# data[].attributes.body
This topic is very meaningful to me because I was born prematurely. My mother was considered high-risk during her second pregnancy due to her age and history of pregnancy-related complications. Combining my own story and knowledge from the courses, I believe nurses must listen, educate, advocate, and include families in decision-making. Seeing what my mother went through and now learning how to support others in similar situations has shaped the kind of nurse I want to become: compassionate, informed, and deeply respectful of each family's journey.

# data[].attributes.body
I wrote this poem when I thought of this assignment, writing this poem brought me back to a part of my life I have always carried with me. My start in this world was fragile. I can imagine how much love and strength it took to keep me going. I’ve always been told I was a fighter. That even in those first fragile moments, there was love, and there was hope.

As a nursing student, I walk through NICUs where babies like us are still fighting. And something inside me connects deeply to those tiny patients and their families. It’s personal. I don’t just see patients, I see stories. I see possibility. I see myself.

This journey is deeply personal. And every step I take in this profession feels like a continuation of that fight I started years ago. Nursing, for me, isn’t just a career it’s a full-circle moment of purpose.

# data[].attributes.body
This image captures a relationship that has shaped every part of who I am. The warmth in her kiss and the peace on my face is symbol of the strength, support, and unconditional love I have been blessed with throughout my life.

My mom has been my anchor through challenges, a source of comfort and confidence when I doubted myself. Her faith in me, especially during difficult times, taught me resilience. This image reminds me that healing and growth don’t happen in isolation they happen within relationships. I believe that health is more than medicine, it’s about human connection. Families like mine teach me that physical healing of a patient is intertwined with emotional and relational support.

This photo is meaningful because it represents not just a past or a memory, but the ongoing presence of love and strength that fuels my purpose every day. It is a reminder that I carry my mom's love into every space I enter.

# data[].attributes.body
Mental health in adolescents and young adults became one of my strongest areas of interest especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns, social distancing, and prolonged isolation during that time brought a sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and emotional distress among youth. What stood out to me was how often adolescent mental health is misunderstood or minimized by adults, even within families.

# data[].attributes.body
Prayer has always been a source of comfort and strength for me, especially during times when I feel emotionally overwhelmed or isolated. As an international student far from home, dealing with academic stress, loneliness, and the pressure to stay strong for my family, I often turn to prayer as a way to ground myself. It helps me reconnect with my spiritual beliefs and find peace in moments of anxiety or sadness. Even when I don’t have someone physically present to talk to, prayer gives me a sense of connection and emotional release. It reminds me that I’m not alone and that there’s something greater holding me through my struggles. My spiritual practice doesn’t erase depression, but it helps me cope, find meaning, and continue moving forward with hope.

# data[].attributes.body
"Someone You Loved” captures the emotional pain of losing connection with someone who made you feel safe, seen, or emotionally supported. It expresses feelings of grief, loneliness, emptiness also mirrors what depression can feel like, especially when you’re far from home and trying to carry emotional weight silently.

For me, this song reminds me of moments when I wished someone could truly understand what I was going through, without me having to explain or hide it. As an international student navigating the pressure of independence and emotional distance from loved ones, I’ve often found myself missing the kind of support that feels unconditional. The lyrics, “Now the day bleeds into nightfall / And you're not here to get me through it all,” reflect how deeply we crave connection when we feel low.

It brings forward that side of adolescent and young adult mental health that isn't always spoken about: the fear of being alone in your struggle, and the hope that someone, somewhere, might understand.

# data[].attributes.body
Cooking has always been a therapeutic activity for me, especially during emotionally difficult times. When I prepare a Bengali dish, it becomes a way to reconnect with my roots and bring a piece of home into my current life with the aroma, the spices and familiarity of the process. Sharing those meals with friends helps me feel less alone. It’s a reminder that even though I’m far from my family, I can still create warmth, connection, and love in my own way.

During the transition into my life here in Canada, cooking became my top hobby which is also one of my stress-coping strategies.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Racine, N., et al. (2021). Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during COVID-19: A meta-analysis.
Journal: JAMA Pediatrics
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2782796

This article gives powerful evidence about how COVID-19 worsened adolescent mental health globally.

2. Barker, G., et al. (2020). Mental health of adolescents: A growing concern.
Published by: World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
This WHO resource highlights the vulnerabilities and early onset of mental disorders among adolescents, reinforcing the importance of early family-based intervention.

# data[].attributes.body
This image is a reminder of where I came from. What hits me the most in this image is the quiet strength of the mother. Behind that still moment is a storm most people don’t see: fear, exhaustion, and the painful uncertainty of whether your baby will make it through the night.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 13.4 million babies are born prematurely each year, and almost 1 million die due to complications of preterm birth. Even with medical advancements, the survival of a preemie especially in low-resource settings is still not guaranteed.

This artifact represents the full circle I’m living. I once lay in that same position, wrapped in wires, held by love. Today, I stand on the other side as a nurse-in-training, ready to offer care. The irony of life.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Saigal, S., & Doyle, L. W. (2008).
An overview of mortality and sequelae of preterm birth from infancy to adulthood. The Lancet, 371(9608), 261-269. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)60136-1/abstract

This article explains how premature infants are at increased risk of long-term developmental and health challenges. It highlights the need for specialized follow-up care and early interventions, such as developmental screening and family education.

2. Balint, K. A., & George, L. S. (2020).
Integrating spirituality into perinatal care: An essential component of holistic nursing. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 38(3), 347–357.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0898010119889704

This article discusses how spiritual care can reduce anxiety and promote resilience in high-risk pregnancies.

# data[].attributes.body
Throughout NURS 2001, I became increasingly aware of the systemic barriers LGBTQ+ individuals face when accessing healthcare from lack of provider knowledge to fear of judgment or misgendering. This topic challenged me to look beyond basic clinical skills and confront how bias, heteronormativity, and exclusion affect health outcomes.

In one story my friend shared, a transmasculine person avoided perinatal care due to past trauma in healthcare. As a future nurse, I want to help create a culture of safety and belonging so that LGBTQ+ patients don’t have to choose between their identity and their health.

# data[].attributes.headline
“LGBTQ+ People Talk About Barriers to Health Care” – CBC Docs

# data[].attributes.subject
“LGBTQ+ People Talk About Barriers to Health Care” – CBC Docs

# data[].attributes.body
This is an An interview video where the LGBTQ+ populations talk about their experience and difficulties when receiving healthcare services. This video powerfully highlights the real-life impact of discrimination, misgendering, and systemic exclusion in health care. Hearing LGBTQ+ individuals speak directly about their experiences helped me understand how health care spaces can feel unsafe, invalidating, or even traumatic not because of medical care itself, but because of how they are treated as people.

As a student nurse, it challenged me to reflect on my own comfort level and how I might unintentionally contribute to someone feeling judged or invisible. As a future nurse, this reinforced the importance of relational presence, inclusive language, and humility. I must be someone my patients trust to see them, affirm them, and walk beside them without assumptions. This video made the emotional and ethical urgency of affirming care very real for me.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
LGBTIQ+ People Talk About Their Experiences Accessing Health Care

# data[].attributes.body
This news story shows how discrimination in health care systems can still exist today even when it’s hidden behind “policy” or “safety.” The fact that a gay man like Christopher Karas has to take Health Canada to court just to be treated equally as a blood donor says a lot about how far we still need to go in providing fair and inclusive care. This article emphasizes the tension between public health risk management and human rights, and how certain populations like gay men are still being singled out based on outdated or generalized data. We have a responsibility to ask who might be harmed or excluded by the systems we work in.

As a future nurse, I believe that policies based on outdated stereotypes, not individual risk, go against ethical and inclusive care. If we want to build trust with LGBTQ+ communities, we need to speak up when policies cause harm.

# data[].attributes.body
Growing up, I rarely saw LGBTQ+ representation in a positive or safe light. This is an image taken in 2023 when I was a newcomer in this country. As a Bangladeshi living in Canada, seeing the Bangladeshi flag at Pride Toronto made me feel a powerful mix of pride, hope, and belonging. It reminded me that queer people from my culture who often face silence, stigma, or even danger deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

It affirmed my commitment to creating safe and inclusive spaces in health care, especially for LGBTQ+ patients from immigrant, racialized, or culturally conservative backgrounds.

This artifact reflects the intersection of culture, identity, and advocacy. Visibility as a form of healing. As I grow into my nursing role, I want to carry forward this sense of compassion, allyship, and cultural humility.

# data[].attributes.body
Family-Centered Care emphasizes that families are not just visitors but active partners in the healthcare journey. Throughout my clinical placement, I witnessed how involving families can improve communication, decision-making, and emotional support for patients. Reflecting on this topic helped me appreciate the complexity of family dynamics and the need for cultural safety and respect in nursing practice. It also challenged me to develop my relational skills to better engage families with empathy and humility, preparing me to provide care that honors the whole person within their unique family context.

# data[].attributes.body
This image shows the miracle of life and how important family support is during such a special moment. During the most vulnerable and stressful time a mother faces, having family close can provide comfort, support, and encouragement for the mother. This image shows that birth is a shared experience, and that family-centered care means recognizing and including those connections.

During my placement, I mostly saw families being actively involved in care, and it was inspiring to witness how much this helped the patients feel supported and cared for. Seeing families included made me realize how important it is for nurses to encourage and facilitate this involvement. This experience has taught me that caring for a patient means caring for the whole family, honoring their role in health and healing.

# data[].attributes.body
This image of a person receiving palliative care surrounded by family highlights how family presence is vital during both the beginning and the end of life. Just as families gather around a mother to support the miracle of birth, they also come together to provide comfort and strength during the final stages of life. These moments, though very different, share a common thread: the importance of connection, love, and being present.

I am grateful that most healthcare facilities allow the family to be with their loved ones at the bedside. In my future practice in the nursing profession, I will remember the importance of family and apply this concept throughout my practice. At the same time, I will also respect the different family structures for each individual to receive more inclusive care.

# data[].attributes.body
Before I knew the reason behind addiction, I would think about disaster and bad people every time I heard this word. Sadly, this is still what many people think about addiction nowadays. But after I started my nursing studies, especially after mental health placement, I understood that addiction is not a choice, and the reasons people develop addictions can be complex. I chose the topic of addiction because it challenged many of my own assumptions and taught me the importance of approaching health issues without judgment.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Best Explanation of Addiction I’ve Ever Heard – Dr. Gabor Maté

# data[].attributes.subject
The Best Explanation of Addiction I’ve Ever Heard – Dr. Gabor Maté

# data[].attributes.body
This video challenges the common misconceptions about addiction that I and many others have held. Before learning more through my nursing studies, I viewed addiction through a judgmental lens, often associating it with personal failure or poor choices. This video show how addiction is a complex, chronic brain disease influenced by genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.

Seeing addiction framed this way shifted my perspective from blame to empathy. It highlighted the importance of approaching patients struggling with addiction with compassion and respect rather than judgment. For me, this video holds the critical role nurses play in providing holistic, non-stigmatizing care that acknowledges the challenges of addiction while supporting recovery and dignity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Best Explanation of Addiction I’ve Ever Heard – Dr. Gabor Maté

# data[].attributes.body
I want to be a nurse walking beside someone during their journey, not ahead or behind. The older figure in white represents the nurse, and the child in red symbolizes the patient. The colorful trees and open sky show beauty, change, and hope. In this course, I learned that nursing is not just about doing tasks it’s about forming genuine relationships and being emotionally present without biases and judgements.

I am learning that my role is to accompany patients through their struggles, offering steady support, to embrace humility and compassion, walking alongside patients as they navigate their own journey toward healing. Making this painting helped me reflect on my own values and reminded me why I chose nursing: to walk with people in both joyful and difficult times.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This picture was taken on my 18th birthday, 3 months before I came here

# data[].attributes.body
My family is my foundation. They believe more in me than I do. They have supported me through every stage of my life, including my journey of staying abroad.

Having grown up in a close-knit family, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful love and presence can be during both joyful and difficult times. No matter what we go through, we show up for each other especially when someone is sick or going through a hard time. In my family, illness is never faced alone. We’re always by each other’s side, offering comfort, prayers, food, laughter, or simply a quiet presence. It’s something I’ve always found amazing and grounding. That kind of constant support has shaped how I view care in nursing.

I’ve seen firsthand how much it matters to have someone there, holding your hand or just sitting close. This is why I believe so strongly in family-centered care because I know how important it is to feel seen, supported, and never alone. My family gives me strength, and they shape the kind of compassionate nurse I strive to be.

# data[].attributes.body
The idea of the “locks being on the inside” reminds me how trapped people can feel when struggling with addiction. It’s not easy to just “walk away.”

# data[].attributes.body
Shields, L., Pratt, J., & Hunter, J. (2022).
Title: Family-centred care: Theoretical, practical and ethical issues. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(1-2), 10–20.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.16001
This article explores the foundation of family-centered care, discussing how involving families in decision-making improves outcomes, patient satisfaction, and emotional support.

Mackie, B. R., Marshall, A., & Mitchell, M. (2021).
Title: Patient and family members' perceptions of family‐centred care in intensive care units: A qualitative meta‐synthesis

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(17-18), 2508–2521.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.15795
This synthesis highlights that families feel empowered and supported when nurses communicate effectively and include them in care decisions

# data[].attributes.body
1. A 2024 commentary in The American Journal of Nursing outlines strategies for mitigating stigma in SUD care through person‑centered, non-judgmental care, use of medically appropriate language, and addressing implicit bias. https://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/fulltext/2024/01000/ce__reducing_bias_against_people_with_substance.17.aspx

2. A 2024 systematic review of randomized clinical trials involving nursing-led interventions for substance use disorders highlights effective strategies like personalized telehealth follow-ups, care coordination, and abstinence-based incentives. http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39038706/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
CE: Reducing Bias Against People with Substance Use... : AJN The American Journal of Nursing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
igma associated with addiction contributes to health inequities and is recognized as a significant barrier to people seeking and receiving necessary health care. Since patients often spend the most time with nurses in the clinical setting, nurses are ideally positioned to address addiction stigma. However, many nurses lack knowledge about addiction, stigma, and the impact of the words they use, whether in conversation or in clinical documentation. This article reviews the consequences of addiction stigma (labeling, stereotyping, or discrimination) and the steps nurses can take to reduce biases related to substance use. A case scenario based on our experience will be used to guide a discussion of opportunities for nurses to intervene and improve care.…

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Gabor Maté. (2019, approximately July). The best explanation of addiction I've ever heard [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys6TCO_olOc

Ginther, J., & McNally, G. (2024, January 1). CE: Reducing bias against people with substance use disorders. American Journal of Nursing, 124(1), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000998224.71157.90

Lucas‑Guerra, C., González‑Ordi, H., & Del‑Gallego‑Lastra, R. (2024). Nursing interventions in patients with substance use disorders: A systematic review. Enfermería Clínica (English Edition), 34(4), 271–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcle.2024.07.006

Reality Foundation Ladies Unit. (2017, October 16). The locks are on the inside [Photograph]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/100070159187356/posts/the-locks-are-on-the-inside

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
CE: Reducing Bias Against People with Substance Use... : AJN The American Journal of Nursing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
igma associated with addiction contributes to health inequities and is recognized as a significant barrier to people seeking and receiving necessary health care. Since patients often spend the most time with nurses in the clinical setting, nurses are ideally positioned to address addiction stigma. However, many nurses lack knowledge about addiction, stigma, and the impact of the words they use, whether in conversation or in clinical documentation. This article reviews the consequences of addiction stigma (labeling, stereotyping, or discrimination) and the steps nurses can take to reduce biases related to substance use. A case scenario based on our experience will be used to guide a discussion of opportunities for nurses to intervene and improve care.…

# data[].attributes.body
1. "Transgender patients: Rights and access to health care in Canada"
Published: 2022, Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ)
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/194/12/E429
Discusses legal, ethical, and systemic issues affecting access to care for transgender individuals in Canadian healthcare, with practical implications for nursing practice.

2. Rainbow Health Ontario – Clinical Guidelines for Gender-Affirming Primary Care
Published: Updated 2021
https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/TransHealthGuide/
Offers best practices and affirming approaches for nurses and providers caring for LGBTQ+ populations, especially trans and nonbinary clients.

# data[].attributes.body
Heart's voice. (2023, March 17). "When those butterflies turns into trauma" [Photograph]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=567273232136610&id=100065618134467&set=a.438618331668768

LewisCapaldiVEVO. (2019, February 8). Someone You Loved [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCuhuePlP8o

Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021). Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during COVID-19: A meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(11), 1142–1150. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482

World Health Organization. (2020, September 28). Adolescent mental health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

# data[].attributes.body
Balint, K. A., & George, L. S. (2020). Integrating spirituality into perinatal care: An essential component of holistic nursing. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 38(3), 347–357. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010119889704

Jill Lehmann Photography/Getty Images. (2022, September 7). [NICU mother holding preemie in hospital] [Photograph]. Motherly. https://www.mother.ly/life/motherly-stories/grief-and-joy-of-nicu-mom/

Saigal, S., & Doyle, L. W. (2008). An overview of mortality and sequelae of preterm birth from infancy to adulthood. The Lancet, 371(9608), 261–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60136-1

# data[].attributes.body
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network. (2018, July 26). LGBTIQ+ people talk about their experiences accessing health care [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5-7t_qBw14

Shutterstock. (2018, March 9). LGBT rights concept: Hand holds a heart painted with LGBT flag colors [Photograph]. Shutterstock. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lgbt-rights-concept-hand-holds-heart-1041940579

Tunney, C. (2021, May 13). Gay man fights 'discriminatory' policy that bans him from donating blood. Ottawa tries to block it. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/blood-ban-health-canada-federal-court-1.6020776

# data[].attributes.body
Gorodenkoff. (2018, September 18). In the hospital: Woman in labor pushes to give birth, obstetricians assisting, husband holding her hand for support [Photograph]. iStock. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/in-the-hospital-woman-in-labor-pushes-to-give-birth-obstetricians-assisting-husband-gm1038799250-278057577

Mackie, B. R., Marshall, A., & Mitchell, M. (2021). Patient and family members' perceptions of family‐centred care in intensive care units: A qualitative meta‐synthesis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(17–18), 2508–2521. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15795

North Shore Health Network. (n.d.). [Illustration of patient- and family-centred care principles] [Image]. North Shore Health Network. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://www.nshn.care/patient-family-centred-care

Photographee.eu. (n.d.). Old man lying in a white hospital bed [Photograph]. Shutterstock. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/old-man-lying-white-hospital-bed-452647549

Shields, L., Pratt, J., & Hunter, J. (2022). Family-centred care: Theoretical, practical and ethical issues. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(1–2), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16001