Since Crystal was a teenager, she found fulfillment in helping and caring for others. Throughout the years, she contemplated undertaking a Health Care Assistant (HCA) course, but always felt like it was the wrong time.
That is until her father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in July 2020.
“I watched him decline rapidly in front of my eyes,” recalls Crystal, “both my mom and I sat at his bedside in the palliative care unit in Nanaimo for the last week of his life.”
While a difficult, this experience sparked an urge for Crystal to help others the way staff at the unit and hospital helped her father.
“Those nurses, doctors, and care aides were absolute angels and took care of all of my dad’s needs as well as us, the family. I thought to myself, ‘how precious and [what] a wonderful gift to another human soul is to support and care during their end-of-life transition.”
While at the Nanaimo General Hospital waiting room, Crystal coincidentally came across the HCA Training Program information.
“I felt the urge to contact them to find out more, [and] the rest was history.”
What was a difficult time for Crystal turned into a push for her to make a difference in other people’s lives as an HCA.
“Words can’t express how much gratitude I feel for the amazing opportunity to have such a prestigious diploma program offered to me fully funded.”
Interested in becoming an HCA like Crystal? We are currently accepting applications for those interested in Duncan and Nanaimo. Visit our HCA Training Program page here for more information.
