With so many options available to her, Kaleigh Keeping started NC’s Practical Nursing program unsure of the kind of work setting she’d most enjoy following graduation.
But thanks to four co-op placements that allowed her to apply all she’d learned inside the classroom to different clinical settings, Keeping was drawn to nursing in a hospital environment.
Now, Keeping says, she’s ready to embark on her nursing career because of the extensive coursework, hands-on lab experience, and clinical placement opportunities she received at NC. And as this year’s Dean’s Award winner for the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker, Keeping has proven she’s committed to excelling in the profession.
We take a look back at her time at NC and share in Keeping’s excitement of graduating with honours.
Kaleigh Keeping
Hometown: Fort Erie
Academic achievement: Dean’s Award winner, School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker
What led you to study at NC and to your program of study?
My caring nature has always drawn me to a career where I can make a difference in the lives of others. My compassionate personality and my love of working with people make this a perfect career choice for me. Also, my mother is a personal support worker, influencing my decision to pursue a health care career.
What were you doing before attending NC?
After high school, I took time off to figure out what I wanted to do. Nursing has always piqued my interest and ultimately, I decided this was the career I wanted to pursue. In 2019, I enrolled in the Niagara College Pre-Health Sciences program to earn the grades I needed to apply to the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker. After completing the program in April 2020, I enrolled in the Practical Nursing program in January 2021.
How do you feel about your upcoming convocation day and receiving the Dean’s Award?
I am excited because convocation day is a time for me and my classmates to celebrate hard work, determination, and achievements in advancing our careers and beginning the next chapter in our lives. I was shocked when I received an email informing me that I had received the highest grade-point average in my program. I have always tried to achieve the best grades throughout this program. Receiving the Dean’s Award is a remarkable accomplishment that fills me with pride. I surpassed my own expectations.
To what do you attribute your academic achievement?
Though school requires a lot of hard work and can be overwhelming, I never gave up. I strived to give my best effort at everything I did and learned from my mistakes to improve. Also, I am grateful to my friends in my program for keeping me motivated and on track. My motivation to succeed stems from my desire to be the best nurse I can be and my dedication to achieving my future goals.
Did you face and overcome any challenges to graduate?
My experience before attending nursing school was primarily in-person learning. Because of the pandemic, classes changed from in-person to online, and I had to be more independent and self-disciplined to remain on track. Although attending nursing school during a pandemic was quite challenging, I enjoyed being able to contribute to hard-working nurses at my placements. I had to prioritize and dedicate sufficient time to my studies while balancing work and other commitments. While I had a busy schedule, I made time for myself whenever possible, because my health and well-being were crucial to my success.
Why are you passionate about your field of study?
Nursing is a rewarding and fulfilling career. It allows me to experience new challenges and learn new things every day. As a nurse, I can pursue various career paths and I am passionate about providing care to others.
Did you do a placement or co-op as part of your program?
My nursing program included four placements: long-term care, medical-surgical, complex care and consolidation. During my placements, I practiced the skills I had learned in school in clinical settings and gained experience in different types of health care settings. In addition to my placements, I sought additional learning opportunities and obtained a job at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton as a clinical extern.
Were you involved in any clubs, teams or extracurricular activities during your time at NC?
Before the pandemic, I participated in a field study with Be World Ready at Niagara College. While visiting Guatemala with a group of allied health students, I had the opportunity to learn about the health care system and volunteered in some of the clinics there. The pandemic prevented me from doing more of these trips while I was in nursing school, but it was a truly profound experience, and I will carry it with me throughout my lifetime.
What have you been doing since you completed your studies at NC? Are you currently working or looking for a job in your field?
After completing the Practical Nursing program in November, I studied for the REx-PN exam, which I passed in February. I am currently employed at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences as a Registered Practical Nurse.
