in July 2016. This certification enabled her to specialize in Basic, Advanced, and Diabetic Foot Care, marking the beginning of her dedicated journey as a foot care provider.

Beyond her clinical practice, Brette has embraced a role in education, shaping the future of foot care nursing in Northwestern Ontario. As a certified educator, she trains aspiring foot care nurses through Confederation College and Next Step Foot Care. Her commitment to accessibility has also led her to travel to northern fly-in communities north of Timmins, ensuring that individuals in remote areas receive essential foot care services.

Brette’s passion for education extends to curriculum development, where she has played a key role in designing an online foot health course through Foot Canada Training. She remains committed to advancing foot care education and making a meaningful impact in the field, ensuring that both patients and future practitioners receive the knowledge and care they deserve.

Nursing the Future – Our Voices: Brette Cain’s Story

From the beginning of my nursing career, I knew that I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. My journey started as a Personal Support Worker, where I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of holistic patient care. This passion led me to pursue a Practical Nursing diploma at Confederation College, where I graduated with honors in 2015.

While working with older adults, I recognized a critical gap in foot care services, particularly for seniors and individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and circulatory disorders. That motivation led me to establish Next Step Foot Care, an independent practice dedicated to providing high-quality foot care services in Atikokan and surrounding remote communities.

With the increasing demand for nursing foot care, I made the risky but rewarding decision to fully dedicate my career to Foot Care Nursing. Balancing these responsibilities as a single mother of two young children required determination, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. In addition to serving my local community, I travel twice a month to remote, fly-in-only Indigenous communities to ensure that individuals in underserved areas have access to essential foot care services.

The Challenges and Realities of Northern Foot Care

Traveling to Northern First Nations communities has been a humbling yet heartbreaking experience. The prevalence of diabetes, even in childhood, is alarmingly high, contributing to a devastating rate of amputations. The cost of food is exorbitant, and fresh produce is scarce—making processed foods a more affordable, yet harmful, option. Walking through these communities, it is impossible to ignore the harsh living conditions. Homes are overcrowded, often with 10+ people in a single-family dwelling. Many houses are falling apart, with plywood covering broken windows. It feels like I have stepped into a third-world country—without ever leaving Canada.

Beyond physical hardships, healthcare in these communities faces deep-rooted challenges. There is a profound distrust of outsiders, and with good reason given Canada's history toward Indigenous people. When I first started traveling to these communities, almost no one showed up for their foot care appointments. It took me three years of consistent effort, relationship-building, and trust to change that reality. Now, I have the highest rate of attendance in my program, a waitlist of patients, and people know as soon as I step off the plane.

Despite these small victories, the need for foot care in the North is far greater than what one person can provide. I see cases that would haunt your nightmares—diabetic wounds, severe infections, and untreated conditions that could have been prevented with proper care. I am doing everything I can to help reduce amputation rates, but it takes an entire medical team to truly make a lasting impact.

Moments That Matter

Amid the challenges, my favorite part of these trips is building trust through therapeutic communication. I love when people feel safe enough to share their stories with me. There is one patient I will never forget—a woman who could barely walk due to the pain in her feet. When I examined her, I found thick, hardened callouses covering both feet. I spent an hour carefully scalping them down. When she stood up, she burst into tears and hugged me, telling me it was the first time in years she could walk without pain. That moment reminded me why I do this work.

Advancing Foot Care Nursing

Beyond my clinical work, I am committed to advancing foot care nursing through education and mentorship. I am proud to be an instructor at Confederation College, where I train the next generation of foot care nurses. I have also contributed to the profession by authoring a chapter in the Foot Care Canada curriculum. My advocacy extends to professional organizations as a member of the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses, where I stay engaged in best practices and emerging developments in foot health.

Throughout this journey, I have been honored to receive multiple awards recognizing my contributions to foot care and entrepreneurship. These acknowledgments reinforce my belief that foot care is not just about treating ailments—it’s about enhancing overall health, mobility, and quality of life.

Looking Ahead

My story is one of passion, perseverance, and dedication to community well-being. As I continue to grow my practice and support other nurses in the field, my mission remains the same: to ensure that everyone, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to quality foot care.