I am a registered nurse working in an acute care hospital, in the field of substance use and addiction. My job has a dual focus: quality improvement plus education. I have been a nurse for almost 17 years, graduating in 2006. I have grown throughout my career and had the opportunity to experience different roles and positions within this expansive profession. I have always enjoyed sharing the knowledge I have gained with others. This enjoyment quickly became a passion, leading to a career where education and knowledge transfer are at the center stage. 

Substance use and addiction care have not had a great platform in the nursing curriculum or within the healthcare setting, leaving a vast knowledge gap and many areas for improvement. There is no standard approach to developing and implementing an entire shift in culture looking to promote best practices around substance use and addiction care. Having a career that builds me up as a leader while also supporting creativity and innovation has been a professional highlight. 

You cannot work in this field alone, or advocate for change independently. This has led to some great professional partnerships with community groups and agencies, along with many links to organizations striving for the same goal: a person-centred, harm reduction approach to addiction care.