Students earning nursing degrees made up the majority of University of Northern British Columbia graduates at a ceremony June 3 at the REM Lee Theatre.
Nineteen people received Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees this year along with five Bachelor of Social Work graduates and four students earning certificates in General First Nations Studies.
One of the social work graduates, Rebecca Houle, also gave the class address at the ceremony.
Already employed in her field as the clinician with Northern Health's adult day program in Terrace, Houle came to UNBC through the healthcare assistant program at Coast Mountain College and her experience as a support worker for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities.
“Not only did obtaining my degree give me the knowledge and skills to become a professional social worker – from counselling techniques to social work ethics and critical thinking – but I like the person I have become after attending UNBC," said Houle.
"I have gained self-confidence in presenting, gained independence and gained more responsibility for not only myself, but for others.”
Nursing grad Khaleel Javed spoke on behalf of his fellow grads who earned their degrees by attending Coast Mountain College for the first two years and then attending UNBC for their final two years.
“I chose the UNBC Nursing program not only for its reputation of producing highly skilled nurses, but also nurses who are highly aware of socio-political factors that are informing nursing practices and healthcare systems,” says Javed.
UNBC’s commitment to community engagement and gearing our nursing education towards serving rural and underserved communities resonates with my personal values that are informing my own nursing practice.”
From Surrey, Javed is returning to the lower mainland where he will be working at the St. Paul's hospital's emergency room.