Each month we are lucky enough to catch up to one of our busy team members for a quick chat so we can get to know them better. This week Brittany shared her story of moving from an RPN to an RN which we’re sure you’ll find interesting and inspirational. Enjoy getting to know Brittany!

How long have you been at Winterberry?
I have been with Winterberry since January of 2022, initially with the Clinic team and then transitioning to our Research team in December 2023.

You have recently transitioned from RPN to RN. Congratulations! What inspired you to take that next step? 
I have always been someone who enjoys a classroom and learning environment, so going back to school was always going to be an inevitable adventure for me. What really made me want to further my nursing career stems back to the height of COVID and the impact that healthcare workers, especially nurses, had on the community. I was working in the hospital at that time, and being able to witness the level of skill and knowledge that the nurses I worked with had was incredible. It was inspiring.

What did the process look like for you to move from RPN to RN?
I completed my bridging program through McMaster University. The program is three years long and consisted of a variety of courses ranging from Indigenous Health to Healthcare Research. The last year of the program focuses on clinical placement, which was a full-time schedule. I was fortunate to have really great preceptors to learn from who supported me and pushed me to apply my knowledge and skills.

The overall experience was challenging at the start. Being in school full time while balancing work was very difficult. Fortunately, I was given a lot of grace and flexibility with my schedule here to pursue the degree. My coworkers were incredibly supportive throughout my schooling.

What does becoming an RN mean to you personally and professionally?
It is incredibly rewarding in both realms. From both perspectives, it is the culmination of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that paid off in the end. Being a nurse means being a lifelong learner.

When you are not at Winterberry helping patients, what will we find you doing?
My favourite hobby is definitely Dragonboat racing. I started in the summer of 2023 on a charity team and have been racing recreationally ever since. This year will be my first competitive season, where we will compete in four tournaments across Ontario.