LINA NGUYEN
From Pragmatic Choice to Passionate Pursuit: My Journey into Nursing
My name is Lina Nguyen, and I’m currently 23 years old (I just turned 23 in July). Born in Toronto, Canada, I grew up in an immigrant Vietnamese household as the eldest daughter. Outside the hospital, you’ll find me reading, doing yoga or weightlifting, hanging out with friends, or exploring different countries. Since graduating and having more financial independence, I’ve developed a passion for travel. My top five next destinations, in no particular order, are Taiwan, Hawaii, Thailand, Peru, and Australia. I’m also interested in travel nursing but plan to gain more experience before diving into that aspect of the profession. I’m open to new experiences, such as paragliding in Vietnam this past May and hiking Mount Fuji in Japan last year. Upcoming adventures I’m excited about include hiking Machu Picchu, trekking to Everest Base Camp, and skydiving.
Wanting to become a nurse wasn’t a calling or something I dreamt of becoming since I was little.
Those were reasons I often heard when people would ask my nursing school colleagues why they chose nursing.
My journey began out of fear at 18 that I wouldn’t find a job after graduating university. I always knew I wanted to pursue university and earn a degree. Both of my immigrant Vietnamese parents only have high school diplomas and didn’t have the same opportunities and resources I’ve had for post-secondary education.
I applied to many science-based programs, such as life and biomedical sciences, because I’ve always loved science. I honestly listed nursing as one of my bottom choices when ranking my programs on my university application. However, when faced with the decision of what to do for four years, I chose nursing because I knew it would provide a secure and straightforward career path after graduation. I was scared of choosing a general science major, graduating, and being uncertain about job prospects or needing to pursue more education.
Even though it might sound like I chose nursing merely for stability, I came to appreciate the impact nurses have on others and their capacity to be there for people in their most vulnerable times.
Now, after being a registered general surgery nurse for a year, I have truly come to appreciate the profession and am proud to be a nurse.
The long nights, stressful times, and moments of doubt about completing the degree were all worth it for the chance to connect with others in a healthcare setting and hopefully make a positive impact on their lives.
Don’t get me wrong—shifts are long, and there are definitely hard moments that make me question if nursing was truly my best option. But at the end of each shift, even if things went wrong or it wasn’t my day,
I leave knowing I made a difference.
Nursing isn’t for everyone, but it’s perfect for those who can be there for others during their toughest times. Nurses wear many different hats—whether it’s as a caregiver, therapist, hairdresser, or IT specialist, a nurse has probably done some aspect of all these roles.
The great variability within the career and its impact on others is what makes it so rewarding. If you’re interpersonal, reliable, willing to learn and listen, and interested in healthcare, maybe nursing could be an option for you. Just be prepared for the tough and rigorous schooling. However, once you finish the degree, it’s quite rewarding on the other side.
