Graduation Highlight: Melissa Pham, Bachelor of Nursing

Why did you choose UCN?

One of the reasons I chose to study at UCN was because of the convenience of the Thompson campus in relation to my home. I started during COVID and was able to work while going to school. The accessibility with online classes allowed this to happen. 

Did you know what you wanted to take at UCN?

I am a currently a Registered Dietitian. I have been practicing since 2007 and decided I needed a change. At the time, I was working alongside many Public Health Nurses, and I was intrigued by their work and wanted to be a nurse too. I knew that UCN offered the program as many of them have completed it.

Also, my mom is a retired nurse, and I also have aunts and a cousin who are nurses. So, it felt like a good fit as I often thought about a nursing career. I was at the tipping point in my career. Thinking if I didn’t do it then, I would never do it. I had support from my family, friends and my employer to help me pursue this goal.

How have your professors and instructors impacted your time at UCN?

I appreciated having the onsite instructors at UCN. It was great working with them hands-on in the classroom or clinical setting while developing connections. If I saw any of my instructors in the grocery store, I feel like I could have a conversation with them opposed to an instructor I had virtually. They had an impact on my career development!

What was your most memorable experience during your time at UCN?

I think right now, during my senior practicum has been my most memorable experience. I am currently in the ER, seeing patients and making connections to what I learned. It’s like a light bulb is going off for me. I feel like all the time and effort I put into learning is paying off now. I am able to take theory and put it into practice!

What is the most important lesson you have learned during your time at UCN?

I think the most important lesson that I have learned is the importance of treating patients with respect, empathy and dignity. When I genuinely show these qualities, our interactions are much better. Also, patients need nurses to advocate for them to ensure they are getting the best care possible.

What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time at UCN?

When I finished my two other degrees, school wasn’t my only priority. One of my life-long regrets was not getting on the Dean’s honour list and not achieving a degree with distinction. So, for this degree, it was my goal to get both. I am so proud of myself for having managed to do so!

When I won the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for the overall highest GPA and the Heidi Jaremy Award for leadership throughout the nursing program, I held back tears. I was so excited and proud of myself for accomplishing this while working part-time, being a mom of two, being a wife, and managing a household.

Congratulations on the awards! How does it feel?

I feel like I can’t take 100% of the credit because it wasn’t just me. I found classmates with similar study habits and goals, which helped keep me focused. Also, my family played a role. I often had to make sacrifices where we couldn’t do certain things because of my schedule, and they were always accommodating. That was a huge part of my success!  My manager also accommodated my flexible work schedule for me to do this. And lastly, my co-workers and friends cheered me on. So, I feel like it wasn’t just me who accomplished this. I had a lot of help!

What’s next for you? Tell us your hopes and plans!

I’m currently doing my senior practicum at the Thompson General Hospital Emergency Department. If all goes well, I may stay there for a while. I’m indecisive of where I want to go. In my past roles, I felt pigeonholed and had nowhere to grow. I like the fact that there are many opportunities in nursing. For now, I’m just getting through school, and then I will make decisions as I go. I do like living in the north, though. I love Thompson, so we will stay up here. Who knows, maybe I will go back to school too!

What advice would you give somebody who’s just starting out at UCN?

Short-term pain, for long-term gain! It’s tough at the beginning, but once you get to the other side, it gets so much better. So, keep going, follow your dreams, and follow your heart. Do something because you want to do it, and don’t do it because somebody else told you to do it.

Another thing that always stuck with me is when I graduated to become a dietitian. A faculty member spoke during our ceremony, and said, “If you ever get bored in your job, you need to change”. That was part of my inspiration to go back to school because I was bored, and I needed something different in my life.

Message for family, friends, and instructors.

I am thankful for the support I received from my family, friends and employer.  Like I said earlier, I really did need them all to be successful. I also wanted to say thank you to our Thompson-based instructors, Paige and Pritpal. This program wouldn’t happen without them. Also, Kellie, a big piece of the puzzle! She was very influential in our learning and kept everything going. They all deserve recognition! I am also very thankful that UCN has a nursing program. Without it, there would have been no way of me achieving this goal.