What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?

I chose to study at UPEI because I love the small-town historical feel of the university campus. As an Islander, I knew I wanted to complete my undergraduate degree in my home province. 

What kinds of support have you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and faculty members?

During the four years of the nursing program, I've received a lot of support from my peers. The nursing program is different than your typical degree because the courses you need are taken together as a class. In the four years of the program, you become a large family with your classmates. I have created long-lasting friendships and memories with my peers that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

All the staff at UPEI are excellent, regardless of department. I have always been able to get the assistance I needed when I needed consultation on issues regarding my student accounts. However, I will say that Student Affairs staff on the first and fifth floor of Dalton Hall have been amazing to me during my time at UPEI. 

"In the four years of the program, you become a large family with your classmates. I have created long-lasting friendships and memories with my peers that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life."

What kinds of opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at UPEI or because of the Island location?

The opportunities I have had during my time at UPEI have been phenomenal. Being the only university in the province, UPEI and the Faculty of Nursing have established many partnerships within the community. In my degree, I have practiced my nursing skills within the many hospital units across PEI, the school system, and with partners such as Special Olympics PEI. Going to a small university offers more diverse opportunities that might not be possible in a larger setting. In my final semester, I travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to finish my degree at the IWK hospital's Adolescent Intensive Unit. I could not be more excited to work in an area I have dreamed of since becoming a nursing student. 

What's unique about UPEI, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?

I love Prince Edward Island with all my heart. From the rolling hills to the beautiful beaches, it is a gorgeous place to live and work. Having the opportunity to live and go to school on an island is such a great experience. Even though Charlottetown is a city, there is such a small-town feel to the communities that encompass the area. One of the things I love most about PEI is that people continuously show random acts of kindness. In my experience, what is unique about PEI and UPEI is that people care for each other. 

What would you tell a high school student considering UPEI's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program?

Nursing is one of the fastest-changing careers in our present time. When people think of a nurse, they picture someone who works in a hospital setting; however, nursing is becoming so vast in its discipline that there are so many job possibilities when you obtain your UPEI Nursing degree. If you love caring for people and families and believe in promoting health in the community, then you should consider nursing.