The desire do something about my childhood experiences is what ignited my interest in the healthcare field. Growing up in Ghana, I witnessed and experienced the difficulties that the majority of people in our part of the world face, from the high prevalence of poverty to the lack of access to healthcare facilities, as well as the high incidence of preventable diseases, among others. This sparked a desire for change and to be part of the change process, which led me to the healthcare field. It offered me the rare opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives, especially during their vulnerable moments, and I do not take that for granted. Also, the intension to utilize my ability to establish trusting relationship with family as well as people with some form of vulnerability was important to me. As a reflection in nursing practice, establishing an exemplary relationship by nurses with their abilities to see patients as persons, generate meaning for both patients and nurses, and by a duty of faithfulness (Pesut et al., 2020).
Fast-forwarding to a new chapter, there was the need to challenge myself in a different way by seizing the opportunity to study in healthcare field in Canada. I arrived during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, when the demand for healthcare workers was at peak. Safari et al., (2022) contend that “With the ongoing recruitment of international health care workers holistic approach that considers the various stages of transition is necessary to assist in establishing new identities and integrating into the destination country’s workforce”. The Canadian healthcare system was new to me, and so was my new environment. I realized I needed a humble introduction to this system, which is why I thought studying and working as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) would be a perfect starting point. I completed the program at Niagara College in October 2022 and began my journey as a Support Worker just a week after graduation.
My journey as a Personal Support Worker in long-term care further strengthened my dream of becoming a registered nurse. I learned so much through caregiving, including assisting residents with their activities of daily living and reporting their key health concerns such as signs or complaints of pain to registered staff that I worked with among others. Pain indeed has a negative impact on the health and well‐being of persons, especially those living with dementia hence it is important to systematize pain management, based on the best available evidence to prevent differences in nurse practice and to be able to provide safe, high‐quality care for persons with dementia (Minaya-Freire et al, 2021). Also, the opinion of nursing theorists Anne Boykin and Savina Schoenhofer (1993), who viewed nursing as a human connection in which the nurse and patient are both actively engaged in the healing process resonates with me. I felt a strong desire to do more, but my scope and knowledge were limited at that point.
As a results, I began my pursuit of a nursing career at Trent University in September 2024, and I was fortunate to gain admission. So far, my journey has been both exciting and challenging. I have been learning about the complex human body and its functions, understanding nursing theory, and staying in tune with current developments in healthcare, particularly in the Canadian healthcare system. Additionally, I have been studying communication and holistic care practices, all with the goal of ensuring safe nursing practice, as emphasized by the College of Nurses of Ontario (2023): “Safeguarding the masses by ensuring safe nursing practice.”
I progress through my studies, I hope to apply all the lessons I learned, both through theory and hands-on experience to build my knowledge, enhance my skills, and positively impact the lives of others.
