"My professors have done an incredible job showcasing the diversity of the nursing profession."
What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?
What attracted me to UPEI was its small campus and its nursing program’s great reputation. I'm from Mermaid, PEI and I knew that I wanted to stay on the Island for university since UPEI offers a wonderful nursing program—it was a very easy decision to choose UPEI.
What do you find unique and interesting about your program?
UPEI’s Nursing program is unique because of its small class sizes and its caring faculty and staff. Being a part of a smaller class provides the opportunity to become acquainted with classmates, approach professors, and create lasting relationships. The UPEI Nursing faculty evidently care about their students and want them to succeed. They care to learn your name and to answer questions. Additionally, another interesting aspect about UPEI’s Nursing program is its hands-on work. Often the theory behind a skill will be taught in class, you practice the skill and receive guidance from instructors in lab, then you may attempt it in clinical practice with an instructor. Having the opportunity to connect theory to hands-on, real-life experiences in one of my favourite aspects of nursing.
What kinds of support have you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and UPEI faculty members?
I have received not only academic support but also personal support from UPEI students, staff, and faculty members. It is evident that your professors and classmates want you to succeed both academically and in preparation for your future career.
"I never could’ve imagined the incredible opportunities that I have had at UPEI and all that I have learned. Throughout my four years of nursing school, my professors have done an incredible job showcasing the diversity of the nursing profession."
What opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at UPEI, or because of the Island location?
I have been fortunate enough to have clinical experiences in multiple different facilities on PEI throughout the program as well as travelling internationally for a clinical placement. I had the opportunity to travel to the Cayman Islands for a month at the end of my third year to learn about their healthcare system, their culture, and what nursing looks like in the Caribbean. This international placement taught me that although some equipment differs and their healthcare system is privatized, nursing care has the same principles regardless of location. I can confidently say that it was the most incredible experience both professionally and personally.
What's unique about UPEI, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?
Aside from its beautiful views and landscapes, what’s unique about UPEI and Prince Edward Island is their friendly communities and how easily connections are formed. It is common for Islanders to establish connections among mutuals friends or relatives, but making connections at UPEI is just as easy. Throughout my time at UPEI I have been fortunate enough to create lasting relationships with both classmates and faculty.
What would you tell a high-school student considering UPEI and the Bachelor of Nursing program?
I would encourage a high school student considering UPEI’s Bachelor of Nursing program to take the chance. When I was in high school, I knew that I was interested in the functions of the human body and that I wanted to help people. I never could’ve imagined the incredible opportunities that I have had at UPEI and all that I have learned. Throughout my four years of nursing school, my professors have done an incredible job showcasing the diversity of the nursing profession. I was unaware of the possibilities that are in store as an RN, from acute care to community nursing, travel nursing, education, management, research, and much more. Nursing will provide you with so many opportunities for employment and creating lasting relationships with classmates, co-workers, and patients.
How do you feel has UPEI prepared you for your future?
UPEI has prepared me for my future career by not only teaching me necessary theory and skills to work as a Registered Nurse, but also by teaching me valuable life lessons such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and more. With that, the extensive amount of required clinical hours aided in increasing my confidence, knowledge, and skills.
Big futures start here!
Read more about the UPEI students and amazing alumni featured in our 2026–2027 Viewbook!
Interested in UPEI? Contact our student advisement team today at apply@upei.ca.
Meet Kate VanGerven, Director of Tour and International Visits for the Prime Minister of Canada and Bachelor of Arts in English graduate (Class of 2013).
Meet Brennan McDuffee, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture student (Class of 2025).
Meet Charlize Sahely, accountant with EY's Tax Division and Bachelor of Business Administration alumna (Class of 2024).
Meet Jenna Flowers, baccalauréat en éducation—français langue seconde graduate (Class of 2025).
Meet Kallie Drummond, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Indigenous Studies minor (Class of 2026).
Meet Dr. Aleisha Murnaghan, UPEI alumna (Class of 2002), emergency medicine physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and director of medical program development with the UPEI Faculty of Medicine.
Meet Kate Doyle, Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate (Class of 2025).
Samuel graduated in 2024 with a double-major in Mathematics (Honours) and Economics.
Meet Temiloluwa “Rosetta” Shokunbi, UPEI Sustainable Design Engineering student (Class of 2026).
Meet Tsukasa Iwamoto, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student (Class of 2026).
