In 2024, over 240 Island Health Employees were awarded the Heather A. Simpson scholarship, which covers 50% of their tuition for any education upgrades within the healthcare field. To learn more about supporting education in our hospitals, click here.
Esther Jang
Scholarship Recipient, Nursing Student, Caregiver, Daughter, Sister, Human
It has always been a dream of mine to pursue a career in healthcare. As a child I knew I wanted to take care of others. That dream led me to choose a career in nursing because I know I’ll be able to help people every single day and that makes me happy.
I am currently halfway through my studies, and I have learned so much. I’ve completed two years at Camosun College, and I’ll be entering my third year this fall. I love all the practical aspects of the program. It’s challenging but also very rewarding when I get to put the skills I’ve learned into use, helping patients in the hospital.
In January, I’ll transfer to the University of Victoria where I’ll complete my studies and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Tuition is expensive, so I’m working as a student nurse throughout my studies to help pay for my schooling. During the summers, I work fulltime and then I switch to casual hours during the school year. As a student nurse, I work alongside a registered nurse and help with one or two of their patients. This gives students the opportunity to learn so much on the job. I’ve already picked up valuable skills like learning how to administer medication and assess a patient’s neurological and mobility status.
“It’s challenging but also very rewarding when I get to put the skills I’ve learned into use, helping patients in the hospital.”
When I applied for the Heather A. Simpson Scholarship I wasn’t expecting to be selected. It was a complete surprise when I received the email informing me that I was a recipient. I shared the news with my co-workers immediately, I was so excited. I called all my friends and family. My parents were so proud of me.
I truly appreciate the generosity of donors who are willing to contribute to this scholarship and help students like me with their educational expenses. This allows me to be free to focus on my schooling and the care I provide. I’m not stressed about how I will pay for my education.
That is a great gift when there are already so many stressors you feel as a heart care worker. Last year, while on my practicum I witnessed several patients receive some serious diagnoses. That’s very tough to deal with, especially when it’s people you have a connection with and have been caring for. I form a bond with my patients and it’s hard to see them go through something difficult. It has relieved a lot of my financial stress which allows me to concentrate on my schoolwork and focus on patient-centered care at work.
“It has relieved a lot of my financial stress which allows me to concentrate on my schoolwork and focus on patient-centered care at work”
I try as much as I can to separate my work and school life from my personal life. I like to run and hike and spend time outdoors to relax. I also love cooking Korean food for my family and just spending time with them.
I feel so supported by the community through this Heather A. Simpson Scholarship. In short: it will allow me to follow my dream.
The field of nursing is always changing, it’s all about life-long learning, very much like a journey. I want to learn as much as I can and become the best nurse I can be. I hope to one day work in pediatrics or the Maternity Unit here at the Victoria General Hospital, where I spent some of my practicum.
“I feel so supported by the community through this Heather A. Simpson Scholarship. In short: it will allow me to follow my dream.”
They are humans first, who put other humans first.
More than 8,900 caregivers and staff work around the clock in our Victoria Hospitals
#HumansFirst is dedicated to sharing the stories from behind our hospitals’ frontlines. These stories remind us that those who provide care and keep the lights on in our hospitals also have lives outside of them. They have family and friends, they enjoy hobbies and interests, and they have all lived through their own personal triumphs and heartbreaks. Like all of us, they are human, and they have a story to tell.
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