Georgian College

GeorgianView Spring 2023

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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."

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