It’s never too late

For as long as she can remember, Anne was inspired by her parents, who immigrated from England and refused to be defined by their disabilities. Her father was born with congenitally deformed hips and a club foot, and her mother had polio as a child and spent many of her formative years in a wheelchair. “They have been my rock growing up,” Anne says. And while their disabilities did not limit nor define them, she recognized the importance of care.

Being in a hospital environment became normalized for Anne at an early age. At 16, she was suctioning her mother’s tracheostomy, and she continued caring for her mother, even after becoming a mother herself, sometimes with her baby on her hip.

A Short Detour

Since high school, Anne knew she wanted to pursue a career in nursing and had completed all her prerequisites. However, a four-year waitlist to become a Registered Nurse (RN) held her back. She pivoted and chose a different healthcare career, first as a Dental Hygienist, and then as an Audiometric Technician.

After her divorce in 2008, Anne sought a stable career and a program that would fit her schedule as a single mom. She chose to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). In much less time than an RN program, she was able to begin the nursing career she had always wanted. Anne worked bedside for more than 15 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse, until she felt she was ready for more.

Finding Her True Calling

While working at a long-term care residence, Anne was inspired by many Registered Psychiatric Nursing grads from Stenberg College. She admired how calm, genuine, personable and approachable they were. She realized that Psychiatric Nursing was her calling and would be the next step in her career.

I want to know why we do what we do. I am passionate about addictions and the trauma that often accompanies it.

Many reasons drew Anne to mental health. “I want to know why we do what we do. I am passionate about addictions and the trauma that often accompanies it.” She researched and enrolled in Stenberg College’s online Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing (RDPN). “I chose Psychiatric Nursing because I wanted to do more for my patients. I wanted to learn about the medications, their side effects, and how they work in the body, as well as what the patient is experiencing.”

I chose Psychiatric Nursing because I wanted to do more for my patients. I wanted to learn about the medications, their side effects, and how they work in the body, as well as what the patient is experiencing.

In the Program

Given the online nature of the program, Anne was able to create a routine that allowed her to balance full-time schoolwork with her work as an LPN. Anne excelled and graduated with a 90% grade point average. Her hard work was acknowledged by Sasha Rourke, Program Director in the RDPN program: “Anne is a mature student and entered from the LPN profession, bridging to an RPN career. She was always an engaged and collaborative learner. Her demeanour and professionalism were always evident. She was curious and a leader to her peers.”

Bianca Fanslau, Clinical Instructor and Monitor, adds, “Anne recognizes the importance of ensuring one’s inherent worth, respect for autonomy and dignity, as well as right of choice. I have absolute confidence that Anne will uphold the values and standards of the profession of Psychiatric Nursing.”

Looking Ahead

Today, at 56, Anne is an RPN at Dufferin Longterm Care Residential, doing what she loves. She hopes to continue the same patient-centred care that brought her here. “I want to be an advocate in my patients’ corner, a sort of ‘cheerleader. ‘ I want to provide understanding and support. I should have done this 20 years ago. I’m so much happier. It’s combining all my interests, skills and abilities.” When a new resident said, “I don’t belong here. I don’t have anything in common with these people, and pulled a blanket over their head, I didn’t push. I came back at lunch and said, ‘After you eat, do you want to walk with me down the hall?’ They did. It felt good,” Anne says with a smile. Sometimes care can be that simple.

This is the right career for me. I am able to assist and hopefully help my patients feel good about themselves. I am excited to go to work every day, learn, and thrive in a career that fills my cup.

As for what comes next, Anne plans to continue growing in her profession by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “I want to know more about psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and bipolar, as well as learning more about nature versus nurture,” she says. Most of all, Anne wants to keep doing what she does best: being in her patients’ corner, helping them feel seen and making the room a gentler space. “This is the right career for me. I am able to assist and hopefully help my patients feel good about themselves. I am excited to go to work every day, learn, and thrive in a career that fills my cup.”

No one chooses mental illness. If it touches your life or the life of someone you love, you’d want Anne in your corner. It’s never too late to find your calling. ❉