Debbie was experiencing a life changing moment that she had no idea it would turn into a lifelong career. At 23 weeks pregnant, she gave birth to her son, who required medical attention that kept him in the hospital for most of his first year of life. As Debbie cared for him, she became increasingly inspired by the treatment her son received. The experience made her want to give back — and a promise led her to Mohawk College’s Personal Support Worker (PSW) program, which she graduated from in 2004.
“When he left the hospital, that day [the staff] was like, ‘Promise us you’re going to go to nursing school,’” remembers Debbie. “I moved to Hamilton [from Toronto], and I was like, ‘Okay, how am I going to fulfil this promise to do something in the health care field, even if it’s not nursing school?’ So, I remember just asking around and somebody said, ‘Go to Mohawk, they have coaches that will speak to you and point you in the right direction.’”
During her meeting with a Mohawk coach, Debbie learned that while she didn’t have the requirements for entry to a nursing program, she was eligible for the PSW offering. Intending to use the experience as a steppingstone, Debbie embraced the program’s well-rounded curriculum. While she was completing long-term care and community (in-home supportive services) field placements, she began to rethink her original plan of continuing on to nursing.
“I was touched in community as to how much of a difference providing a certain level of care could help someone remain independent in their home,” she says.
With the comprehensive education Debbie was receiving, her long-term care placement employers were so impressed with her work ethic and professionalism they encouraged her to apply for part-time positions. Knowing her passion was elsewhere, Debbie held out for an opportunity that would allow her to make a positive impact in a community setting.
“I wanted to work in a team atmosphere changing lives and helping people achieve their outcomes to remain independent in their home,” she says.
Fifteen years later, Debbie is still working for her first out-of-college employer, Thrive Group — a corporation responsible for the operation of four member organizations that offer long-term care, independent living support solutions, and attendant services to seniors and individuals with a physical disability.
Having started as a personal attendant, over the years Debbie has moved through various positions. Today, she is the manager of community services. It’s a role she says has allowed her to continue to keep her promise to give back — not only to her clients but to future health care practitioners from Mohawk.
“I still keep in touch with one or two who have gone on in their field, but going through the placement had made them realize how much the sky is the limit,” she says. “Once in a while you get that student that comes and they’re like, ‘This is what I want to do’ and by the end, they’re like, ‘Having this placement made me realize I’m on track.’”
