By Maggie Clark, Marketing and Communications 

In recent years, the challenge of nursing as a career has only become more difficult. From heavy workloads and overtime to environments that can easily become toxic without the right precautions, nurses have a lot to manage while also caring for their patients.  

When Nursing student Saina Yarzadeh-Dehkordi first applied to Douglas, she knew about the challenges the health-care field faced and was prepared to invest every last ounce of energy into her studies. What surprised her is how the program is determined to change the narrative.   

“The program really encourages students to think of their own health and well-being, and not just the health of others,” says Saina, who has already completed several projects that focus on key aspects of personal wellness. These include assessing mental and physical wellness, setting SMART goals for self-care and presenting solutions to common self-care obstacles. “I’ve learned how important it is to take care of yourself as a health-care provider. If you don’t, it can be dangerous when you’re responsible for taking care of others.”

That mindset opened her eyes to a new way of thinking about nurses and the patients they care for, preparing her for success in the health-care industry. 

Prioritizing empathy 

Initially, Saina was drawn to the nursing profession because it offered more opportunities to connect with patients. 

“I’ve always wanted to help people, get to know them and to be the one holding their hand through tough times,” says Saina. “At first, I thought of becoming a doctor for that experience, but due to time constraints, doctors, unfortunately, just don’t get to be as close to patients as nurses are.” 

While true, it became clear once she entered the Nursing program that the profession would focus on a broader, stronger emotional connection to everyone around her. It focuses on an empathetic view for both health-care professionals and patients, which subsequently changed how Saina perceived and interacted with everyone. 

“I’ve grown and learned so much,” says Saina. “I don’t look at people the same way now. Whether I come across an elderly person, a new mom or someone struggling with substance use, I feel for them in a way that I was never able to feel before. It’s changed the way I handle interactions. Now, I can appreciate all sides of the picture and think more critically, recognizing the shades of grey in each situation. Every individual is appreciated by someone, and they have so much to offer. I’m forever grateful to the program for broadening my horizons.” 

That perspective was further strengthened for Saina during the Nursing program’s clinical practicums. From helping a mother give birth to working at Insite, a safe injection site in downtown Vancouver, Saina has been able to connect with people from different circumstances and see their humanity. 

These situations can be difficult to weather alone, but Saina and her peers have found ways to bond more closely over these challenges, finding the space to respect the need to care for themselves despite the demands of nursing.  

“It’s hard to share your experiences with family because they don’t understand exactly what you’re going through,” says Saina. “That’s why it’s nice to have like-minded people around you who you can freely talk to about these moments and decompress with.” 

Encouraging brighter futures in nursing 

Lately, Saina has been putting her self-care, empathy and clinical skill set to good use in a paid position as an employed student nurse at Vancouver General Hospital in the Burns, Trauma and High-Acuity unit. Although her work comes with plenty of stressors, as she maintains support for adults who have severe health complications that may require surgery, Saina has found it to be fulfilling, appreciating how her skillset can help people in need of quality care.  

This experience has been rewarding enough that she aims to turn into a full-time career after she’s transferred to BCIT for high-acuity training, giving her specialized knowledge for helping people with multiple severe health challenges. 

“I feel like I have an insider perspective and a voice now that I can use to shake up the health-care system and leave a positive impact on my patients,” says Saina.

---

Interested in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Douglas College? Visit our website to learn more: douglascollege.ca/nursing