Mediaplanet spoke with Barbara Olas, a registered nurse at Halton Healthcare, about deciding whether a career in the health care sector is right for you.
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When did you know that you wanted to become a part of the health care sector?
I knew I wanted to work in health care around grade 10. I started getting excited by science, specifically medically-related science. I was extremely intrigued by any medical show I saw on TV. The human body was so fascinating to me — everything works so perfectly somehow, from creating human life to bones healing after being broken. My passion for medicine turned into a love for nursing specifically when I started working as a personal care attendant for Mario Vella in London, ON, during my last year at Western University. The relationship I built while working so closely with a patient was incredible. Being able to put a smile on someone’s face because of my compassionate care in addition to my genuine interest in medicine was an automatic “apply to nursing school” sign.
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What kind of advice can you give to those striving to pursue a rewarding career in the health care sector?
Remind yourself that the individuals you’re working with are going through some of their lowest moments in life. If you can do anything — big or small — to put a smile on their face, please do so. Listen to their story, remain diligent with your care, clarify when questions come up, and treat them as you would your family.
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How did you know that a career in health care was the right choice for you?
Easy — the feeling of collaborating with a team to bring an individual back to a happy and healthy state is like no other. Nothing felt more right than my choice to work in such a fulfilling career.