Making the most of a global pandemic

What has made your time at UBC memorable?

There are unique opportunities available to UBC graduate nursing students and I tried to take advantage of as many as possible. 

Knowing that I am interested in nursing education, I sought out two Teaching Assistant positions to gain lecturing and education experience at the undergraduate level. I also took advantage of practicum opportunities that the UBC MSN program offers for students who wish to apply their learning in the workplace. I benefitted from two practicum opportunities that paired me with local nursing leaders to implement my education outside of academia, offering invaluable experience in desired leadership roles. 

In addition to the supported experience of spearheading quality improvement projects in my own workplace, these experiences were also networking opportunities that led to future job offers and project involvement. I have maintained connections with both of my practicum mentors, who have become invaluable resources for support and connection in my career.

What advice would you give a student entering your degree program?

I pursued graduate nursing education early in my career. I was excited to further my education and maintain the academic momentum that I had developed during my BSN. Yet, I was nervous to tell my colleagues that I was pursuing further studies. Several co-workers had voiced their disapproval of ‘novice’ nurses trying to advance their careers before completing their requisite “two-years’ experience” in a medical-surgical unit, so I began my studies cautiously and quietly. But as the pandemic altered workplace routines, my studies became an invaluable asset to my team. While I had started my MSN feeling an imposter, I embodied a fully engaged MSN student/nursing leader less than a year later.

Graduate education is beneficial for all nurses of all levels of experience and backgrounds. 

As a profession, we must lift one another higher in pursuit of further education, experience, and professionalism. By doing so, we all benefit. We raise the standard of practice for our patients, our workplaces, and ourselves, while creating healthy workplace culture and reducing nurse burnout. I find myself often encouraging others to pursue additional nursing education, from nursing specialty education, to upgraded clinical skills, to graduate school, and hope that we can change the conversation about nurse ‘readiness’ for advancement. I wish I had held this confidence at the beginning of my degree, as we are all lifelong learners, and our continued learning is invaluable.