Meet our Students
Jade - Fergus, ON
Inspired by her integrative practicum, Jade is happy to make a difference in the lives of newborns and their families as a NICU nurse, where her skills help them overcome health challenges.
Why did you pursue a degree in Nursing?
I was inspired to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) after discovering I had a strong passion for science, as well as a motivation to be of service to others. I was encouraged by the prospect of the diverse career opportunities that a BScN provides for nurses in today’s health care system, where BScN-prepared nurses are fulfilling roles as clinicians, educators, scholars, leaders, and advanced practitioners.
As an individual who places great value on lifelong learning, I also appreciated the underlying element of continuous learning embedded within nursing in response to our continually evolving health care system, technology, and population health needs.
Naturally, becoming a registered nurse seemed like the perfect way to combine these interests, and find a meaningful career in which I could make a tangible difference in the lives of others during times of vulnerability and uncertainty.
Why did you decide to study at Western?
I chose to attend the Western's BScN program after attending an information session on Fall Preview Day. Listening to students share their experiences in the program and speak so highly of their simulation lab education, theory courses, and clinical placements reassured me that Western’s BScN program would equip me to work in any area of our health care system. I was also excited by the leadership opportunities that I learned about that were available to students through the Western-Fanshawe Nursing Students’ Association.The faculty members that I met that day appeared so supportive and genuinely invested in seeing their students succeed, which was very appealing. I was also drawn to the program’s focus on health equity, advocacy, empowerment, and strengths based nursing care, which aligned with values I aspired to enact in my own nursing practice.
What is your most memorable experience in the program?
My most memorable experience in the BScN program was completing my 456-hour integrative practicum in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I still remember the excitement I felt when I was notified that my application was successful. Within the NICU, I was supported by a nurse preceptor and had the opportunity to care for premature and critically ill neonates. I was able to gain new clinical skills, refine my critical thinking, and advocate for infants and their families.
The resilience of my tiny patients and their families never ceased to amaze me, and I enjoyed the variety of clinical conditions I encountered and skills that I had the chance to use.
Were it not for this learning experience, I would not find myself where I am today - working as a registered nurse in the same unit where I completed my Integrative Practicum. I will forever be grateful to this experience for providing me with a career in which I wake up excited every day (or night) to go to work and leave knowing that I have played a part in helping a newborn grow and overcome their health challenges so that they can eventually go home with their family.
How will your work change the world?
Using the clinical and interpersonal skills I gained from theory courses and clinical placements throughout the BScN program, I hope to continue to be able to make a difference in the lives of neonates and their families as a NICU nurse by helping neonates to heal, meet developmental milestones, and be discharged home. The NICU can be an overwhelming environment for families, and it creates a different version of parenthood than families expect. Specifically, with the BScN program’s focus on empowerment, advocacy, and strengths based nursing care, I hope to be able to empower families to learn about their neonate’s health status and participate in their neonate’s care.
A career in nursing opens endless doors. In the future, I am excited about the possibility of exploring other roles, such as a clinical nurse educator or nurse practitioner, or pursuing volunteer opportunities with organizations such as Mercy Ships. While I am not entirely certain where my career will take me, I am confident that my time at Western has prepared me to step into any of these roles.
Jack - Richmond Hill, ON
Jack's drive to make a difference in the world led him to the Western-Fanshawe BScN program, where he weaves science with compassion in order to help others achieve their best health.
Why did you pursue a degree in Nursing?
During high school, I struggled to find a career path that resonated with me; however, I always aspired for a career where I could ‘make a difference’. Eventually, I was drawn to the opportunities to change lives and give back to the community offered by careers in healthcare.
As I explored nursing, I realized that in many ways, its professional values aligned with my own. Compassion, altruism, and social justice, to name a few, drive the multifaceted work that nurses do. My mom is a nurse. Listening to her stories about the connections, learning, and impact that nursing has had on her and her patients helped solidify my choice.
My decision to pursue Nursing was a culmination of my passion for helping others, my dedication to learning and growth, and a deep-seated desire to drive positive change.
Why did you decide to study at Western?
A significant factor in my decision to study at Western was its excellent track record of producing successful nurses, evident in its high NCLEX exam pass rates and graduate hire rates. This demonstrated to me the quality of education and the dedication of the faculty in producing successful nurses. As well, the modern learning facilities, including advanced simulation suites and robotic mannequins, promised immersive practical education indispensable to nursing education.
Apart from academics, Western bolsters a vibrant student community, many of whom are connected through the countless extracurricular opportunities available on-campus. I was impressed by the array of ways I could pursue my interests, allow self-discovery and growth, and build meaningful connections outside of academics. Overall, I felt that Western would provide me the most well-rounded university experience in both academics and student experience.
What is your most memorable experience in the program?
One of the most pivotal experiences I have had in the Nursing program is learning about the social determinants of health (SDOH). Prior to entering the program, I perceived health as a direct result of individual choices. Now, I realize I overlooked the expanse of interconnected factors that profoundly influence one’s health, many of which are beyond an individual’s control.
SDOH include broader societal factors such as race, gender, and culture, and its impact on health uniquely positions nurses with an ability to be involved in social justice and equity issues. In understanding this, I have eagerly sought out opportunities to practice advocacy, such as participating in student government. SDOH emphasizes the necessity of understanding a patient’s life circumstances and how the factors intertwine with their health.
In clinical practice, it has helped me develop a more holistic approach to patient care. I find myself thinking about how a patient’s life-situation contributed to their physical ailments and the ways that I could integrate this knowledge of intersectionality into their care. Through the process of integrating my understanding of SDOH in practice, I have also become more compassionate, open-minded, and empathetic in and out of work.
How will your work change the world?
Nursing is a science and an art. As a science, studying nursing has helped me build a strong foundation of knowledge about anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and biology. I have learned to think critically, interpret and analyze data, and employ scientific approaches to assessment, treatment, and care-planning. Conversely, the art of nursing has helped hone my understanding of how to embody empathy and compassion in practice. I have learned how to build human connections and its importance in meaningful care and healing. Most importantly, nursing has helped refine my reflexivity, which has been critical to my growth as a professional and as a person.
In the near future, I plan to pursue postgraduate education to become a nurse practitioner or doctor. I envision myself helping people navigate the healthcare system and achieve their best health, however they define it.
At some point, I would like to get involved with global health initiatives, where I can help people in lower-income countries or disadvantaged communities. Further down the line, I would love to become an educator to help other aspiring healthcare professionals grow and continue with advocacy work by engaging in health policy work.
