Meet CBU’s Fall 2026 Valedictorian: Ivana Walcott

Leaving the familiar rhythms of home to start over thousands of kilometres away takes guts. Doing it while juggling full-time clinical rotations, rigorous exams and the constant demands of nursing school requires a level of determination that isn’t taught in a classroom.

For Ivana Walcott, stepping out of her comfort zone and home in Calgary, Alberta and moving across the country to Cape Breton Island was a leap of faith. Now, that leap of faith has carried her through Cape Breton University’s Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BScN) program – soon to cross the stage, not just to accept her degree parchment, but to address her graduating classmates as the 2026 Fall Convocation Valedictorian.

“I was honestly so excited and honoured when I found out,” says Ivana. “It was such a special moment, especially knowing how much hard work, dedication and sacrifice went into getting here.”

Returning to Her Roots

Before arriving at CBU, Ivana had already spent over 11 years working on the front lines of healthcare as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). While she knew she wanted to advance her career through CBU’s LPN to RN Nursing Bridge Program, the move east carried a far deeper significance: her family’s roots in both Glace Bay and Whitney Pier. Moving across the country offered Ivana a chance to continue to develop her skills while reconnecting with the place her mother and grandparents grew up. 

“When I first moved from Calgary to Cape Breton, I knew I was making a big change and taking a chance, but I don’t think I fully understood just how much this experience would shape me,” Ivana says. “Moving away from home, balancing school, work and managing the demands of the nursing program definitely came with challenges, but I kept reminding myself why I started and why I chose to go back to school. Personally, this journey has taught me a lot about resilience, stepping outside of my comfort zone and truly believing in myself.”

Compassion on the Front Lines

Throughout her degree, Ivana turned rigorous clinical training into meaningful, person-to-person connection. Whether caring for patients in the Post-Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) and Day Surgery at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, or listening at bedside check-ins, Ivana kept her focus on the human side of medicine.

“Those experiences reminded me how much of an impact we can have on patients during what can be a stressful or uncertain time in their lives,” she says. “Sometimes, it’s the small things, like taking the time to listen, offering reassurance or helping someone feel more comfortable, that makes the biggest difference.”

That community commitment came full circle beyond the hospital walls. One of Ivana’s proudest moments at CBU came when she volunteered with the nursing department to run an African Nova Scotian blood pressure screening clinic in Whitney Pier.

“My family has deep roots in Whitney Pier, so being able to give back to a community that has always been a part of my family’s history meant a lot to me,” says Ivana. “It was a reminder of how important it is to connect with the communities we serve and to make a difference both inside and outside of the hospital.”

Uplifted by Community

Navigating the intensity of the LPN-RN Bridge Program was made possible through Ivana’s strong circle of support on campus. In particular, the African Nova Scotian student initiatives coordinated by Dionne Romard, CBU’s Student Development Officer for Students of African Nova Scotian and Canadian Descent, provided an important sense of belonging, encouragement and representation.

“Having people who believe in you, recognize your potential and cheer you on along the way makes such a difference and I’m incredibly grateful for all of them,” Ivana says, expressing appreciation for faculty members like Kelli MacDonald and Kara Thompson.

Above all, Ivana credits her family for being her rock through the hardest stretches of her degree.

“My mom, my dad and my grandmother have been a huge part of my journey and I’m so grateful for their love, support and encouragement,” she says. “They have always believed in me and encouraged me to keep going, even when things got difficult.”

The Next Chapter

Having weathered the experience of going back to school and balancing long shifts with late nights in the library, Ivana’s advice for her graduating peers centres on persistence and self-trust.

“Everyone has their own story and we don’t always see the challenges people have faced behind the scenes,” Ivana says. “Whether you had to move away from home, balance work and school, overcome personal challenges or find the strength to keep going when things felt overwhelming, you deserve to celebrate this accomplishment. My biggest message would be to trust yourself, be proud of how far you’ve come and remember that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.”

As she prepares to cross the Kehoe Forum stage as CBU’s 2026 Fall Valedictorian, Ivana is ready to turn her decades of experience and her new degree toward specialized care. Her sights are set on pediatric nursing, child advocacy and families facing acute medical challenges. 

“My experience at CBU has reinforced the importance of being a nurse who leads with compassion, advocates for patients and families, makes people feel heard and respected and who is kind,” says Ivana. “I’m excited to celebrate this milestone with my friends and family, enjoy everything I’ve worked so hard for and see where my RN journey takes me!”

Congratulations to Ivana and the entire Fall 2026 graduating class!

Ready to start your CBU journey? Visit cbu.ca/apply today to get started.