TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund Award – Baccalaureate

I would like to thank the CNF for selecting me to receive the TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund award. My road to obtaining Bachelor of Science in Nursing has been an adventure. After a career in Sales & Marketing I decided to return to school and pursue my true passion, nursing. Initially, I graduated with a certificate as a Practical Nurse (PN) but soon realized that in order to truly be an advocate and effect change, I would need to expand my skills and abilities by becoming a Registered Nurse. Since becoming an Licensed PN I have volunteered as a coach and preceptor to new graduates and student nurses. I look forward to continuing and expanding upon that role in the future as I consider pursuing a Masters in Nursing.

In addition to my studies I have volunteered as Student Nursing Practice Representative and work with the Aboriginal Leadership Circle (a human rights and equity caucus of the BC Nurses Union). I hope to focus my career on working with marginalized populations, more specifically on working with Aboriginal populations to improve access to healthcare services that meet the needs of Aboriginal people in a holistic manner. I am grateful that this award will allow me to more fully concentrate on my studies and participate in a service-learning experience in a developing country.