Aliya
“Despite the fact that nurses are one of the main reasons why Canada has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, there was a huge cultural barrier I had to break down within my community regarding the profession. I’m proud of myself for recognizing the difference nursing makes on the world, and coming to a point where my motivation isn’t to prove people wrong or gain the approval of others; my motivation is that I genuinely believe in the cause.”
Aliya is 23, a Master of Nursing Student, a research and teaching assistant, an autism services program coordinator, works a retail job, and volunteers for an incredible amount of organizations and initiatives. To name a few, Aliya volunteers for: “Project Toothbrush,” an initiative that advocates for oral health in young children; Saskatoon City Hospital, where she is a client companion; Ronald McDonald House, where she helps host numerous events for families; and The Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society, where for two years she was the lead volunteer and coordinator of the annual “Light the Night” event. Outside of this she has hosted conferences, been an official delegate, and spearheaded her own event at a local women’s shelter called Women’s Pamper Night. When I asked Aliya what her proudest accomplishment is she told me, “getting accepted [to my] program and choosing to pursue the profession of nursing. I’ve always had immense passion to serve, care ,and give, and many of my values lined up with that of nursing. However, in many south east Asian communities there is a preconceived notion that demotes the significance of nursing to a substandard level that falls below other areas of the healthcare industry… Today I’m proud to be a nurse as I recognize being a nurse means compassion and patience, empathy and sensitivity. It means being there for a total stranger at all hours of the day and all hours of the night. It’s the ability to be a patient’s confidant and their advocate, all while helping keeping their loved one calm, even in the most stressful of situations. Being a nurse is a responsibility that I am truly honoured to have.” When Aliya is not doing all the above she loves being on a mountain snowboarding, collecting pictures of quirky license plates, and helping others. When I asked Aliya what her biggest challenge has been she told me, “Recognizing my self-worth. In a world where you can be anything and everything, it can be difficult to feel like you are “enough’.”
Q&A Feature:
What is your biggest hope?
“That more people find joy in the ordinary and see the glass half-full.”
What is most important to you and why?
“Helping others! It astonishes me the magnitude that small actions can have. There is absolutely no greater feeling than bringing a smile to someone’s face and aiding them in recognizing no matter what they are going through, there is someone who is looking out for them! Whether that is through nursing, companionship, or providing them with basic supplies etc, we as human beings possess immense ability to enhance the quality of life of others and that is pretty spectacular!”
