Michelle and Jay graduated from the Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (BPIEN) Program in 2011. Michelle has been working at St. Boniface Hospital for 4 years now mainly in Cardiac Sciences Program (CCU Coronary Care Unit; Cardiology; Cardiac Surgery Inpatient Unit). She also works in Acute Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Family Medicine and Transitional Care Unit at times.

After graduating, Jay worked as a Central Float Nurse in Deer Lodge Center for 2 years then moved to St. Boniface Hospital where he now works in Geriatric Medicine, Family Medicine and Transitional Care Unit.

Michelle and Jay share a bit about their unique journey from student to RN:

Everything was not easy. You need to sacrifice a lot to reach your dream.

My husband and I went to school together and this made things so tight financially. No fancy clothes. No restaurants or presents for our anniversary. No vacations. Instead, we spent hours in school and library. We lined up for the Food Bank.

Now, we get to help others in need. We are HAPPY nurses who get to touch people’s lives. We get to help patients in the recovery period or in the dying process.

Their final message to students in the thick of their studies right now?

HARD WORK pays off!