This experience taught me to be even more mindful about how I approach patients, to be sensitive to their histories, and to remember that my words and actions even when routine can either reinforce stigma or help restore dignity and trust. My commitment now is to practice language and interactions that are truly person-centred, empathetic, and stigma-reducing.

In nursing, this is more than a metaphor, it’s a relational truth. When we label someone a “feeder” or “wanderer,” we shape not only how others see them, but also how they see themselves. Relational inquiry teaches us that our words influence the lived experience of those in our care. The experiment also points inward asnhow we speak to ourselves matters.

If nurses carry self-doubt or internalized stigma (“I’m a bad student”), it echoes outward through our tone and posture. Relational inquiry demands we care for ourselves as caregivers nurturing our words and self-talk so we can show up fully for others. As a student nurse, I now see that every interaction is an opportunity to foster healing, reduce stigma, and empower patients, beginning with the words and intentions we choose.

Guru Nanak’s words go beyond mere praise. By saying, “From her, kings are born,” he honours women not only as mothers and nurturers, but as the very source of the world’s greatest leaders and rulers. In a time and culture where women were often seen as inferior, this acknowledgment was both revolutionary and deeply holistic. It recognized the creative, spiritual, and societal dimensions of womanhood and motherhood.

For me, as a student nurse in maternal-child care, this teaching is a profound reminder that every mother carries within her the potential to shape the future, not just physically, but emotionally, culturally, and spiritually.

Holistic care, through Guru Nanak’s lens, is about more than tending to physical needs; it means honouring the strength, dignity, and wisdom of each woman as the origin of life, leadership, and community. It calls us to create spaces in healthcare where women are seen, heard, respected, and truly supported as whole, authentic beings.

One of the most profound examples of her strength and compassion was when my grandmother, her mother-in-law, became seriously ill when I was just 13. My mother cared for her in our home for over twelve years, ensuring she was comfortable, respected, and surrounded by love until the very end. She was nurse, advocate, companion, daughter, and friend, often all at once, tending not only to my grandmother’s physical needs but also her emotional and spiritual well-being.

Witnessing my mother’s devotion and quiet courage has been a constant source of inspiration for me. She is the heart of our family, and her example taught me that holistic care isn’t just a theory, it’s a way of life rooted in empathy, sacrifice, and strength beyond words. Even if I could be the dust at her feet, I would not come close to matching her capacity to give.

It is her example that inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare. Her empathy, compassion, and ability to care for others so deeply made me want to become a nurse who truly sees and supports the whole person and their family. Every day, I strive to bring the same heart and understanding to my nursing practice that she has always shown our family.

When my grandmother passed away a few months ago, I missed her deeply, but I felt at peace knowing I had done everything I could to make her feel safe and loved. This experience changed me forever: it taught me the true meaning of empathy, patience, and the power of simply being there for someone in their most vulnerable times. Now, as I move forward in my nursing career, I want to carry this same sense of devotion and fulfillment into every patient relationship, treating each person with the care, dignity, and compassion I gave to my grandmother.

Implementing the use of these cards, I believe, will help me quickly learn what is important to each person and make patients feel seen and valued beyond their medical needs. This practice brings the person back into person-centred care, and it’s something I plan to use throughout my career.

The feather stands for respect and wisdom, essential qualities in both cultural and healthcare relationships. Water waves symbolize cleansing, healing, and the ever-changing flow of life, important themes in Indigenous teachings. The footprints pay tribute to ancestors and the paths that bring each person to the present moment, while the heart at the centre reflects the foundational importance of love, compassion, and relational connection in both culture and care.

Creating this artwork deepened my appreciation for Indigenous approaches to health, which emphasize community, tradition, and honouring each person’s unique journey. It inspires me to continue learning, to approach every patient with humility and respect for their cultural background, and to advocate for healthcare that is inclusive, safe, and rooted in genuine relationship.

The Maharaja Thali is more than just a meal, it’s a celebration of family, community, and belonging. Growing up, sharing a Thali was about coming together, passing around dishes, and making sure everyone had enough. Even now, this dish brings back memories of home, festivals, and the deep care that goes into preparing and serving each item. Eating a Thali is a communal, nurturing act, and every bite reminds me of my roots and the love that ties generations together.

During my clinical practice, I realized how deeply patients’ sense of dignity and comfort can be uplifted by honoring their traditional foods and rituals. For many immigrant and Indigenous families, food is not just nutrition, it is a source of identity, pride, and healing. Bringing culturally familiar meals like the Maharaja Thali into care settings, when possible, nourishes both the body and spirit. This artifact reminds me that respecting a patient’s culture in even the simplest ways like sharing a beloved dish can be a powerful act of inclusion and holistic care.

The video highlights how Indigenous communities draw on spiritual and traditional practices, like talking circles, drumming, land-based healing, and the guidance of Elders, as essential sources of strength and wellness.

Learning about these practices made me more aware that healing goes far beyond the physical body. Spiritual and cultural rituals are deeply woven into how many people make sense of illness, suffering, and recovery. This looks different across cultures, but what connects them all is the importance of being open, accepting, and integrating these traditions with modern medicine.

Through the lens of relational inquiry, I now see that truly holistic and person-centred care means recognizing and making space for what matters most to each patient, whether it’s Indigenous healing practices, prayer, meditation, or other cultural traditions. As a future nurse, I am committed to being curious, respectful, and supportive of all healing paths, so that every person I care for feels seen, valued, and empowered in their journey.

This experience is powerfully echoed in the World Health Organization’s fact sheet on refugee and migrant mental health. The WHO highlights that migrants and refugees are at increased risk for mental health conditions, not only because of traumatic migration experiences, but also due to ongoing barriers like language, stigma, and the lack of culturally competent support. The report emphasizes that health systems must work to reduce these barriers, provide culturally responsive care, and actively support the mental health of newcomers.

This article is a reminder of the resilience and strength within immigrant communities, and why ethical, compassionate advocacy is so crucial in nursing. It motivates me to serve as a bridge for those struggling to navigate unfamiliar systems, ensuring that every patient, regardless of where they come from, feels heard, respected, and truly supported.

Sensing her concern, I asked if she spoke Hindi, a language I am fluent and comfortable with, and when she nodded, I took the time to explain everything in Hindi. I described the newborn screening process, answered her questions, and reassured her about each step. Instantly, I saw the relief and gratitude on her face. She finally felt included, respected, and less anxious about her daughter and new grandchild.

This experience brought home to me how easy it is for patients and families to be left out of important conversations, not because they don’t care, but because the system often isn’t set up for their needs. As a nursing student committed to ethical care, I learned that advocacy is not just about speaking for others, it’s about noticing who isn’t being heard, taking time to connect, and using whatever tools I have, like shared language, to bridge the gap.

Relational inquiry guided me to listen more deeply, recognize unspoken fears, and create a space where questions were welcome. To me, this is captured beautifully by the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water”, by Simon & Garfunkel. The lyrics, “I’m on your side… like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down,” echo what I hope to do for every patient and family, be a bridge in moments of fear, confusion, and vulnerability.

This artifact is a reminder that advocacy and relational practice are essential in nursing. Like the song, I strive to meet people where they are and help them cross difficult moments, so that no one is left behind simply because of language or cultural difference.

I chose to create this artifact because, as a nurse, I have seen firsthand how easily patients, especially immigrants, can feel lost or powerless within the healthcare system. Advocacy, to me, begins with empowerment: when patients know their rights and feel supported in their language and culture, they are more likely to ask questions, participate in their care, and advocate for themselves and their families. Making these rights visible and accessible is one small but important way to reduce inequities and promote ethical, person-centred care.

Relational inquiry reminds me that ethical nursing isn’t just about following procedures, it’s about building true partnerships with every patient. By offering this Patient Bill of Rights in multiple languages, I hope to help create a more inclusive, just, and welcoming healthcare environment, one where every patient knows they are valued, protected, and heard.