Courtney Humphrey

31/08/2012

C. Humphrey: Entrance Requirement for Stenberg College

From a young age Ive been immersed in the World of Psychiatric Nursing.
Ive seen the patient and nursing sides and their effects first hand, events which
have influenced my choice to pursue a career in Psychiatric Nursing. As it is my
dream to make a difference in the lives of others, I see a clear future in this
industry.
My story starts at the age of six, when I found myself living in a transition
house along with my mother and brother for abused and battered women. After
many years of dealing with domestic and substance abuse my mother finally
decided to leave my stepfather and make a change in her life. Without any College
education, my mother felt hopeless and was terrified at the thought of providing for
my brother and I. The employees at the transition house suggested that, given her
experience dealing with domestic abuse that woman dealing with the same issues
would be more likely to open up and take advice from her. They offered her a job
and paid for her to upgrade her credentials and become a counsellor.
After dealing with her own traumatic experiences, my mother still jumped at
the opportunity to give back and help someone else. Even at a young age I was
inspired, I knew it would be more satisfying to make a difference in someone
elses life then to do something selfish or for money, which to me would be
essentially meaningless. My mother now works at The Front Room which is a 24hour resource center for men and women dealing with addictions and mental health
conditions. Last year I volunteered at The Front Room, where I assisted in the
2012 Vancouver Homeless Count. This taught me a lot, not only on the size and
scope of Metro Vancouvers homeless population, but also how mental health and
addictions issues affect homelessness. It also opened my eyes to how many people
from many walks of life are struggling with mental health issues, and showed me
how important education and prevention is when dealing with mental health
conditions. This opportunity furthered my motivation to become a nurse and have a
positive impact on our community.
While volunteering at The Front Room, I was also given the opportunity to
work at Positive Haven, a support lounge for individuals living with HIV and
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Courtney Humphrey
31/08/2012

HCV. During my time there I met many people who expressed that out of anything
they wanted to be treated with respect and dignity. I learned how important it is to
treat others equality and without judgement which is especially important given the
diverse community we live in. This moral obligation also transcends into the role
as a Psychiatric Nurse.
Another important person in my life, my grandmother has also influenced
me to pursue a career in Health Care. My grandmother was a nurse and worked for
many years at Woodlands Hospital in New Westminster. Growing up, she always
expressed how rewarding her career was looking after children with developmental
disorders. I remember her telling me that although her job was difficult, the joy she
got from helping children who often had no family of their own was far more
gratifying to her than anything else. She also stressed the importance of being a
patient advocate for those who could not look after themselves as another role of a
Psychiatric Nurse, enacted through quality care while adhering to the Code of
Ethics and Standards of Psychiatric Nursing Practice.
Psychiatric Nurses also help promote biopsychosocial well-being in
individuals, communities and families. They also evaluate, diagnose and
implement care plans for patients. In addition, ones role as a Psychiatric Nurse
entails that of an educator; to promote psychoeducation as an important tool for
prevention of mental health issues. It is essential that staff work in conjunction
with patients and their families to increase understanding.
The values my family have instilled in me from an early age have
contributed to who I am today and have furthered my interest in pursuing a career
in Psychiatric Nursing. I feel that from my experience, both personal and practical
shows that I have what it takes to be a Psychiatric Nurse and wish to be accepted
into the fall 2012 program. I intend to play an active role in the promotion of
positive health and prevention of illness while helping others reach their long term
health goals. I believe my mother and grandmother to be positive role models for a
career in Psychiatric Nursing, having taught me about the field, its ups and downs,
and the overwhelming sense of contentment there is to gain from helping others in
need.

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