For Greg D., graduating with his bachelor of science in nursing from West Coast University-Ontario marks the end of a three-and-a-half-year journey and the start of a new chapter in healthcare.
Greg’s path to nursing wasn’t traditional. Before entering the field, he worked as a supervisor at Goodwill, supporting individuals with special needs. “They really liked me. I really liked just the whole environment of caring — being of service to others,” he said. His father’s role as a surgical ICU manager and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic helped solidify his decision to pursue nursing.
When he started at West Coast University, Greg earned his certified nursing assistant license, gaining hands-on patient care experience. “Right when I started West Coast, I got my CNA license and then that’s when I was like, OK, this is what I want to do,’” he said.
For Greg, the best part of nursing is the connection with patients. “Being of service to others is the best human experience, in my opinion,” he said. “When you actually do good work and heal people… they show their gratitude, and you understand what they’re going through.”
Not every subject came easily: OB, for example, was a challenge. “I didn’t even know what a trimester was,” Greg admitted with a laugh. But rather than memorize, he focused on truly understanding the material, which paid off in the long run.
At 33, Greg values West Coast University’s accelerated pace for students looking to make a career change. “I recommend it to my co-workers all the time, especially if you’re a lot older,” he said. “Especially for the accelerated way to go.”
Balancing school and work, Greg spent two years as a CNA before taking a student nurse position, which helped him develop confidence and clinical skills. While he never wanted to quit, there were moments of doubt. “It’s going to be hard,” he said. “It was a big sacrifice on lifestyle… I had to stop hanging out with certain people, stop watching TV. Definitely a big lifestyle change.”
His advice for future nurses is straightforward: “Don’t do it for the money. The ones that don’t like nursing live more miserably. You can do this — it’s worth it.”
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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