Tecla Linn & Nelia Laroza Memorial Award

My relationship with the nursing career started when I was at a very young age. Growing up in a small town of the Philippine islands, I saw my mom work at the local hospital and pour her heart out to the Sindanganons. My recollections of her in a white uniform with the nurse cap that she had to press the night before is stamped in mind. She is my biggest inspiration in choosing this field. As a young kid, I went to the hospital for my lunch breaks and would often mingle with the other nurses, doctors, and midwives. I also saw a lot of different emergent situations and have always admired the care that nurses provided to their patients. So, I finished my nursing degree in the Philippines back in 2010. Then a year later, my family migrated to Canada to fulfill the Filipino dream ten years ago. It wasn’t easy to get my RN license here in Canada, it has been a series of ups and downs. Finally deciding to apply at York University’s IEN program has been the best decision of my life. I have met a lot of new lifelong friends and mentors. Ultimately, I hope to set an example to all the struggling Internationally Educated Nurses. I am here to say, do not give up on your dreams and YES, WE CAN DO IT!