Ivana Walcott Reconnects with Family Roots Through Nursing

When Ivana Walcott chose Cape Breton University, she was looking for more than academic advancement. Enrolling in the LPN to RN Nursing Bridge Program gave her a chance to deepen her practice while reconnecting with her family roots in Glace Bay.

“I was drawn to CBU by both family and opportunity,” she says. “The bridge program was exactly what I was looking for. An efficient, well-structured way to advance my nursing education while still being able to stay connected to family.”

Originally from Calgary, Ivana valued the opportunity to spend more time with her grandmother and hear stories about her late grandfather, who was well-known throughout the community. During clinical placements, when patients or staff recognized her last name, she felt a strong connection between her nursing journey and her family’s legacy. These moments gave her a sense of personal meaning in her learning that went beyond textbooks or labs.

Her previous experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse provided Ivana with a strong foundation, but she says the bridge program has transformed the way she approaches patient care.

“As an LPN, I already had a solid foundation, but the program at CBU has allowed me to dive much deeper into understanding the ‘why’ behind patient care,” she says. “This foundation has elevated the way I approach patient care, allowing me to connect the dots fully and provide safe, effective and compassionate care with a deeper level of understanding.”

Ivana says the support she has received at CBU has been essential to her growth. She points to faculty who act as mentors, the African Nova Scotian support systems led by Dionne Romard, Student Development Officer for Students of African Nova Scotian and Canadian Descent, and academic resources like the Writing Centre and the Math and Science Centre. Together, these supports have ensured she is recognized as more than just a student number, but as an individual with a unique path. Ivana says the sense of community on campus has also made her time at CBU special.

“I enjoy the sense of community at CBU,” she says. “Cape Breton itself has such a strong feeling of belonging, and that extends into student life. There’s a closeness here. You feel supported not just academically but also personally.”

For Ivana, the Bridge Program has been both an academic and personal journey. It has given her new depth as a nurse while connecting her to her family’s history in Cape Breton. Most of all, it has shown her how a university education can prepare students not only for professional success but also for carrying forward a legacy of care. Looking ahead, Ivana sees only the sky as a limit.

“My goal is to continue advancing my career, either by becoming a Nurse Practitioner or pursuing Medical School here in Cape Breton,” she says. “CBU has given me the tools, knowledge and confidence to aim higher and continue my education.”