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As part of her program, Shauna LaDouceur, alongside other Honours
Bachelor of Science – Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Dental Hygiene
students, helped provide life-changing health care to the less fortunate
in the rural areas of the Dominican Republic.
40 GEORGIANVIEW SPRING 2023
CAREER PIvOTS: ALUMNI STORIES
"I was one of those 20-year-olds," laughs Shauna
LaDouceur. "I wanted to be a part of something bigger,
but wasn't sure where I fit. Georgian offered the
opportunity to develop real-world skills that had a direct
impact and supported the health-care network, twice."
Growing up in Tiny Township, Shauna always had a foot
in local health care. Beginning her medical career by
volunteering at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care,
she found a calling in helping others. She enrolled in
Georgian's Office Administration – Medical program.
At that time, the program didn't include a co-op
placement, so Shauna created one for herself at
Waypoint. Her initiative and volunteering snowballed
into a summer student position and grew with her.
When she graduated in 2006 from Georgian, her job
blossomed into a full-time career for the next 13 years.
Shauna built a life in her community, including a family,
a home, and a career; but after that much time in
medical records, she wanted more.
"I studied my options in terms of where I wanted my life
to go for a more hands-on career. This field (medicine)
means the world to me. With a family, I needed
education that would give me experience, but also had
to be accessible − local, commutable, and flexible."
Georgian offered the ideal opportunity for someone
returning to education after more than a decade in the
workforce. Shauna enrolled in the Practical Nursing
program, graduating in 2019, and beginning her new
and rewarding career as a nurse.
Looking back on her pivot from cataloguing charts
to writing them, Shauna is grateful and proud of the
support, access, opportunities, and luck she has had.
"Georgian felt like coming home, both times," exclaimed
Shauna. "Seeing the same people every day created
Alumna swaps
pencils for penicillin
Career pivot rewards the brave
an instant welcoming experience. When I went back to
do clinicals, I found it was the same environment many
years on. While the school had grown a lot, it was the
same family feeling as if you were home. Georgian
made going back to school a welcoming and enjoyable
experience. If you are considering it, or a career in
medicine, do not hesitate."
