Transforming Loss into Triumph – Using COVID for Good.

After a lifetime of supporting her beautiful family and enjoying many years of happiness, in 2018 Suzanne’s world fell apart. Her husband became ill, and she dedicated herself to his care until he passed. Heartbroken and feeling lost, Suzanne knew she had to find a way to go on. “For 25 years, I was a stay-at-home mom, and I thought, “I have to do something, and pick my life back up”.

In caring for her husband, she discovered a passion for seeing someone through that delicate last stage of life and felt she wanted to explore a career in palliative care. Suzanne had graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1986 in Germany, but in beginning her family, put that career on hold. Now she could use her life experience, both the skills and the challenges that she’d faced and overcome, to help others.

At 54 years of age, the idea of starting her Registered Nursing career over again exhausted Suzanne. “I didn’t want something that would take a couple of years to achieve. I needed something for the moment, that I could begin right now,” she explained. A career path requiring empathy and a true passion for helping and caring for others, Personal Support Worker seemed the perfect fit for Suzanne.

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Just feeling out the opportunities that lay in the medical field and exploring her options, one day as she went for a blood test and told the Medical Laboratory Technician, “I may be interested in doing a course to become a lab technician. That sounds really interesting and easy to do at my age.” She asked where this MLAT worker had received her diploma, and this was Suzanne’s introduction to Anderson College.

Not long after she met with Lisa, one of our Admissions Advisors. She shared her story and let her know about the two programs she was considering. After hearing about Suzanne’s background and her experience caring for her husband, Lisa saw that the Personal Support Worker program was going to be an ideal choice. Suzanne took the entrance exam that day, passed, and enrolled to start the following week.

Suzanne was concerned about going back to school at her age. Not only had she always disliked studying, but her initial schooling had been done at home in Germany in her first language. This was an entirely different experience. And yet, she was determined. She began and the lessons and tests, actually, went well. Her instructor Miss Agnes played a key role in her positive learning experience. “Miss Agnes was always available, and I could reach out to her by text message. She was very open and helped with whatever was needed,” said Suzanne.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit Canada and Suzanne was unable to complete her placement as all the long-term care facilities were not accepting students. Staying home and not being able to help was an impossible thought for her, so she decided to reach out to the Ontario PSW Association (OPSWA) to see if there was something she could do. They replied that even as a student she could apply for several positions where help was needed. She had several job interviews and was hired at a facility near her home where she worked as a Personal Care Aide.

Suzanne worked hard and was able to count the hours she logged toward her placement requirements. She wrote her exams, passed with flying colours and graduated! “For me, COVID-19 has actually been very positive in getting my foot in the door,” Suzanne added.

Her advice to future Personal Support Workers? “Before you start the program, go deep into yourself and really think about whether you would make a good PSW, and whether you really have what it takes to do it. Providing quality care to those in need is essential.”

Interested in starting your Personal Support Worker career or exploring one of our other 29 leading-edge programs? Book an express appointment with an Admissions Advisor today!