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Welcome to our Nursing Class Icebreaker!
Create a single post that introduces yourself to your classmates:

1. Add an image or collage that represents your interest in nursing

2. Fill in the following information:

Your name

Why you chose nursing

A unique perspective or experience you bring to nursing

Note: You can create a collage using any image editing tool, or simply upload a single meaningful image.

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Hi everyone, my name is Milaina Wong.  I just completed my undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Brock University.

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I was drawn to nursing as it offers a vast variety of opportunities that will allow for me to give back to the community, be involved in the enhancement of patient care, and contribute to positive changes in the healthcare system.  In 2024, I witnessed first hand the enormous impact that nurses have on patient treatment and recovery, after enduring lengthy hospitalizations of three close family members.  These experiences amplified my desire to enter the field of nursing.

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I feel strongly that I will bring a unique perspective to nursing as a result of my diverse background, the experience I have gained from my work and volunteer placements, along with a desire to advocate for patient equity. 

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Hi guys! My name is Jenna Wiegand and I am a medical science graduate here at Brock.

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I chose nursing because of my background and interactions with the health care system. I’ve had type 1 diabetes 20 years, and my good and bad experiences with nurses, doctors, and dieticians on my health care team really motivated me to want to pursue nursing :) 

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I’m excited to have a hands on learning experience and be able to get to know my classmates and work as a team with everyone. I’m hoping to bring a really open mind to the program with an area of my own expertise and get to learn with and from all of my peers! 

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I have always considered nursing as a career path but took my first career in another direction. I found that in social work I wished that I was more involved in the medical care of patients and I wanted to be doing more hands on work. 

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I come from a background in hospital social work and mental health. In social work I have worked in child welfare, counselling, and with a small specialized mental health team who saw the most severe client population with frequent emergency visits and inpatient stays. I have worked on collaborative teams with nurses and occupational therapist to best help the clients. I have a deep understanding of this side of healthcare and I’m looking forward to adding in some more practical and hands on nursing skills to become a well rounded RN 

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Hi everyone! My name is Bre (Breanne) Poernbacher, and I have an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from McMaster

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I did a lot of end-of-life/palliative care research in my undergrad , which eventually inspired me to start volunteering at a hospice in Hamilton. There I worked alongside amazing hospice nurses who demonstrated to me what compassionate, holistic, individualized patient care looks like. This was very eye-opening to me; I realized that as much as I love research, I also would enjoy bedside care, especially in the realm of ensuring end-of-life patients and their families are as comfortable as possible. 

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My background in Anthropology has equipped me with knowledge regarding many social determinants of health, their historical roots, as well as recommendations for how to not exacerbate harm when working with different communities. Through many research projects, I have learned how to communicate effectively with participants in a culturally-safe and -informed way, which will be very helpful during future patient interactions. 

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Hey everyone! My name is Mikala and I just finished my undergrad in Health Sciences and Psychology last month :)  

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I have always been interested in nursing and this interest was confirmed during my undergrad. I have been exposed to many different nurses during hospital visits for family and friends and have always admired their empathetic care and how they create comfortability in an often stressful or scary situation. I am so excited to care for patients and help them feel this way during their hospital stay! 

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Though I’ve never worked or volunteered in a hospital setting I think my undergrad experience will help me in my nursing career, especially considering the psychological aspects of nursing. I’m  excited to learn from each other, get this hands on experience, and see what clinical experiences I’m drawn to most!   

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Hi everyone! My name is Cristina Howarth. I have just completed my medical science degree at Brock. 

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I have always desired a profession that was part of making a difference and helping others. I knew from high school that I wanted to pursue something in the healthcare field but wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do. After a job working as a COVID screener I started to gain an interest into nursing. Being surrounded by so many nurses in my personal life as well as interacting with them at work helped to solidify my decision to pursue nursing. 

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I believe that my experiences in the healthcare field, combined with personal experiences involving my family’s interactions with healthcare, have equipped me with empathy and relatability that can help provide comfort to patients and their families.

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Hi, everyone! My name is Emma. I graduated from Health Sci at UWaterloo in 2023

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I made this collage that shows some of the things that I think of when I think of nursing. For me, nursing is first and foremost about caring for others. I have a few different healthcare experiences (Porter, Volunteer First Responder, EMG Tech) that have shaped me as a healthcare worker. My favourite thing about each of these experiences has been being able to connect with people, making them feel safe and comfortable during a distressing time. Ultimately, I think that is what fuels my future nursing aspirations.

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I would say that my experience in various different healthcare settings gives me a unique perspective in critical thinking and problem-solving — keeping an open mind and always looking for new ways to do things!

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Hi! My name is Olivia! I just finished up my undergrad in Psychology and Neuroscience at Laurier. I am from Waterloo so Brock is a nice change!

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Nursing has always been an interest of mine. Seeing and hearing the high praise my grandfather and uncle had for nurses further inspired me. My experience on the Emergency Response Team exposed me to injuries and critical situations, where I saw firsthand the importance of staying calm, and acting quickly. Both of these experiences further solidified my desire to become a nurse and make that same kind of impact. I have always loved connections with others and value a rewarding career so nursing seemed a good fit!

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I bring a unique perspective through my undergraduate background in psychology and neuroscience, which has given me a strong understanding of the brain as the body’s “control centre”. This knowledge helps me better understand how physiological and cognitive systems interact especially in moments of stress or crisis. As well, my time on the Emergency Response Team has provided hands-on experience in high-pressure situations where quick thinking and teamwork are essential. I bring many hours of shifting experience, and a keen desire to help!

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I chose to pursue BN/MN because of the many different pathways and opportunities in the nursing field, especially with the Master’s degree. I enjoy working with people and working in a hands-on environment so I am excited to start the program!

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During my Medical Science undergrad at Brock I worked in an opioid addiction clinic. This has allowed me to develop a unique perspective on the opioid addiction epidemic currently occurring across Canada and has challenged my previously stigmatized views relating to those with opioid use disorder. I also gained valuable experience working with vulnerable populations that come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. 

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Since graduating with a Kinesiology degree from Brock I have been working in the operating room at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. I have had the opportunity to be exposed to a lot of cool things and came across the profession of cardiac perfusion. For me, nursing is a way to give me an opportunity to gain a lot of valuable experience - hopefully in a cardiac setting - before then trying to continue my education afterwards in perfusion. 

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With my time working in the OR I have been able to see quite a lot of interesting things. From taking amputated limbs to the morgue, to assisting in a code omega and blue situations. I’ve seen many lives saved and I have also seen a few end. Working closely with nurses, doctors and all of the other staff  has made me appreciate the idea of being part of an interdisciplinary team that focuses on providing care to those in need. I look forward to becoming a nurse and taking on more responsibility and continuing my learning afterwards. 

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Hi everyone my name is Ava! I completed my undergrad at McMaster University in Health and Society. 

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I chose to pursue Nursing while working my current job as a Medical Assistant, where I developed a strong appreciation for healthcare providers. I always knew I wanted to do something in healthcare as I’m passionate about helping people and I’m excited to see which direction it takes me in! 

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Working at a doctors office has allowed me to build on communication, interpersonal, and team work skills that I believe will be essential for Nursing. Being involved in patient care has also encouraged me to view health in a different way, shedding light on the various challenges within our society. 

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I chose nursing because of the many diverse careers paths that it offers. I also wanted something fulfilling that would make a difference in communities. I am primarily interested in the health of marginalized populations with the goal of diminishing the feeling of alienation for immigrant women and contributing to the reconciliation processes for indigenous families.  

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During my time in undergrad, I began volunteering at a paediatric clinic providing support to children on various levels of the spectrum in clinical and at-home settings. I practiced self-regulation, compassion, and empathy with each child and learned that their behaviour was not only a reflection of their diagnosis but also of their family dynamics and social determinants. I understood the vital roles that nurses play in supporting patients which inspired me to one day do the same for other families. 

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Hey! my name is Jenna Moore and I just finished my undergrad in kinesiology at Laurier. 

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I chose nursing because of my experience working at a hospital during covid, seeing the fast paced environment and how everyone worked so closely together really interested me. I've always enjoyed learning about the human body and interacting with people so I think nursing is a perfect combination of the two! 

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I think my experience working and volunteering at hospitals will provide me with a unique perspective especially when we begin our clinical placements. I think these experiences contribute to my excitement and my willingness to learn and do more to help others! 

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Hi everyone, my name is Rachael and I graduated from my undergrad in biomedical sciences at the university of waterloo a few years ago!

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I am excited to pursue nursing as I have found that I really enjoy patient interaction and I am also really excited for the variety within nursing. I like that there are so many different pathways to go down, and that there is the opportunity to move around within my career.

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I spent time working as a PSW during my undergrad and after I graduated. I think this gave me a different perspective of the healthcare and it is also why I originally considered nursing. From that, I have a lot of experience working with many individuals including those with neurological disorders, dementia and many more. I also have experience in clinical research. I have a graduate certificate in clinical research and have been working as a clinical research coordinator for the past year. I worked in a cancer centre so I worked on a lot of oncology clinical trials, as well as some others. I think this gives me a really unique perspective from the research side of cancer treatment. I had some patient interaction in this position and realized that I realy enjoyed it. I also really got to see how the cancer centre operated and seeing the nurses and how big of a difference they can make for patients really solidified going into nursing for me!

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Hi everyone, my name’s Kemini! I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at TMU.

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I’ve always had an interest in healthcare and growing up I saw my father working as a nurse. Throughout my volunteer experiences in various clinics and hospital settings, I had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how healthcare is delivered and the role of a nurse really piqued my interest! I really admire the ability to connect with patients one on one and create meaningful connections! 

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My academic background in Biomedical Sciences has equipped me with a diverse skill set including a strong foundation in the sciences and has helped developed my critical thinking skills, which I believe I can bring to the nursing profession. Additionally, having volunteered in different healthcare settings with different patient populations has allowed me to see how care is delivered and my exposure to patients with different cultures and ethnic backgrounds will allow me to provide more culturally sensitive, inclusive and patient- centered care as a RN!

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I've always been interested in working in health care and when I found the BN/MN program at Brock, I really liked the fact that it combined a Bachelor's with a Master's degree. Also, during my Bachelor's of Health Sciences at Queen's University I concentrated in Global and Population Health. These were some of my favourite courses and made me interested in pursuing a career as a public health  nurse.

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In addition to my studies, I also lived in Kenya for five years. During this time, I was able to learn about different cultures and saw first hand the impact that various population health issues can have on individuals and population groups, such as poverty, food insecurity, inaccessibility to health care among others. This experience has made me interested in working as a public health nurse in order to develop upstream interventions and reduce barriers to accessing health promoting resources. 

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I have enjoyed the health care aspects of volunteering as a medical responder for the past three years at my previous university and also working as a volunteer Firefighter. 

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I feel as though I have a good understanding of pre-hospital care from my previous experience and I’m very excited to learn more about what care looks like once patients arrive in the hospital!

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Looking for a career change within healthcare that supports the life and family I hope to build (largely includes children, camping, chickens/goats/rabbits). Working in MHA crisis I felt limited without a regulated college and looking for more flexibility in work, location and schedule.

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Working as a Primary Care Paramedic for 6 years and Mobile Crisis Worker with COAST/988 for the last 2 years, I have become increasingly passionate about gaps in the psychiatric care system. I am a firm believer in the importance of meeting your patients where they are at and promoting transparency to build trust. 

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Hi everyone! My name is Mackenzie Tomins and I previously completed my Honours Bachelors of Medical Sciences here at Brock University. 

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I chose nursing because it combines my passion for science with my commitment to service, community, and human connection. Through my studies in medical sciences and volunteer work with organizations like Niagara Health and the St. Catharines Female Hockey Association, I’ve seen the powerful impact that compassionate, hands-on care can have. Nursing allows me to be both a caregiver and an advocate, supporting people not only through illness but through some of their most vulnerable moments. I’m driven to make a difference in my community and to be the kind of nurse who listens, uplifts, and empowers every patient I serve.

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My unique perspective for nursing is shaped by my deep connection to the Niagara Region, my academic background in medical sciences, and over 250 hours of community service with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Brock Functional Inclusive Centre. These experiences taught me how to communicate with empathy, build trust, and support individuals from all walks of life. Through daily practices like mindfulness and journaling, I’ve developed strong emotional awareness, skills I believe are just as important in nursing as clinical knowledge. I see nursing as more than a profession; it’s a way to advocate for others, foster meaningful relationships, and provide care that respects the whole person!

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Black and Green Aesthetic Moodboard Desktop Wallpaper copy

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Hi! I'm Savanna, I graduated with my Bachelor's in Honours Health Sciences with Biology from Western in 2023.

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I have always had a passion for healthcare, but my undergrad was very science based. I consider myself a very empathetic person, and would love to care for patients while building relationships to allow them a sense of comfortability. Helping others makes me feel immensely fulfilled.

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For the past 2 years, I worked as a clinic manager for a nurse who specialized in IV therapy. It opened my eyes to how many different paths there are in nursing. I appreciated the holistic approach and prioritizing health prevention. The connections I built with the patients were so meaningful, I further developed my passion for caring for others. 

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Hey everyone! My name is Dana Perillo. I'm from Montreal, and I completed my undergraduate at McGill University in Psychology. 

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I chose to pursue nursing because of all the opportunities that it brings, and the ability to make an impact on people's lives. I am especially interested in emergency medicine. 

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I developed a great appreciation for healthcare workers after volunteering for Kids Help Phone as a crisis responder. I was exposed to really difficult topics when speaking to some people, and I truly noticed how important it is to be there for people at their lowest. 

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Hello!!! I'm Jenna Pasquale and I just graduated from Brock's MedSci program and I am excited to meet everyone and create lasting memories and friendships with everyone. 

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I choose nursing because of this unique program Brock offered including both a masters and bachelors degree. I also had the opportunity to work alongside healthcare providers in various volunteer roles and everyone that I talked to said they loved working in health care and it inspired me to pursue a career in health care as well. 

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A unique perspective I bring stems from doing an undergraduate thesis in Dr. MacNeils immunology lab. Throughout that experience, I learned many different aspects of the immune system and the impact of allergies on the immune system and the population. My research focused on a novel human mast cell line and TAK1 inhibition in TLR signalling cascades and how that affects the innate immune response by measuring the amount of MAPK protein phosphorylation. This experience will better my understanding of how the patients' immune system plays a role in their care journey and how I care for patients. Addtionally, I have an understanding of how vaccines work and their importance in the health care world. 

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I had previous experience volunteering in the Welland hospital and during my undergrad at Brock I did a placement with the Port Colborne hospital’s Hepatitis C care clinic and really enjoyed both experiences! This helped guide me into nursing along with my family history of nurses. 

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During my undergrad I also greatly enjoyed research and published a paper on the virulence mechanisms of hookworms. I am interested in both the research aspect of nursing and the care aspect as well! 

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I chose nursing because it offers so many different pathways and opportunities—whether it’s bedside care, community education, or something completely different, I love that I won’t be limited to just one role. I want a career that’s fast-paced, hands-on, and never boring, where every day brings something new and there are always opportunities to be a lifelong learner.

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My background in biomedical sciences and various research positions, have given me a strong understanding of the science behind health and disease. These experiences have deepened my interest in women’s health, obstetrics, and sexual health education. I’m passionate about empowering patients through knowledge, advocacy, and compassionate care, and I’m excited to combine my scientific background with hands-on nursing to make a meaningful impact in these areas!

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Hello everyone  my name is Nickiesha Brady

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As a child, I lived with my grandmother, who needed eye drops every day. I remember always wanting to help her by putting the drops in her eyes. At the time, I didn’t fully understand how important it was; I just wanted to help her feel better. Those experiences showed me how much I enjoy caring for others.

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As a PSW, I've worked in different places like long-term care homes and people’s homes. I’ve also cared for children living with developmental disabilities, which helped me learn how to support people with different needs. I’ve enjoyed all of these jobs, but I feel most connected to working with older adults. I find it meaningful to support them and hear their life stories. 

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The person in the picture I’ve attached is an ancient Egyptian woman named Verena, who is known in my tradition as a prototype of genuine nursing care for her work in promoting physical hygiene and caring for the less fortunate while attending to the psychological and spiritual concerns of the people she helped. I take a lot of inspiration from her.

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Hi everyone, my name is Patrick, but I also go by Pat.

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Apart from coming from a line of nurses, I’ve always been fond of the work that nurses do. To put it bluntly, without nurses, the healthcare system cannot run! I always admire those jobs where all the theory and the thought of what should be done is actually put in place, and nurses are those in the health world that take on that role to the max. When looking into the career, I was fascinated by all the different avenues and places that nurses are involved in. I’m a person who is open to change and likes to be put in new experiences to expand my abilities, and I feel like there is no other experience that will fulfill that for me other than in nursing! 

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I am deeply connected to my Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox roots, and I am an inheritor of a rich spiritual tradition that comes from the indigenous people of the Egyptian land. That connection has expressed itself outwardly with my ever-curious orientation towards psychological health (connected to spiritual health) and specifically how it relates, interacts with, and even influences physical health and vice versa. I’ve already been very fond of the holistic approach of the nursing practice which takes into account the different models of health and integrates them together to get the best results for those we care for, starting with the basics good communication and genuiness. I’ve always thought that one’s health is more than the absence of disease—it is one’s ability to reach their highest potential physically and in their internal psyche and spirit to reach an enlightenment that is available to everyone. As nurses, we have the opportunity to help so many take steps towards this end when we do our work well.

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I chose to join the BN/MN program because of the many different pathways that it has to offer within the nursing field. I have always had an interest in health care and considered other pathways like medical school but I feel that nursing is best fit for me as I like the aspects of close nd personal interaction with patients. I have been exposed to the health care field from a young age as both of my parents are paramedics; they were both an amazing influence for me as I navigated through my interests in the field 

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During my degree in medical sciences at brock, I was able to explore many different pathways to determine my future. I explored research, as I did an undergraduate thesis in immunology relating to alllergic reaction care. Although I enjoyed my research, I found that I had a much greater interest in patient care as I enjoy social interactions and helping others. To solidfy my choice, I volunteered at the cancer center in the St. Catharines General hospital where I helped in the outpatient clinic. This experience was very rewarding for me and helped me make my final choice to join the nursing program. 

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I chose to be a nurse to make a direct impact on peoples lives. A striking medical situation involving my father was what fully catalyzed my drive towards nursing. The attention, professionalism, and care shown by his ICU nurse inspired me as she was able to handle his situation and we all relied on her competence to keep him healthy. I had always wanted to get into medicine but that experience made me value the human aspect of care and the mark we leave on our patients. I want to be able to do my part in giving those family members the confidence that they are receiving the best care possible. 

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I had done a degree in biomedical science and racked up several years of chemical biotech research at Brock. In research, the correct mindset, ethics, and knowledge are always required to do the best research possible. I believe nursing is a constant process of research on a patient-by-patient basis even if it is subconcious and almost a gut feeling. The skills I learned through my research I hope will help me make informed decisions and ensure high quality care in all aspects of my nursing practice.

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I come from an agricultural background—I studied BSc (Hons.) Agriculture and even worked in greenhouses here in Canada. I’ve always been drawn to nurturing life and helping things grow, whether it was plants or the people I worked with. But after moving to Canada in 2021, I started seeing things differently. Working in a greenhouse came with job insecurity and low wages, and I found myself asking: is this where I want to be long-term? At the same time, becoming a mom and visiting hospitals more frequently made a big impact on me. The nurses I met weren’t just doing a job—they were a source of calm, kindness, and strength. Watching them, I felt this deep pull toward nursing. It felt like a place where I could care for others in a meaningful way and find the stability and purpose I was looking for. Having family members in the nursing profession also gave me a closer look into the rewards and challenges of the field. Their stories inspired me. Nursing started to feel less like a career change and more like coming home to something I hadn’t realized was mine all along.

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I bring a blend of experiences that I believe add something different to my journey into nursing. Growing up in India and studying agriculture taught me to be patient and observant. Caring for plants requires attention, time, and the ability to respond to subtle changes—much like caring for people. My work with local farmers and communities taught me how important empathy, education, and connection are. Since moving to Canada, I’ve adapted to a whole new way of life while raising a young child. Being a mother has shown me what it means to care completely for someone else—to anticipate their needs, to offer comfort, and to stay strong even when you’re tired. These are values I’ll carry with me into nursing. I also know how it feels like to be on the receiving end of care. During hospital visits, I’ve seen the power of a gentle touch, a listening ear, and someone who truly sees you. That’s the kind of nurse I want to be—one who combines skill with compassion, and who brings her full self to every patient interaction. The BN/MN program at Brock excites me because it values diverse experiences and prepares students for meaningful, well-rounded care. I know I’m coming to nursing a little differently than most, but I believe those differences are my strengths.

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Hello everyone! My name is Kwaku. I completed my undergraduate degree in Honours Biomedical Science at the University of Waterloo.

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My identification with this profession was nurtured by my mother and early childhood experiences. My mother was a nursing student during my formative years and it left a lasting impression on me as a child. I remember being fascinated with the contents of my mother's Pharmacology textbook and the platform Nursing provided my mom to connect to others. As I've watched her mature over the last two decades as a nursing professional, I've been struck by her deep sense of fulfillment at her chosen profession. Like my mother, I yearn to cultivate life-long friendships with Physicians, Nurses, Dietitians, Personal Support Workers (PSW), Pharmacists, Social Workers and Nurse Practitioners. Furthermore, I want to study Nursing because I am passionate about the fields of trauma and mental health. I believe the Nursing program will deepen my understanding of the various forms of trauma people experience and how trauma impacts one’s mental health because of its emphasis on service to the public, knowledge based practice and ethical practice. Subsequently, I’m interested in how the Nursing program provides insight into various forms of therapy and how these therapies may heal trauma in light of growing awareness about the long term effects of adverse life experiences on an individual's wellbeing. To continue, my future career goals include continuing my nursing education through the nurse practitioner program with a specialization in orthopedic surgery. Thus, nursing allows me to further explore my research interests while providing me the tools to advance my career goals.

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I believe the medical school journey that I have undertaken in the past will contribute to my future success in nursing. I wrote the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and received a competitive score of 494 in 2016. The MCAT is a grueling eight hour exam that took considerable preparation to achieve a respectable score in and so I learned about the importance of perseverance towards achieving my goals. My experience preparing for the MCAT also fostered a strong work ethic and drive for excellence. Subsequently, I was admitted into medical school where I completed four semesters. My time in medical school has imbued me with the knowledge needed to be productive, efficient, emotionally intelligent, professional and to be able to work in a team in a medical field setting. Furthermore, I also wrote the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) where I received a competitive score of 291 in 2020. Writing the GRE taught me the importance of self-care and being able to prioritize health as one strives for success. Ultimately, I believe characteristics such as a strong work ethic, perseverance, competitiveness, emotional intelligence, an ability to work in a team and knowledge of self-care will help me excel in nursing.