Dorothy Kergin Fellowship Award

Hi! My name is Kalina and I’m a Registered Nurse in British Columbia. Since I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of becoming a nurse. When I was eight years old, I was admitted to the hospital for a couple nights and I remember how caring the nurses were. I was so fascinated by their work that I asked if I could take my IV bandage home with me. After it was removed and cleaned, the nurse reluctantly agreed to let me keep the tubing, and I still have it saved in my “box of dreams” back home. I became a nurse in 2014 and have spent the last few years of my career working in Emergency Departments across both BC and Ontario, in smaller community hospitals and in major trauma centres. Recently I ventured into Primary Care and have loved the connections I get to make with my patients. I am currently pursuing the Nurse Practitioner program at the University of British Columbia and plan to graduate next year. The Scholarship from the Canadian Nurses Foundation will allow me the financial support I need to reach this next step in my career, so that I can become an NP and walk closer with my patient’s on their health and healing journey. Nursing has been an incredible career. I have learned so much about humanity, I have cared for patients in their most fragile moments, and I have deepened my understanding of healing and health.  I consider myself fortunate to be able to serve my community, and grow as a nurse in each encounter. Thank you to the supporters of the CNF for choosing me for this scholarship. I am so grateful to you all.