CNSA Indigenous Award
CNSA Indigenous Award. My name is Brianna Patrie-Gauthier, and I am a Métis, 2nd year
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) student at Grant MacEwan University. I am currently
a LPN in the Emergency Department at Strathcona and Fort Saskatchewan! I’ve been a LPN
for 2.5 years now. I do not come from privilege, I am the first in my family to finish high
school, now a second year student at a competitive program. I moved out when I was 17
years old, and have faced many challenges over the years to follow, including a car accident
where I was hit head-on by 2 vehicles on highway 28, left with life-threatening injuries.
I call this my pivotal event. I can still remember it photographically to this very day, 1
person died on impact, the other driver walked away with scratches. I broke 9 bones,
including a pelvic fracture and a femoral fracture causing internal bleeding. I was airlifted by
STARS from a rural hospital. After I was wheelchair-bound for 6 months and had to learn
how to walk all over again, I did 2 years of physiotherapy and decided to apply to nursing
school. I wanted to help people on the worst days of their lives inspired by the nurses who
helped me that day.
I can’t put into words how the nurses truly touched my soul and inspired me that day, Shae
who was one of the rural nurses that helped me get stabilised at a small hospital for
transport through STARS. I remember her talking me through everything. She made me feel
safe, like I was going to be okay and get the chance to see my mom again. I was so scared
and she was there for me. She seemed so calm, confident and reassured me. She made me
consider a career specifically in rural nursing. The STARS nurses were both exceptional,
and even let me call my mom and talk to her, I cried.
While in recovery I got into the LPN program at NorQuest College and excelled at my
program becoming an honours student! I have since graduated and started working in the
Emergency Department. I love what I do, I love that I get to help people every day! I am so
grateful for this opportunity. This CNF scholarship will help me further my education to
become a RN. I want to become a Trauma Nurse and work for STARS one day and help
people who have stories just like me.
