CIBC Nursing Bursary

My name is Yeshaia Hager, and I am entering my 4th year of nursing at the
University of Ottawa. Born and raised in Lloydminster, a small city straddling the
Alberta-Saskatchewan border, I was shaped by the resilience of growing up in a
single-parent household as a first-generation Canadian. Through my life experiences,
I’ve developed a strong calling to advocacy and leadership. I chose nursing because
it is a profession grounded in compassion and the belief that every person deserves
to be seen, heard, and cared for with dignity and respect. It allows me to stand
beside those who are often overlooked and to support individuals and families as
they navigate some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Working in the pediatric ICU, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of combining
clinical skill and compassion to support children and their families during
unimaginable circumstances. Looking ahead, my goal is to continue learning and to
contribute meaningfully to improving access to healthcare in underserved
communities.

I am proud to be pursuing not only my dream of working in healthcare, but
also the deeply meaningful achievement of becoming the first in my family to earn a
university degree. Thank you to the Canadian Nurses Foundation and its donors for
your generous support—I am honoured to be a recipient.