A Leap of Faith: Katelyn Decoste’s CBU Story

For 23-year-old Katelyn Decoste of Richmond County, the path to a nursing degree started during the night shift at her local rural hospital. At the time, Katelyn was working as a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) and had recently begun a Practical Nursing program. During her shift, she saw a post announcing that Cape Breton University had reopened seats in its nursing program for the upcoming September semester. Taking a chance, she submitted an application. Within weeks, she received an acceptance letter.

“I was overjoyed and excited, but at the same time I had a lot of self-doubt,” Katelyn says. “I remember asking myself, ‘Can I really do this? Am I smart enough to become a nurse?’ Looking back now, taking that chance was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made.”

Space to Grow

Working as a CCA had already shown Katelyn both the beauty and the serious importance of healthcare. She loved caring for people but wanted to expand her abilities, deepen her clinical understanding and increase her level of patient care. CBU Nursing provided Katelyn with the perfect environment for that growth, challenging her to think critically, advocate fiercely and lead with compassion.

“The instructors saw potential in me even when I doubted myself,” Katelyn says. “They pushed me through the hard days, the exams that felt impossible and the clinicals that tested my confidence.”

The defining element of Katelyn’s education was how perfectly CBU connected classroom theory to her real-world background. Every lesson seemed to perfectly echo her previous experiences as a CCA. She began to understand her patients better, focusing not only on their medical needs but also their stories, fears and resilience. In those moments, Katelyn realized she truly was becoming a nurse.

A System of Support

The journey brought its own hurdles. Katelyn had to learn how to believe in herself amidst a heavy academic workload and long clinical hours. She overcame feelings of being overwhelmed by leaning on her support system of classmates, professors, family and friends. In fact, building lasting friendships with her nursing peers became her favourite memory of her time at CBU. 

“My favourite memories from my time at CBU were the friendships I built with my nursing classmates. What started as studying and getting through clinical placements together turned into strong support systems,” Katelyn says. “We helped each other through stressful moments, celebrated successes, and grew really close along the way. Those connections became lifelong friendships that I’ll always value.”

Next Steps

Through her placements, Katelyn discovered a specific passion for Emergency Nursing. She thrives in the fast-paced environment and enjoys the immense variety that comes with each shift. Being able to think critically and help patients during their most vulnerable moments solidified her career path. As she prepares to cross the stage this May, Katelyn is thrilled to announce she has officially accepted a position as a new graduate nurse in her local Emergency Department.

“My immediate goal is to transition into practice as a new graduate nurse and continue building my confidence, clinical skills and critical thinking,” she says.

Her advice to incoming first-year nursing students who might feel overwhelmed is simple: believe in yourself.

“Take things one step at a time, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it,” Katelyn says. “Trust the process and your ability to grow. You are capable of incredible things, even on the hard days.”

Reflecting on her journey, as she prepares to cross the convocation stage, Katelyn recognizes the true magnitude of her achievement.

“The day I became a nurse wasn’t just about a title; it was the result of every lesson, every challenge and every ounce of support I received along the way.”

Congratulations to Katelyn and the entire Spring 2026 graduating class!