Nearly 370 students from the Faculty of Nursing will be walking across the stage this year as part of the university’s Spring Convocation ceremonies on June 17, 18 and 19 at the Winspear Centre.

We’re so proud of the more than 2,400 people who earned the privilege of walking across the stage at the university’s Spring Convocation ceremonies, including more than 300 from the Faculty of Nursing.

Here, future nurses look back on their time at MacEwan and toward their bright futures.

RAINIA LOI ABDUL
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing is such a human profession; it’s about connection, empathy and strength. I knew early on that I wanted to be a person patients could rely on – not just for care, but for comfort and understanding. I truly love that nursing is a career where growth never stops; there’s always more to learn, more ways to improve and more lives to touch.

Nursing school is tough, and you’re not meant to go through it alone. I wish I knew earlier that confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything; it means being open to learning and growing – shift by shift, class by class. I’ve learned not to be afraid to lean on my peers, clinical group and friends – they became my support system in ways I couldn’t have imagined. 

One night, after finishing our second year of clinicals in med-surg (which every nursing student knows is one of the hardest and most exhausting placements), instead of heading home to finally relax, our group decided to stop by McDonald’s. It was 9 p.m. We all sat together eating ice cream, still in our scrubs, probably looking half-asleep, but completely content. It was such a simple celebration, but it meant everything – we were a team that had made it through something incredibly challenging. 

Right now, I’m working in the emergency department, which has been an incredible learning experience. I love what I do. I’m excited to continue growing as a nurse in this fast-paced environment, gaining more skills and confidence every day. In the future, I hope to specialize further, perhaps in an intensive care unit setting. Nursing is such a broad career with countless pathways and doors that will open along the way. I’m eager to explore where it takes me. 

ANDREA ALCARAZ
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

With nursing, I’m able to combine both my passions: science and human connection, and from the first time I stood in an operating room, I knew I had made the right choice. I stood there in awe as the health-care team executed a partial lung removal. In that moment, I understood how all of these assignments and exams were going to pay off. 

I broke my clavicle the day before my first clinical placement. My instructor immediately reached out to different faculty members to explore options for me to continue on with the semester. After exhausting all options, we realized I would have to stay back. At the time, it felt like a major setback, but I was grateful for all of the efforts of the nursing faculty. I ended up meeting really incredible people in my new cohort, so everything worked out for the best. 

I am currently working on an adult amputee/orthopedic and pediatric rehabilitation unit. I had no idea I could do so much with a nursing degree until I actually sat down to look at the endless possibilities. Taking the time to research career opportunities really helped to give me a sense of purpose, especially on the tougher study days. 

Looking ahead, I can see myself exploring various specialties and opportunities. Right now, I am in the process of obtaining my New York nursing license, with the goal of practising in New York City. 

EPHRAIM GONDWE
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing is a challenging program, and going through it with a newborn, a three-year-old and a partner who was also a full-time student was not easy. We had to learn how to balance school and family life and juggle parenting responsibilities while both trying to succeed in demanding programs. 

During my first year, I actually had to withdraw from my clinical placement so I could make time to help out more with the kids. It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, but it was necessary for my family. There were moments I felt exhausted and overwhelmed from sleepless nights, assignments and family responsibilities. But being a dad gave me a deeper sense of purpose and motivation to persevere and chase my goals.

I switched into nursing after completing a business degree because I felt a stronger calling to help people in a hospital setting. It wasn’t easy. Everyone kept questioning my decision. But once I began nursing school, I knew I had made the right choice. It felt like I had finally found where I truly belonged. 

I’m excited to work with people and contribute to their journey toward better health. I’m grateful for my time at MacEwan University and excited to begin my nursing career. 

I’m truly thankful I chose MacEwan. The support I received from instructors at every stage of my education made a significant difference.

JADYN JELINSKI 
Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence

I came to MacEwan’s nursing program after two years of working on a Bachelor of Arts. I was unsure of what I wanted my future career to look like, but the one profession I always came back to – and could see myself in – was nursing. 

I loved biology in high school and have always had an interest in caring for others and working with people – nursing combines all of these elements. While science leads nursing as an evidence-based practice, what is most special about nursing to me is the ability to help patients and make a difference in their lives. 

My instructors are amazing and have had such a positive impact on my education and growth. They were supportive, encouraged me to be more assertive and taught me how to effectively prioritize. They were exemplary role models, and I will carry what I learned from them throughout my entire career.

The friendships I made were also very impactful. I am so glad I was on this journey with my fellow nursing students. 

I am forever grateful to my parents for their unwavering support – from listening to my worries and quizzing me on content to having dinner for when I come home from a clinical shift. 

After I write my licensing exam, I am taking most of this summer to enjoy some time off before starting work. I hope to start my career in acute care either in the emergency department or the intensive care unit and potentially transition to outpatient care in a few years.

SEHZPREET KAUR PADDA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing allows me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It combines knowledge, compassion and deep human connection. I am deeply passionate about advocating for patients and promoting health and well-being. 

In my first year, I also developed a strong interest in research. Thanks to the mentorship of Dr. Mary Asirifii, I received a research grant for an independent research study in my second year and, together with another nursing student, presented at Student Research Day. I also presented with two other students at the Chancellor Speaker Series on unravelling cancer care health disparities that Alberta’s Indigenous rural communities face. 

My family has been an incredible support to me. I was new to Canada, and my grandparents moved from British Columbia to Alberta so that I would not have to manage everything on my own. My mom, dad and brother have also been so supportive during my journey. 

It is essential to ask for help and follow your dreams. Do not be scared to explore different opportunities. And, believe in yourself – you can accomplish great things!

CAMRYN KAZEMIR
Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing

My passion for psychiatric nursing comes from a very personal place. During a time when someone close to me was struggling with addiction and mental health challenges, I felt completely helpless. 

That experience pushed me to want to understand more – not just about how to support others, but about how the brain works and why people struggle. I want to be someone who can make a real difference in people’s lives, especially when they feel misunderstood or alone.

I’ve truly found my passion in the field of pediatric psychiatry. Supporting children and youth through their mental health journeys has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my career so far. 

I came into the program thinking I’d just be learning how to help others – I didn’t expect to grow so much personally. It was a challenging journey that forced me to confront my own beliefs, assumptions and emotional resilience. 

I’ve learned you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference – you just have to care and be willing to keep learning.

JORDAN MEHLING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

I chose to study nursing for many reasons, but the biggest was the opportunity to be in a career that helps others. As a nurse, you have the privilege of working with people in some of their best, worst and most meaningful moments, and I feel that is something that continues to change me as a person for the better. 

Presenting at Student Research Day was a very special experience. My friends Aleena Taylor, Jadyn Jelinski, Asha Nelson and I presented a research poster for a systematic review on cannabis use in pregnancy, combining our shared interests in harm reduction and nursing research. 

Walking out of my last 12-hour night shift of my final preceptorship was a surreal moment – it made me reflect on how far I’ve come and everything the program has taught me! I’ve always felt passionate about nursing and throughout my 10-week rotation in the emergency department, I found my home. 

I’ll be starting my nursing career in the emergency department where I’m passionate about learning more about high acuity care and patient advocacy. I hope to continue to find ways to help those around me and be an advocate in my community in whatever direction that takes me.

JONAH RAMSON
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

I’ve always been attracted to health care, and nursing really seemed like the career that would allow for the greatest interaction with a wide variety of patients. I had a bit of a journey to get into nursing. I joined the military as a combat engineer straight out of high school and spent roughly four years in that role. I didn’t quite have the grades to get accepted into nursing, so I decided to pursue paramedicine. 

After I became a primary care paramedic, I still felt that nursing would be a better fit for me. It offers more stability and the opportunity to transition to so many different specialties, so I upgraded my high school courses and kept applying. 

I applied to almost every nursing program in the province, but MacEwan was the one that I was most attracted to. And I’ve had an amazing time!

I accepted a position in the pediatric intensive care unit at the Stollery Hospital almost immediately out of school, so I will hopefully be working there for many years to come. I would love to explore the possibility of further education down the road, but for now, I’m more than content to continue learning in my current role.

ASHLEY SALOMONS
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing has always been a dream of mine, but I never felt like I was smart enough to get into such a difficult program. I am a proudly Indigenous, 42-year-old married mom of three, but I didn’t even graduate from high school. The prospect of nursing school felt impossibly far. However, I knew this was something that I would be great at, and I worked very hard to achieve my goals. 

My family and I lived in Ukraine for five years, and when I knew we’d be coming back to Canada, I decided to try. I took the high school courses I needed and knew my grades wouldn’t be high enough, so I also started taking college classes to help. I was able to boost my GPA and even ended up on the dean’s list twice. 

It was always my dream to attend MacEwan. When I received my conditional acceptance, I sobbed like a baby – I was so happy. 

It took me seven and a half years to reach my dream. My husband and three kids have been my motivation every step of the way, and I couldn’t have asked for a better support system. They stepped up in big ways – bringing me food to keep me nourished, changing laundry, putting dishes away – taking care of all the household stuff so I could focus. This accomplishment is just as much theirs as it is mine. 

I am currently working in long-term care, which I absolutely love. My dream is to work at both spectrums of life: at the beginning with labour and delivery or postpartum and at the end in long-term or palliative care. 

I love being a part of a person’s story, even if it’s just a small part. There is something special about walking alongside a family during their times of greatest joy and sorrow. 

SENAIT TEKIE
Bachelor of Science in Nursing 

When I think back on my time at MacEwan, one moment stands out clearly – going into labour while writing my final exam for NURS 370. 

That moment sums up everything my journey has been about: perseverance, motherhood, resilience and the unwavering support of an incredible community. It was proof that no challenge is too great when you're driven by purpose.

Pursuing a demanding nursing program while raising a newborn wasn’t easy. There were sleepless nights, long clinical shifts and many moments of doubt. But thanks to my mother, who became my rock, I never had to press pause. She cared for my baby while I went to my clinical placements. My degree is as much hers as it is mine.

As a first-generation immigrant from Uganda with a background in nursing, getting accepted into MacEwan’s nursing program felt like the breakthrough of a lifetime – a dream that finally had a path forward in Canada. 

Today I am a proud working graduate, but my journey isn't over. I plan to pursue further education in nursing and continue giving back to the community, especially newcomers to Canada. I understand what it’s like to feel vulnerable in a new system. I want to be a voice and a comfort for those going through that experience.

To future MacEwan students, I say this: your journey will have ups and downs, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Trust your strength, lean on your community and remember – there is no “perfect” way to get through school. Just your way.