Bloomberg Nursing alumni share words of wisdom with the BScN Class of 2027

“Advocate for your patients.”

“Remember you are caring for human beings.”

“Embrace the process, make a lot of friends, and network.”

These are just some of the “Words of Wisdom” shared by three Bloomberg Nursing alumni – Angelina Dean, Bernadette Poku, and Orchid-Olivia James – at the Faculty’s recent panel event that welcomed the incoming BScN Class of 2027. The panel was held as part the Nursing Undergraduate Society’s (NUS) orientation.

Formerly known as Golden Notes, the Words of Wisdom program encourages nursing alumni to submit their words of encouragement, inspiration and advice to each incoming class as they begin their nursing journey. New students receive an envelope with a letter from an alumnus, and together with their new cohort, they open and read them, sparking a deeper connection to the Faculty and the incredible community of alumni.

Orchid-Olivia James (BScN 2023) was excited to be asked to participate in the panel this year. A registered nurse at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Casey House, she knew the importance of sharing her experience with new students.

“I chose to participate because representation matters. As a Black woman in nursing, I know how important it is for students to see themselves reflected in this profession and to know that they belong here. Nursing school can feel very intimidating, but hearing from those who have been through it reminds you that you’re capable of reaching your goals,” says James.

Her number one piece of advice – “embrace the challenges as part of your growth and remember self-care. Have fun and make lots of friends, they are the community that will carry you through.”

Bernadette Poku (BScN 2005), a program manager at LAMP Community Health Centre in Etobicoke, wanted to share with new students that nursing is about presence, advocacy, and compassion just as much as it is about clinical expertise.

“Sometimes as a student you can become overly focused on bedside skills and technical tasks. I wanted to remind them that you need to ground yourself, find your values and see the patient as more than a diagnosis,” says Poku.

 Her one piece of advice she describes as simple yet profound.

“Approach nursing as a journey of self-discovery. See it as an opportunity to not only to gain clinical skills, but also to better understand human behaviour and, in the process, to better understand yourself as a human being,” says Poku.

Angelina Dean (BScN 1996), an active volunteer with Bloomberg Nursing and a current public health nurse with the City of Toronto, has had a variety of experiences in nursing, from working in labour and delivery to being a part of Save TO, a program aimed at reducing gun violence in neighbourhoods. She is passionate about introducing students to the benefits of upstream prevention in public health.

“I always encourage nurses I mentor to try different things, and remind them not to limit themselves,” says Dean.

Some of her additional words of wisdom shared during the panel event aimed to address some of the unique challenges that nurses will face.

“You are going to learn so much about who you are, and it is important to remember that you are in a healing profession. It is a privilege to engage with people who are going through transitions in their lives, try to remember that when engaging with them, because it can make a world of difference,” says Dean.

Are you an alumnus looking to share your words of wisdom with our future nurses? Contact Alumni Relations Officer, Jade Shortte at jade.shortte@utoronto.ca or 416-946-7097 to learn more about the Words of Wisdom program.