Volunteer Association Education Bursary Awarded to Erika Whatley
Erika Whatley has been working at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Center since 2018, initially as a Unit Care Aide (UCA) while pursuing her Practical Nursing diploma at Confederation College. She graduated in 2019 and transitioned to a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) role, where she was delighted to begin her career on the 3C Surgical floor, fulfilling her dream.
Driven by her immense ambition, Erika refused to settle for less than she deserved. Despite facing numerous challenges in life, she has always pushed herself to chase after her dreams. Driven by her deep passion for nursing, she made the bold decision to further her education and enrolled in Nipissing University’s RPN to RN bridging program to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse (RN).
Beginning in 2020, she embarked on the arduous journey of working full-time and dedicating herself to completing her degree online. Despite the demands of her rigorous schedule, she persevered with unfaltering determination. However, the challenges did not end there, as the pandemic swept through the world and greatly impacted the nursing profession. As a dedicated nurse, she faced even more hurdles than before, yet remained steadfast in her commitment to patient care.
On top of the challenges of the pandemic, she was suddenly struck with a chronic heart disease that required surgery. Though Erika was forced to take a break from bedside nursing, she remained true in her determination to return to her passion for surgical nursing.
Her scheduled surgery in February 2021 was postponed due to the pandemic-induced delay of countless surgeries across the province. Despite her struggle, she never lost courage and continued to maintain focus on regaining her health. In March 2022, she underwent the long-awaited surgery, finally bringing an end to the challenging journey she had endured. Even though she went through a significant disruption to her plans, she never stopped thriving in both her work and education. Excelling in her new position in lnfection Prevention and Control, Erika remained committed to her love for nursing. She even joined the Nursing Practice Council to advocate for the profession, demonstrating her unwavering dedication and belief in herself.
Erika truly embodies the spirit of nursing, tirelessly advocating for its advancement and showing a firm commitment to patient care.
