'Support the nurses in your life - it’s not easy out here'

'I’m Mandy, a recent nursing graduate at the University of Calgary. My current population is paediatrics, as I love the family-centered care aspect of what I do. 

If you asked Grade 3 me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would confidently tell you I wanted to be a doctor for kids. As a child, something about helping my friends and other kids feel better was something I knew that I wanted to do. In high school, I started exploring options regarding medical school. I ultimately chose nursing because I wanted the one-to-one patient interaction that bedside nursing would give me.

I have volunteered with various youth groups since I was 10, either through church ministries or acting as summer camp counsellor. I remained active in that volunteer role until the pandemic hit.

I believe that this ability to build rapport quickly and easily with children helps me to excel in my population.

Fast-forward to lots of late-night studying, tears and triumphs, and my weight in lattes and I have a degree in nursing and a career at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. I wish I could write a letter to Grade 3 me and tell her we did it!

Graduating and starting work at the beginning of the pandemic was not easy. But I kept busy, occasionally redeploying to areas like entrance screening or vaccine immunization to support staff and families. I hope to continue working in paediatrics and eventually work in a family medical clinic as well. Support the nurses in your life - it’s not easy out here!'