CeraVe Skincare Scholarships for Diversity and Equity
I’m Rebecca. I decided to become a nurse at 17. As a highly sensitive person, I was always attracted to professions with human values focused on dignity and compassion. Deep down inside, I feel an urge to help others and give back. With my strong sense of empathy, I constantly seek to find answers on the changes that can be made to promote optimal health.
A few years later, I decided to go back to university to become a clinical nurse, as my academic journey had ups and downs due to my fluctuating health condition. At 13, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. This required a lot of adaptation on my part and I learned to follow my own rhythm in pursuing my dreams.
Even as a youngster, I was already familiar with the hospital setting. I still remember the great care I received from nurses during my frequent hospital stays and the impact this had on my remission process. Although these were trying times, they allowed me to understand the importance of receiving quality care and especially putting myself in the shoes of the people in my care, both during my studies and throughout my career. Attentive listening, a smile, therapeutic touch, humour and caring can make a real difference in people’s lives. This is something I experienced firsthand!