I wanted to take a moment to share my profound gratitude to the BC Career College Association for the transformative journey I have experienced through the program offered at Discovery College.

When I was first offered the opportunity to join this course, I was overwhelmed with fear. The prospect of relocating my entire life to a new part of the island, facing financial uncertainties, and stepping into a world where I knew no one was daunting, to say the least.

The early days were filled with immense stress and self-doubt. I found myself questioning my decision multiple times throughout the year, uncertain if I could withstand the pressures and challenges that came my way. However, thanks to the unwavering support from my friends and family, both emotionally and financially, I managed to persevere.

As the program progressed, what seemed like a distant dream began to crystallize into reality. The turning point came when I secured a full-time job even before completing half of my preceptorship. This achievement was not just a career milestone; it was a testament to the skills and confidence I had gained through the course.

My new work environment became a nurturing ground for friendships and further learning. Each day offered new knowledge, invaluable life experiences, and opportunities for self-improvement. I emerged from this journey not only with enhanced professional capabilities but also as a better, more fulfilled version of myself.

I am now on a career path that not only brings me joy and fulfillment but also a profound sense of purpose. None of this would have been possible without the opportunity you provided me, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Thank you once again for believing in me and for paving the way for my future. I look forward to what lies ahead, equipped with the tools and experiences I’ve gained from this incredible journey.

 

I am writing to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Discovery College, the BC Career College Association and everyone involved with the Practical Nursing Access program. Reflecting on the past year, my educational journey has not only been enriching but also transformative, guiding me to a career that I am passionately embracing today.

When I first enrolled in the program, I was uncertain about my future direction in nursing. I initially thought I might return to long-term care, a familiar field for me. However, my experiences during the course, particularly my involvement with the Aids Vancouver Island crew during our clinical day and the exposure to the community in Campbell River, were pivotal. These experiences opened my eyes to my previously unrecognized biases and provided me with a new, beautiful outlook on life.

This newfound perspective led me directly to my current role as an addictions nurse—a field I had not considered before but now find incredibly fulfilling. Each day, I see firsthand how addiction afects individuals from all walks of life, including first responders, doctors, teachers, and nurses. This has profoundly changed my understanding of addiction and reinforced the importance of compassion in healthcare.

Working at Edgewood Treatment Centre, where I secured a full-time position even before completing my program, has been a blessing. The environment here is supportive and dynamic, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to the recovery process of many. I feel privileged to be able to impact not only my patients but also my family and friends, helping shift negative perceptions about addiction that many of us grow up with.

The knowledge and experiences I gained through the Practical Nursing Access program have been invaluable. I am making a significant diference in people’s lives daily, which has brought me immense satisfaction and joy.

Please pass along my thanks to everyone who has supported and guided me through this incredible journey.

I recently completed the government funded Health Care Assistant (HCA) program, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience. The program provided a comprehensive curriculum that thoroughly prepared me for a career in healthcare.

I also appreciate the program’s focus on real-world applications of HCA skills, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the job in health care field. The blend of classroom instruction, practical labs, and clinical experience enhances my learning experience and boost my knowledge and molded me to become good care provider. 

I completed the Dental Receptionist Program with Discovery Career College supported by the Community Workforce Response Grant. I was originally going to do the combined Medical and Dental program but could not get a loan to support it, so the school had mentioned a new fully funded Dental Receptionist program coming soon and I was beyond thrilled to be able to get the chance to enter this program. The previous company I had worked for went under due to COVID-19 and I was scared to go back to school as I have two young children to take care of. This was an easy decision as I wanted a career that would work with my everyday life schedule and help better support my family. 

I learned a lot throughout this entire program, the teachers were beyond supportive and taught me everything I needed to know to enter this field of work. I also had a great office to do my practicum with, they were very professional and taught me the important things a Dental Receptionist needs to know and do for the business. My favorite part was being a part of an office that supported me even if I had troubles with some of the tasks, they would go over it a couple more times to make sure I understood what I was doing. 

This program has given me the confidence I need to enter this new chapter in my life. I cannot wait to start this new job and thrive in this line of work. I can now achieve the goals I want to better support my family and give my kids the best life they deserve. I am beyond grateful for this program, and it has changed my life for the better! 

Before joining the program, my professional life was quite varied. I had taken a break from working
and previously worked in the film industry and landscaping. My passion, however, has always been
centred around helping others, particularly in mental health. It’s something I’ve been invested in
throughout my life, often assisting friends with their mental health challenges. I wanted to turn this
passion into a profession where I could make a positive impact while earning a living. This program
appeared to be the perfect fit, aligning with my personality and my ability to connect and build trust
with people easily.

Recently, I was thrilled to start contract work with Positive Living North on a current program they
are running. This opportunity has been a significant stepping stone in my career, allowing me to
apply the skills and knowledge I gained from the program directly to real-world situations.

One of my favourite aspects of the program was undoubtedly the people — from fellow students to
instructors and staff. The environment was incredibly engaging and enriching. I found myself
learning more than I ever anticipated, bringing new insights and deeper understanding each day.
The program was not just educational but also extremely interesting, enhancing my skills and
preparing me effectively for my career in mental health services.

This journey has been transformative, and I look forward to continuing to grow and contribute to the
field of mental health. I am immensely grateful for the experience and the doors it has opened for
me.

When I first signed up for this program, I wasn’t planning on attending classes this year and it was brought to my attention by a family member. (Victoria Nookemus).  She felt that I would be a great fit for the position and I became excited on starting my journey in my career. Once I started, I quickly started to learn a ton and felt that this was a good choice to sign-up. During the time in the Crisis Response & Mental Health Worker Progrma (CRMHW) course, I lost my one-year-old cat & 2 people that were close to me to overdoses, both family members. This affected me and my participation in class, but Amy reached out to me and we worked out something so that my attendance was up and so was my participation. 

Growing up and even today I experienced being around a lot of addiction and people that suffer from mental health diagnosis’s, I’ve always had a passion to talk with people and help them where needed. 

I very much enjoyed the Crisis Response and Mental Health Worker program and will recommend it to other people I know. The staff at Discovery Community College were kind, knowledgeable, open-minded to our feedback, and overall lovely to have as instructors. I am happy that I did this program. I feel it has helped me gain experience in the field with our practicums and felt all of the locations through the Port Alberni Shelter Society were great to work for in different aspects. I was told to hand in resumes to all locations by each mentor.

Thank-you very much to Discovery Community College, Amy, Kosta, Heather, Jon, Jim & everyone else that helped get me to where I am today. 

I am really fortunate to have found the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program when I did. I had been in Williams Lake for maybe ten months, and I just happened to see a post on Facebook that mentioned the HCA program at Discovery Community College, and I called right away. The fact that it was funded by the Provincial Government was a nice bonus. After losing everything and my residence in the White Rock Lake wildfires in 2021, I was just trying to get back on my feet. To be able to go to school without a student loan was a wonderful feeling.

This program and the focus of compassionate care was really enjoyable. It opened my eyes to care facilities that practice the Eden Alternative Philosophy of Care. That there are alternatives to treating people with Dementia so they can lead fuller lives. It is truly inspiring to see the evolution of care that is being practiced instead of the institutional approach. Whenever we would watch videos about HCA’s, I really saw myself in their shoes. The HCA’s all seemed happy with their workplace, and happy to serve others. It’s been some time since I felt happy in the workplace. It made me realize that I have had many jobs that were not a good fit, and that I was always happy when I volunteered with seniors.

This program has given me confidence in being a student again, after many years. Having ADHD does make school a challenge, even though I love to learn. Having the program online made it not so challenging and I was able to enjoy learning once again. This program has made me finally see my purpose and my chosen career. I can’t say enough for the support that was given by Discovery Community College and the wonderful caring instructors.

I am a proud graduate of Discovery Community College, where I completed my Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Diploma. Currently, I am serving within the Nanaimo Mental Health Programs, which fall under the purview of the Island Health Authority.

Since graduating, I have embarked on a fulfilling journey in mental health nursing, with a recent specialization in 2024. My role primarily revolves around providing psychosocial rehabilitation services to clients diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness. This involves delivering holistic care and support to individuals in their recovery journey, emphasizing empowerment and community integration.

In addition to direct client care, I am actively involved in various aspects of interdisciplinary collaboration. One of my key responsibilities includes educating staff members on safe medication monitoring practices, ensuring adherence to best practices and regulatory standards. Moreover, I play an integral role in interdisciplinary care planning, contributing insights and strategies to optimize client outcomes.

Furthermore, I provide ongoing support and clinical direction to Mental Health Workers within our programs, fostering a collaborative and cohesive care environment. Through mentorship and knowledge sharing, I aim to enhance the quality of care delivered to our clients while nurturing professional development among our team members.

As a graduate of Discovery Community College, I am sincerely grateful for the support and comprehensive training I received during my time at your esteemed institution. The foundation laid by Discovery Community College has been invaluable in shaping my career and enabling me to make meaningful contributions to the field of mental health nursing.

The program means everything to me, I would not have been able to go back to school.  Discovery Community College’s support has been amazing, and I now have the career that I always dreamed of doing.