Melissa Bock is a Doctorate prepared Nurse Practitioner in the Inpatient Medical Services department at St. Joe’s West 5th campus who says she “could not picture working in any other profession.”

Melissa has gone through multiple stages in her career that have all shaped her professional practice into something she takes great pride in. “I would not be the clinician I am today if it was not for all of the experience I gathered along the way,” Melissa says.

Melissa began her career working as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) briefly before she went on to become a Registered Nurse (RN). From there she started working in a busy emergency room of a level one trauma centre, where she experienced great learning on the job. “I learned how to prioritize, I learned time management skills and most importantly, how to engage with patients in different situations,” Melissa explains.

Her next academic achievement was completing her Nurse Practitioner certificate, after which she began working in primary care. “Working in primary care was so different from the ER. I was building long term relationships with patients and assisting them through all stages of life; from infant to aging adult,” Melissa says. While working in primary care, Melissa completed a Master of Education and shortly after that started working at St. Joe’s in 2017. While working at St. Joe’s, Melissa earned both a Master’s degree in Nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice.

St. Joe’s reputation for progressive and innovated healthcare appealed to Melissa. “I wanted to be a part of a team and an organization that was patient-focused, and St. Joe’s is just that,” Melissa explains.

Working at St. Joe’s has allowed Melissa to make a difference and have a positive impact on the delivery of healthcare that patients receive every day, which is what drew her to nursing. “It also helps to work with like-minded people that share the same passion as I do to make a difference. Together, as a collective we have a greater impact,” says Melissa.

The advice Melissa would offer to anyone starting out in their nursing career is that it is okay not to know everything when you graduate. “Ask questions, keep learning and be inquisitive,” says Melissa. “Nursing and working in healthcare are a lifelong learning process. I learn something new every day, and honestly that is why I love this profession so much. I could not picture working in any other profession, and I do not think there could be anything more rewarding than working in healthcare.”