University of Ottawa nursing students proudly hold a certificate acknowledging their membership in the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) at the CNSA’s National Conference in Halifax in January, attended by ONA.
Nursing students are the next generation of the profession and the future of our union.
Get to know them by hearing from some of the most recent recipients of the ONA and CFNU Scholarships, available to first-time students enrolled in accredited Canadian Nursing Students’ Association-affiliated nursing education programs or other regulated health professional programs in Ontario who are immediate family members of ONA members with entitlements.
In this second part of the series, we ask the students what they’ve learned from their ONA family member.
Nursing has always been a huge part of my life – my mom and sister-in-law are both nurses. Watching them dedicate themselves to their patients, even on the hardest days, showed me what it truly means to be a nurse. Their compassion, strength and resilience inspired me to follow in their footsteps, and now, I can’t imagine doing anything else. They have shown me that nursing isn’t just about bedside care, it’s about advocating for safe work environments, fair wages, and policies that support high-quality patient care. Their experiences have shaped my understanding of what it means to be a strong, engaged nurse.
My goal as a nurse is to work in a dynamic clinical environment where I can collaborate with an interprofessional health-care team to deliver critical interventions. Drawing from my decade-long military career, I bring leadership experience, the ability to manage complex and dynamic situations, and the capacity to make calm, competent decisions under pressure. I’m eager to apply these skills in health care, ensuring patients receive high-quality care while contributing to a strong, coordinated team.
My mother is an ONA member and has been a nurse for many years. She is a courageous and caring individual who has a passion for nursing. Growing up, I was inspired by her dedication, which led me to choose nursing as my own path. One of the significant lessons I have learned from her is the importance of empathy in nursing. She always emphasized putting ourselves in the patient’s shoes. Patients are already in a vulnerable position, especially when hospitalized, and approaching care with empathy helps nurses provide better support.
I have huge respect for nurses. I grew up seeing my mom as an empathetic, compassionate, and committed nurse who always ensured that the needs of her patients came first. I have learned that resilience is essential for this career, as working in health care often means dealing with difficult situations. I have seen my mom approach each challenge with determination and calm, which motivated me to pursue nursing. She taught me that persevering through adversity is essential for quality patient care.
This story is the second of a three-part series, read the final part.
As a nurse and health-care professional, no one knows better than you what it’s really like to work in terrible conditions. Long hours. Low pay. Disrespect. Sometimes you do form genuine connections and see the difference you make, but that can feel harder to come by when your value is constantly overlooked.
Your reality is tough, but then again so are you.
Stories from the Streets is a chance to tell your story and hear your fellow members tell theirs about what life is like:
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