Back in 2020, I headed off for my first year of post-secondary education at the University of Western, Ontario. I was going into the Arts, naturally, as that's what I've always been good at, and what "came easily" to me. As I got there, however, I realized the passion I experienced while doing art as a hobby wasn't reflected while I studied it as a major. I figured that this was a natural reaction to turning something you love into an academic form, so I kept trying and trying to sustain this passion of mine. Unfortunately, during my time there, the experience got no better. I began researching other majors, in search of anything that gave me purpose. Somehow, my search results kept ending up being around the Sciences. The last time I'd taken a science class was in Grade 11, and I figured that idea was too far gone. Science was never something that came naturally to me, despite the fact that I loved it. Then I began reflecting on what I loved, and what gave me purpose. My thoughts kept circling around the one thing: helping people. Just for fun, for the first time in years, I researched the academic requirements for a nursing major (I had long shut this idea out as the course requirements I often dismissed as being too difficult for me). When I found out I was only lacking two Grade 12 science courses to be a nursing applicant, I was shocked. I proceeded to text my friend, who was at the time in the third year of her BScN program. I told her I was interested in the program, and she was thrilled and excited to share all about how wonderful the career is. From there, I was pretty much sold. I immediately texted my mom and told her all about my possibly new and completely different life path. At first, I approached the conversation carefully, as my parents had invested a lot of time and money into my current education. However, this fear melted away once she felt as though I was truly committed to this endeavour, and once my parents told me they'd support my passion no matter the money lost through my Arts degree. They truly just wanted me to follow my heart, even if the answers hadn't yet come the first round of university applications.

The Journey

Packing up everything I knew at Western and leaving that independence I'd gained at school was not easy. Before making my final decision, I made sure that I was truly committed to nursing, not only for my parents but for myself; I knew this commitment and passion would have to last me through four tough years of school that would work me to the bone and test every ounce of my character. Without passion, there would simply be no getting through.

After leaving, I got back home and began the online high school courses I needed to apply. It was difficult telling my friends who were well into their degrees that I was returning to high school, but realized this was an essential step in doing what I truly wanted to do.

Despite having been to university, these courses were completely out of my comfort zone and were tough. I ended up working extremely hard, always thinking of my main goal when I got discouraged. So, through endless hours of studying and many long days, I ended up getting good enough marks to receive an offer of admission to Trent's Nursing Program.

Needless to say, I was thrilled. I was reminded of how everything I'd worked for was worth it.

Looking Ahead

Now that I'm established in my program and work hard every day towards my degree, I can safely say that I am now well on my journey to becoming the person I want to be and establishing the career I've been chasing for such a long time. I have created many goals that will guide the profession I've worked so hard to achieve so far, and plan on continuing to work as hard as I can to achieve every single one of them. To take a look at some of my short-term and long-term goals of practice (and as an individual), click below: