CNSA Mental Health Award

Hi! My name is Emily, and I will be entering my fourth year of the BScN program at the University of Lethbridge. The summer before I started grade 10, I ended up getting quite sick and spent the next few years in and out of the hospital. While my experiences throughout this period were difficult, I am grateful for them as without them I probably wouldn’t be on this same path today. 

While in the hospital, my nurses were more than just the people who gave me my medication or drained my catheters. They were the people who took time out of their days to care for me. They showed up for me, and my family, on our worst days and celebrated alongside us on our good ones. My nurses showed me nursing is so much more than just medicine. It’s about helping others and showing up for them in whatever way you can. While I am grateful for every member of my healthcare team, my nurses were what made the difference. They got me through some of my toughest days, and they inspired me to give back to others the way they gave back to me. They are my ‘why’, and they are exactly who I hope to become in my professional career.