Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplasia Association of Canada Scholarship

I always knew growing up that I wanted to help people. This stemmed from living in a house hold with a chronically ill father. Shortly after he passed away, I started training to be a medical responder to other people through very challenging and complex situations. I was accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program from the University of Alberta in 2010. I originally thought that I wanted to dedicate my life to emergency and critical care nursing but in 2014, one 12-hour shift completely changed my life. During this shift, I cared for the most wonderful palliative oncology patient and his family in the emergency department. I am unable to describe how powerful and incredible this day was. I knew after leaving that 12-hour shift that I was meant to be an oncology nurse. Since 2015, I have been employed in multiple roles at the Central Alberta Cancer Center, most recently as a Cancer Patient Navigator. One of my favorite things about cancer care, is that it is constantly changing. The workload is heavy, but the attitude in the cancer world is uplifting and welcoming. Being able to communicate with my patients and develop relationships with them and their families and truly practice patient-centred care, is a gift.

Since September 2018, I have been attending the Masters of Nursing in Leadership Program at the University of Alberta. I enjoy furthering my education, and want to develop skills in evidence-based research to promote quality improvement and health outcomes in cancer care. This program is a stepping stone for achieving my professional goals, enhancing my professional knowledge, leadership, and communication skills. I am very thankful to be a recipient of the AAMAC Award and to be called a, ‘CNF Scholar’. The support that I have received to complete my master’s program, has been overwhelming and I am forever grateful.