Nursing Students' Voices
At the heart of nursing is the power of human connection and every nursing student has a unique story to tell. Nursing Students; Voices is a space where your experiences, reflections, and insights take center stage.
Whether in the classroom, on the clinical floor, or in your personal life—your journey as a nursing student matters. We invite you to share a written reflection on a meaningful experience that has shaped your understanding of nursing, patient care, or the healthcare system. This platform is your space to contribute to the national conversation, amplify your voice, and connect with fellow students through thoughtful written expression.
““Our voices as nursing students matter,not just in classrooms or clinicals, but in shaping the future of care. Speak up, share boldly, and let your experience be the story that inspires change.”
1st Edition - Witness, Reflect, Become
Justine Salvante
MacEwan Nursing
In my second year of nursing school, I experienced a loss that reshaped my understanding of patient care and what it means to show up as a nurse. The family member who raised me passed away suddenly. I was in the middle of classes when I heard the news, and though grief threatened to derail everything, I kept going… I studied through tears, showed up to labs, classes, and clinical shifts with a heavy heart, and tried to be present for my patients when I barely felt present for myself. I learned then that resilience in nursing isn’t about never feeling pain – it’s about learning to carry it while still caring for others.
That experience taught me that grief walks into our lives every day, in different ways. And still, the work must go on. I began to understand patient care not as just a set of tasks, but as a deeply human exchange. It’s in those quiet moments when you sit at a bedside, when you advocate for pain control that might ease someone’s last hours, or when you pause to truly listen. My loss gave me empathy I could never have learned from a textbook.
Fast forward to my final year – my last preceptorship. I was almost at the finish line, having completed the vast majority of my clinical hours. Then life shifted again. I had to make the gut-wrenching decision to withdraw during the final two weeks. It felt like failure, like everything I had pushed through was unraveling. But I had learned this before: we cannot pour from an empty cup. Stepping away wasn’t quitting – it was self-preservation. It was choosing to heal in order to return stronger, with the same compassion I strive to offer my patients.
Both of these moments – grieving while studying and stepping back near the finish line – taught me that being a nurse means knowing your limits, embracing vulnerability, and honouring the human side of care, including my own.
As I look ahead, I want to be a nurse who makes space for people to be whole. I want to advocate for those whose voices are often quieted by illness, systems, or circumstance. And I want to remind others, especially students and new nurses, that strength isn’t in never stumbling; it’s in how we rise when we do.
Gunpreet Kaur
MacEwan Nursing
As a first-year nursing student who has just completed my first semester, focusing solely on theory, I’ve begun to see how nursing is more than just skills and procedures. Although I haven’t started my clinical rotations (which will begin in the fall), I’ve had moments of reflection that have shaped how I view nursing.
During my studies, I’ve understood that nursing is as much about advocacy and empathy as it is about clinical tasks. I’ve learned that patient care involves truly seeing each person as an individual with their own story and needs. That communication is key to ensuring that patients feel heard and respected.
As I start clinicals in the fall, I’m committed to carrying these lessons. I hope to become a nurse who builds trust and confidence with my patients and can advocate for their needs when they feel vulnerable or unsure.
This spring/summer season, I’m focusing on growing my understanding of patient-centred care and preparing myself to be the best support I can be for the people I’ll care for. I’m excited for the journey ahead and to continue learning and growing into a nursing professional who can make a meaningful difference.
