Nurses provide invaluable knowledge, innovation and expertise in delivering high-quality care for patients and the community. To support nurses to grow in their careers, St. Joe’s offers many professional and leadership development opportunities, along with a variety of nursing opportunities. At St. Joe’s, nurses work as a first point of contact care providers, as educators, as mentors, as mental health advocates and in a wide variety of other roles. 

There are many different paths nurses can take through a career with St. Joe’s and we are committed to helping them get to where they want to be. We spoke with Omotoke (Toke) Shoga, a Registered Nurse (RN) who works at our West 5th Campus about how she went from student to extern to RN with the support of training and mentorship at St. Joe’s.  

What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing? 
I have always been drawn to science, especially the health sciences and I was looking for a career that had opportunities for growth and diversity.  There are so many kinds of nursing specialties for me to try and I knew I could move around until I found what was right for me. 

Tell us about your role as an extern with St. Joe’s and how that helped establish your career path.  
As an extern, I helped the nurses with rounds and assessments. I also assisted nurses with small tasks to lessen their workload and provided extra support to those around me, both staff and patients. Being an extern provided me with a glimpse into what my day-to-day could look like as a nurse on the unit and ensured I would have a seamless transition into my role as I became accustomed to the routine and flow of the unit. 

Why did you want to work at St. Joe’s as a Registered nurse? 
I've always been interested in psychiatry so getting my placement on an acute mental health unit in my third year of nursing school was very exciting. I loved the work culture and the overall support and encouragement from the health care team. I loved it so much that I came back to St. Joe’s in my final year in the schizophrenia in patient unit. After my placement, they asked me if I wanted to be an extern and I jumped at the opportunity. Being both a student and an extern made it very easy for me to decide to start my career as an RN at St. Joe's. 

How did training and mentorship as a student and extern at St. Joe’s prepare you for your role as a registered nurse? 
St. Joe’s created a very safe space for growth and learning. This experience lets you immerse yourself in the day-to-day realities of being a nurse. It helps you figure out if it aligns with your goals and aspirations as well. I learned a lot just being there on the floor. I learned about the roles of the health care team and even things as simple as where items are located on the unit. Getting an extern role allows you to have a seamless transition, especially as a new grad which sets you up for success in the long run. 

What advice would you give to a nurse just starting their career?  
The best advice I can give is to be confident and don't give up. The first six months or even a year can be scary and challenging but that is a huge part of growth. Never be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. 

What gives you pride in your role as a nurse? 
I haven't been a nurse for long but in the short time that I have been, I can say that watching patients get better, and having them be vulnerable and trusting of me means a lot. I take pride in being able to provide a safe space for patients in their time of need because being in a hospital can be uneasy at times. 

If you are a new grad and would love to learn, grow and care at St. Joe’s, visit the links below to apply. 
RN Graduate – www.stjoes.ca/RNGrad 
RPN Graduate – www.stjoes.ca/RPNGrad