Nequinto is enrolled in the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program, which sees students take their first two years at the College of New Caledonia and their second two at the University of Northern British Columbia. She’s nearing the half-way mark of the program. And, so far – even with the COVID-19 pandemic altering the delivery of course material – her experience has been exceedingly positive.
“I’m getting to differentiate what it’s like to be in a normal, on-campus situation during the first year and now in the second year adapting to the online teaching,” says the 22-year-old Nequinto, who hails from the Philippines. “I’m loving it because the instructors are really hands-on in teaching us different skills every week. We get to learn a lot of new things every week and we get to apply them in clinical the same week.”
Nequinto was born and raised in Laguna Province, Philippines, near Manila. She has an aunt and cousins who are nurses, and that family connection sparked her initial interest in the profession. She recognized nursing as her true calling when her grandmother, Cresenciana, became ill.
“I really wanted to take care of her – that’s why I really wanted to get into nursing,” Nequinto says. “And not only that, I wanted to help a lot of people. Probably it’s in my nature to care for someone. I think I’m going to be able to apply that nature through the nursing profession.”
Nequinto took two years of nursing in her home country. In 2017, she moved with her parents and sister to Prince Rupert. Once settled, Nequinto and her sister, Marineth, applied for entrance into the NCBNP and were accepted.
Nequinto is excited about the educational path she has chosen. She values the CNC portion of her training and is looking forward to continuing the program at UNBC. She says the comprehensive nature of the NCBNP – with students working in classroom, laboratory, clinical and community settings – will have her well-prepared to become a registered nurse.
Nequinto “absolutely” recommends the NCBNP to others pursuing nursing careers. Aside from the knowledge and skills she has gained through the program, she says it has helped her grow as a person.
“This has really boosted my self-esteem,” she says. “In the nursing program you need to socialize with other people – you need to get out of your comfort zone in order to care for someone, and this program has helped me a lot.”
Next start date: Fall 2021
Fees: To be posted in the fee schedule for the 2021-22 academic year
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