WHAT BLOOD?
Blood gushed from her father’s finger as he rushed inside from cutting the lawn. A small piece of rope was stuck in the lawnmower, and he tried to retrieve it slashing his finger. He screamed, “Theola, please help with my finger, isn’t this your job.” Mr. Griffith was a typical Caribbean- Jamaican who believed that if his child wanted to be a nurse then any circumstances around the house involving illness or injury, she would be the first person to help. At this moment when she began to put the bandage on his thumb, Theola Spencer knew that she would be a Nurse.
She was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica in a region known as Manchester. Many islanders refer to this region as the cool area due to the many mountains found in that part of the Island. She knew taking on this career would afford her endless possibilities. Growing up as a child, she never liked the idea of seeing or touching blood, but that very day as she stared at the blood on her father’s thumb, her fear seemed to disappear, and she was rather elated to help. In her mind, she kept saying, “What Blood”? Little did she know that this one small moment held the key to her future and possibly a career she would work in for the rest of her life.
Theola is a 28-year-old Registered Nurse in Canada. She migrated from Jamaica after her husband decided to study abroad in Canada. She did not know what to expect given the fact that she had spent all her life on the small island. Moreover, she had studied Nursing at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica. She had not as much as a clue if her degree would be valid in Canada. Theola’s inspiration to study Nursing did not only stem from her father’s value for her passion but also her mother’s genuine and caring personality towards people in her community. She always admired her mother’s care, love, and kindness to everyone around her.
ADVICE
"Nursing is a very wide scope profession, it’s important to find which area works for you.
If working in an emergency setting or a faster-paced environment works for your friend, do not feel belittled that you are not " Nurse" enough because you chose to work in a long-term care facility.
It's your job now, you want to feel comfortable in an area that suits you and your personality."
MEMORABLE MOMENT
In Theola’s words, “when I gave clients who were abandoned by families a good bed bath and offered clothing and toiletries. It was small at the time, but I remember how appreciative they were for the services that they received."
TIRED , BUT NOT GIVING UP!
Theola has been through a lot since transitioning to Canada as a new graduate. She said that “The feeling of wanting to have a comfortable life, one that I can help my family as well. It can become tiresome, but the excitement comes from feeling fulfilled that you did your best to make someone’s life better. You have to genuinely love this profession, not for money or the the title, but the willingness to be compassionate to individuals who require our help.”
Theola believes that working as a Nurse over the past four years has helped her develop skills such as effective communication, assertiveness, and humility.
INTERNATIONAL NURSING
Life for Theola in Nursing was no easy task. There are many times she felt as if she wanted to give up. The move to Canada had taken a toll on her and she missed her friends and family so much. It was a sacrifice to be in the same country as her husband, but it was a difficult one. Upon arriving in Canada, she decided to begin her job search immediately. It was the not an easy experience for her.
To be a Registered Nurse in Canada, one must show their documents (degree/clinical hours completed in Jamaica). Theola had all this information but each time she received the document from the island, her name was spelled incorrectly.
Can you believe that this event happened on two occasions?
At this given moment, she was ready to give up, pack her bags and go back home, frustration seemed to kick in faster than anything she had experienced in her life. She eventually got her documents after much toil and labor and her job search started. This event is where her second hurdle began as she had little to no experience in her field. She was a new graduate. This was her first job as a young professional and the license she was issued to work was valid for only a year and she would need to reapply after the year ended.
This was due to the strict policies of migrating from Jamaica to Canada where Nursing is a highly reputable field. But she was a true believer that good things come to those who wait. She did many interviews, and waited patiently. She landed a job in a Geriatric Nursing Facility called Capital Care in Edmonton, Alberta.
Favorite Nursing Course: Geriatric Nursing
Challenges: Transitioning in Canada as a Nurse is difficult for me as an internationally educated Registered Nurse. The thought of wanting to upgrade is quite expensive, especially having preexisting student loans from college in the Caribbean.
Monday Blues: Waking up on a Monday to go to work instead of the class feels like the end of the world at times. My tired body often screams, ‘5 minutes more, which at times turns into an hour.’ At that moment, I am grateful for my alarm clock. Being an adult is harder than my college days. At times, I pick up non-stop shifts, and I get very exhausted. And unlike college, it is always hard to find associates you can relate to because the work-life is different. In most cases, you don’t make friends or build relationships at work. It’s work and then home!
But now I have bills and moreover, this is my passion so I must work.
Did you know: These are the top 5 nursing schools in Canada.
University of Toronto
McMaster University
McGill University
University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
https://www.universitymagazine.ca/the-best-nursing-schools-in-canada-2019/
