Growing into Nursing

Tender new growth requires

the right soil

strong support and

a good dose of sunshine

My soil was 

my family and

my community

My supports were

role models and 

early life experience

The sunshine I was exposed to was

kindness

teaching

firmness

care

from the nurses in my life

Three of my role models were

our community’s public health nurse, Mrs. Allen

our family's cousin, Maxine, and,

a favourite community member, Stella

Mrs. Allen was the Public Health nurse 

for our town’s prairie region, 

delivering care and vaccinations to us all.

I’m sure she did much more than that

however at age five, and younger, I only saw

a tall, well coifed woman in a trim navy blue uniform.

Efficient and always welcomed in our home.

Maxine, a cousin who lived with us for a time.

I remember watching her prepare for work,

donning the stiff white uniform of the day,

black banded nurses cap, and sensible shoes.

She transformed from my cousin, to a nurse who had

her own car, and travelled to Regina to work.  

Further enhancing her image, and 

showing me that nurses travel with their work, and 

can be independent, taking work in Australia 

via the Queen Mary II, a grand ship on the Canard line,

coming home a year later through Egypt.

Stella, a good and kind friend of our small town,

gave people allergy shots when needed and 

was the ‘go to’ person with health questions.

These were but three women 

who showed me 

how to be a nurse,

long before I knew 

‘what I wanted to be when I grew up’.

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream,

a dream you dream together is a reality.”

- John Lennon