Following the path to nursing

Local Journalism Initiative
·4 min read

Grachel D’Cunha is thoroughly enjoying following in her mother’s footsteps and pursuing life in the medical profession.

D’Cunha, 25, finished middle school and high school in Rankin Inlet after she and family moved to Rankin when she was just 10 years of age.

She said one thing she always enjoyed about life in Rankin Inlet was having so many opportunities that may not have been as accessible to her if she had lived in the city.

“I was able to, for example, go to so many science fairs and science camps, as well as joining the cadet program,” said D’Cunha.

“I received a lot of opportunity to travel and try new experiences and stuff, so I was always grateful for that.”

D’Cunha said her inspiration for wanting to become a nurse came from years of watching her mom work as a nurse in Rankin Inlet and all the people she helped in that role.

She said her mom was like a hero to her as she was growing up.

“I think my mom has been a hero and inspiration to a lot of the people who were her patients in Rankin,” said D’Cunha.

“I’m just hoping to be a fraction of the amazing nurse she is. So, yeah, that’s kind of the reason I decided to get into nursing and what inspired me to do it.”

D’Cunha said after finishing high school, she moved to Winnipeg and began her undergrad work at the University of Manitoba at the age of 17.

She said that experience immediately convinced her that a career in nursing was for her, so she started nursing school the following year at the age of 18.

“I was able to graduate from nursing school when I was 21. Because nursing was always at the back of my mind, I was able to get right into it as soon as I finished one year of the prerequisites for nursing.

“I worked in Thompson for about two-and-one-half-years after nursing school, and then I actually worked in Rankin for about six months, on and off.

“I loved my time working as a community health nurse in Rankin, especially growing-up there and coming back. It was actually always something I was interested in, so it was wonderful being able to make it happen. Seeing everyone I grew-up with was very nice.”

D’Cunha said she’s totally confident that she’s found her true calling in life.

She said she loves it so much, that she’s currently doing her nurse/practitioner studies.

“I’m technically doing my master’s full time at the University of Alberta, although I’m still living in Winnipeg.

“As a nurse, you see people at the worst point in their lives during sickness, as well as families going through some of the hardest times in their lives.

“Just knowing I can make even a fraction of a difference — holding their hand during a difficult procedure or giving them medication to help them feel better — really feels good helping out like that.

“I think that part of it is something that really stood out to me.”

D’Cunha said if she was ever approached by a young person seeking advice on whether to pursue a career in nursing, she would advise them to do so.

She said you can always judge your opportunities doing shifts or shadow shifts at the hospitals or the heath centre, and be able to see if this is the kind of environment you want to work in.

“And, also, just talking to other people already in the profession to see what it actually entails and what kind of things would be of interest to you.

“That’s what I’d recommend, just trying it out and taking advantage of volunteer opportunities.

“It can be really exhausting emotionally, as well, and seeing all the stuff that happens can be distressing to some people.

“So you have to make sure that this is something you really want to do because it can take a toll on you, physically and emotionally. But, as long as you’re really passionate about it, it doesn’t feel like it’s really taking that toll on you at all.”

Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News

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