In the summer of 2019, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) established a bursary program that provides scholarships to aspiring health care assistants (HCAs) at Okanagan College.
BCCPA allotted $25,000 to set up eight student awards at the college valued at $3,125 each. The bursaries almost completely pay the tuition for the six-month HCA certificate program, which costs $3,300.
BCCPA caught up with Shoshanna Fremont, the first successful applicant of the bursary program, to learn more about her decision to pursue a career in seniors’ care and how receiving the bursary has impacted her.
How does the bursary from BC Care Providers Association help you?
This award made it possible for me to continue my studies without worrying about my financial stability. It took away the stress related to that and allowed me to focus on my schooling. I had a false idea of what college would be like, especially because the course was six months long. I expected it to be a breeze and I was very wrong. Between the stress of studying, assignments, written test, lab tests, I was struggling to support myself. What people don’t tell you is how hard it is to live a balanced life when you are a student, everyone makes it look so easy. This bursary made it possible for me to focus on my education and know that I was taken care of.
Why do you want to be a health care assistant?
I have always taken great pleasure in making other people feel good and as I grew up and finished high school I looked for a career that I could do that. I felt that becoming an health care assistant would satisfy that feeling and once I started doing research, I realized that it would be the perfect career choice for me. I also felt like the flexible work schedule was a great way for me to live a balanced life and still provide for myself. So not only do I get to make a difference in people’s lives, I get to continue to do the things I love and live my life without struggling.
What are you looking forward to most after completing the HCA certificate program?
I am excited to start my new career. It may sound silly but it is a great feeling to have accomplished this. I look forward to starting my job and feeling confident knowing that I have the skills and education to do my job to the best of my abilities. There are also endless possibilities of where this career could take me so I am excited to see where life will take me.
Do you have any advice for students considering a career in seniors’ care?
The biggest thing I would say is to make sure you understand what this career entails. Do some extra research because there are so many things that you don’t realize are involved in being an HCA. Even when you know exactly what you are getting into, once you start clinical, everything changes. Things that you talk about in class happen in real life and it is not as easy as it seemed it would be. This job is very emotional and you need to be prepared for that. In the end though, I would say make sure you take care of yourself. Self-care is so important as a student and especially in this field of work.
