Virginia A. Lindabury Award

I chose a career in health care because of my passion for science, connecting with and caring for people. I look back on my childhood and my upbringing and find common themes that led me into nursing. Experiences like spending time with my grandmother who had dementia, living abroad in Germany, participating in a Rotary Youth Exchange in Taiwan or volunteering in my hospital’s emergency department laid a foundation for a career in health care. These experiences highlighted to me the universal need for health care. In my final year of high school, I was accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

I am now entering my fourth and final year. I so appreciate caring for my patients and working as a member of the healthcare team. Throughout my degree, I have had many opportunities which enhance my nursing practice. This past year I worked as a nurse immunizer administering COVID-19 vaccines which instilled in me an interest in public health. This public health interest also led me to be involved in public health research such as with youth and young adult tobacco and vapour product use. I serve as a student representative on the university’s senate, work as a nursing teaching assistant and am involved in our Nursing Course union. Currently, I am gaining more clinical experience while working as an Employed Student nurse in the Eye Care Center at the hospital.