“Integrity, resilience and hard work are the perfect ingredients for achieving great things which serve as an inspiration for others.”
Anais Merat-Fournier
- Degree: Master of Nursing-Nursing Practitioner
- Grad year: 2022
- Program:
- Campus: Vancouver
My professional journey began in 2010, when I graduated in France with a Degree in Nursing. My first clinical placement as a student nurse was eye-opening, as I simply loved the complexity of nursing with its multi-faceted knowledge components. Nursing is continually evolving to meet the needs of the ever-changing healthcare system, and I find this fascinating.
Throughout the past 12 years, while embracing multicultural environments in France, the UK and Canada, I’ve developed both strong critical thinking skills and resilience as a result of working in acute medical and surgical settings including vascular medicine, ENT, maxillofacial and acute medical specialties. I have also supported the marginalized population of women, as well as immigrants and refugees, over the past four years, by volunteering in different non-profit organizations including the Vancouver Women Health Collective (VWHC), the Doula Services Association in BC (DSA), and the Immigrant Link Centre Society.
What advice would you give a student entering your degree program?
Becoming a novice in a new position while you are used to being an expert in your primary field of nursing is scary; “impostor syndrome” is real. Transitioning into the medical field while keeping your nursing philosophy is no easy task. So, be patient with yourself and trust the program. I have experienced how this program does an excellent job of preparing nurses for a new role by exposing students to a variety of resources throughout the program. Also, never underestimate the value of a solid support system during your NP studies; it is essential. So, I recommend that people considering graduate studies address all non-essential negative factors in their lives before starting the program!
What are your future plans to make a difference in our world?
I would like to aid in facilitating access to primary care for the marginalized population of women, especially immigrants and refugees. My ultimate goal is to run a primary care clinic in BC specializing in the delivery of holistic health care to newcomers to enhance a positive healthcare experience by providing culturally sensitive care, education, testing, and treatment characterized by compassion, understanding, and trust.