I started my career as a bedside nurse in 1999 on the surgical floor at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH). In 2007, I was sponsored to become a perinatal nurse through the specialty nursing education program. At the height of the pandemic, I stepped into a leadership role as a patient care coordinator. I was then given the opportunity to be an interim clinical nurse educator (CNE) on the Family Birthing Unit (FBU) at Surrey Memorial Hospital about a year later. Being part of the CNE team was an eye-opening and rewarding experience for me. It gave me the chance to be part of the change that happens within the unit. I took the opportunity to enroll myself in quality improvement courses where I gained the knowledge and tools to review areas in the FBU where quality improvements were necessary. I took an interim position as the program coordinator and am now in a permanent position on the FBU at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Fraser Health has given me the opportunity to grow both in my personal and professional life. The FBU is where my heart is. I love the working relationships, the diversity of the team and meeting new and eager staff with different cultures and life experiences. There have been so many accomplishments within the team, however I am most proud of the time and effort each person brings. They show up with different perspectives and overall experiences to the unit, with the shared common goal of providing safe, high-quality patient care. Everyone has a voice to share their opinion and feedback or ask questions. We work as a team, and every day we celebrate each other in any way we can.

Some of the things that motivate me are the people I get to work with. We have a great leadership team that supports us and attends regular workshops to improve our leadership styles. Fraser Health offers flexible work options, and you can accumulate great vacation time.

There are so many different avenues of nursing and paths to take once employed at Fraser Health. Being a registered nurse, there are lots of opportunities for growth, depending on what your interest is.

I grew up and was raised in the Fleetwood neighbourhood in Surrey. Outside of work, I enjoy going for walks with my family and dinner with friends. I have always felt safe within this community, and I love the diversity of people in this region. I am an avid reader, and my passion for reading has inspired me to write and publish novels on a reading platform.