Dedication and determination pay off for nurse

When Michelle Monkman was growing up in the Norway House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, she knew one thing for sure: she is a nurturer.
Lucky for her, when she reached adulthood the post-secondary education possibilities open to her at the time were mostly geared to careers that involved nurturing.
In 1999, Monkman enrolled in the Health Education Access Program (HEAP) at Keewatin Community College, a program that depends on sponsorship from the band.
She spent her first year of nursing studies with the support of her close-knit community and in the company of friends, family and her one-year-old daughter.
To continue on with her studies, the following year Monkman made the difficult decision to take her little girl and move to Winnipeg, a city she'd barely spent time in previously, in order to start her Bachelor of Nursing degree at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Nursing. But Monkman seems to roll with life's punches and although she initially had some hesitations, she knew her path in life was to build a future for herself and her young family.
"After the first little bit I made a few friends," she said. "I felt more confident in what I was doing probably after my second year, though, and I got a lot of support from study groups and the faculty."
Monkman always planned to return to Norway House after her degree. But some might argue fate played a hand, and the course of her life was changed forever.
In her fourth and final year of studies she'd applied for and anticipated she'd do her practicum in Manitoba's north, when another student received the placement instead.
"So I changed my mind," she said.
Monkman's ability to adapt has not gone unnoticed.
"Michelle persevered and achieved her dream," said Marilyn Klimczak, an instructor in the Faculty of Nursing. "Recently, I was pleased to see her return to a Faculty of Nursing workshop as a graduate to learn about the nurse-preceptor role for senior students.
"As I became reacquainted with Michelle and learned about her unique nursing role I knew she would be a wonderful guest speaker for several nursing classes. Michelle immediately agreed to come to speak to first- and fourth-year nursing students. She was a hit. Michelle has a wonderful way of engaging the audience with a variety of stories from her rich experience."
A career in nursing offers a variety of paths. It's wonderful to see that Michelle has made the most of her opportunities and that she is willing to share her successes."
Today, Monkman and daughter live in Winnipeg where she works as a public health nurse in communicable disease control. Part of her job takes place in her office, while the rest involves street nursing and on-site health clinics.
"I feel very fortunate," the 27-year-old said. "I'm the youngest one in my office and we have a big Aboriginal population in Winnipeg so I can help them. I do case management for sexually transmitted diseases in the office and do flu clinics in Main Street bars. We practice a harm reduction approach," she continues.
"When I do street nursing I work with vulnerable street entrenched populations in the city's core area, who are sometimes sex trade workers or drug abusers. I'm not turning a blind eye."
Indeed. Monkman's philosophy is reminiscent of a grander scheme than perhaps even she realizes just yet.
"I love to share my successes and am hoping to spread my motivation to others, despite the challenges," she says. "And what would I say to other Aboriginal peoples wanting to do what I've done? 'Believe in yourself. It's hard, but stick it out. The payoffs are tremendous.'"