Measuring success

Finding purpose in life can be difficult. For Munroop Bains, it took a medical crisis to discover what made her feel complete – caring for others as a Cardiology Technologist.

Figuring herself out

Growing up in Kamloops, Munroop was always at the top of her class. After graduating high school, she completed a business degree that left her feeling unfulfilled. “When I graduated, I realized I wasn’t happy. I didn’t feel the passion.” She needed a change, so she moved to Edmonton, where she could start fresh and discover what made her happy.

Sometimes we find our path in strange ways. For Munroop, it was driving herself to the hospital with a collapsed lung. After two previous lung surgeries, she knew what she was feeling and got herself help. “I was living in Edmonton feeling lost. One day, my lung collapsed. The pain was excruciating, like a heart attack. I drove myself to Grey Nuns Hospital and they took care of me.”

The kindness of a nurse changed her life forever. “I was alone in the hospital, but I had a caring and incredibly compassionate nurse. He saw how broken I was and sat by me, holding my hand. I passed out and when I woke up, he was still sitting there. He said that sometimes you need to take a few steps back in life to move forward. He was right.” Munroop decided she wanted to help people too. She just needed to figure out how.

“I proved to myself that I could do this. I love doing this.”

Finding herself. Finding community.

After moving back to Kamloops, Munroop took the first step in her search for a caring career by starting work as a Registration Clerk at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). Where she met and was inspired by her colleague, Ania, who was a Cardiology Technologist, she became curious about this career. “Ania told me about the Stenberg College program and after inquiring with Stenberg College, I knew I wanted to become a Cardiology Technologist.” Munroop knew what being a patient was like and wanted to give support to others like her as a Cardiology Technologist.

“Being a Cardiology Technologist makes me genuinely happy, I wake up with purpose everyday.”

Sparked by her blossoming passion for health care, Munroop enrolled in Stenberg College’s online Cardiology Technologist program. As always, she excelled, but more importantly she found friends that felt like family and a community of people who appreciated her. “It felt incredible to be acknowledged and recognized by my instructors. It inspired me to learn as much as I could.” The people around her could feel how right this career was for her.

Her instructor and now colleague, Yalena Bradford, the 2020 Cardiology Technologist Student of the Year says, “Munroop isn’t only a great student and colleague, she genuinely cares about her patients. She connects with them quickly, learning their stories, and shows profound empathy. She’s able to comfort critically ill patients by holding their hand and providing reassurance during their worst moments.”

Dr. Karen Chu, the Cardiologist who Munroop works with, also recognizes her talent. “Munroop is an asset to the RIH cardiology department. Her excellent care and conversation with patients help make their hospitalization better. Patients often compliment her.”

Most importantly, Munroop loves her new career as a Cardiology Technologist, which came together for her on practicum.“My first day in Emergency I had a heart attack patient coming in. My preceptor said they’d arrive in three minutes, needed a 16-lead ECG, and asked if I wanted to do it. I was scared but said yes. I went in there, did it, and gave it to the doctor. My adrenaline was so high but, I proved to myself that I could do this. I love doing this.”

“There are so many opportunities in the realm of cardiology technology. There is always more to learn.”

Found, focused, and fulfilled

Today, Munroop is fulfilled. She has found her purpose, her passion, and where she belongs. Not only is Munroop Stenberg College’s Cardiology Technologist Student of the Year, she is the recipient of the Christopher Wittig Memorial Scholarship, an award given to a Cardiology Technologist graduate who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and hard work.

As a Registered Cardiology Technologist working at Royal Inland Hospital, Munroop is an important member of the care team. “One day I got a call for an urgent ECG. The second I saw the patient, I knew he was having a heart attack. I did his ECG, which confirmed it. I couldn’t let him know, but I needed to act fast. I completed the ECG and sat with him until he was stabilized. Being part of that means everything to me.”

Measuring success is difficult. You first must define what it means. For Munroop, success used to be measured in academic achievement. Now, success is measured by helping others. “I have found my purpose, and I love doing what I do every single day. Being a Cardiology Technologist makes me genuinely happy, I wake up with purpose everyday.”