Allowing time for family and her studies
At 37 years old with two young children and a husband in her corner, Heather Meston decided to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.
However, the Drayton Valley resident with close ties to her community, and even an even stronger commitment to her family, didn’t see the value in traveling out of town to attend college. Then she found NorQuest College’s hybrid practical nursing program, delivered right out of the college’s Drayton Valley campus.
“NorQuest College gives us the chance to receive an education by branching out to these smaller towns,” says the now-40 year old. “I don’t think I would have gone back to school had I needed to go to Edmonton.”
The college’s regional campuses are located in Drayton Valley, Whitecourt, Stony Plain, Wetaskiwin and Westlock.
Meston, who holds a health care aide certificate from NorQuest as well, now works as a licensed practical nurse in continuing care at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre. She couldn’t be happier.
“Someone needs to take care of the elderly,” she says. “You don’t have to be a trauma nurse to be a good nurse.”
Taking the course via the hybrid delivery mode allowed her to study on her own time – with the luxury of on-site supports at the campus.
“That really helped. I could still be at home and attend my live online classes or watch the recordings.”
As a NorQuest College alumna, Meston is proud of her alma mater – for the way it strives to improve lives and fulfil aspirations, especially for those looking into a career in nursing.
“Our scope of the practice is huge now. Every class that graduates has more opportunities and competencies than the one before them.”
NorQuest College gives us the chance to receive an education by branching out to these smaller towns. That really helped. I could still be at home and attend my live online classes or watch the recordings.