A Career That Evolves With You

Sancey Pelton is a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) who has built her career at Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) by embracing curiosity and continuous learning. Sancey’s journey with BCHS began in 2013 as a Personal Support Worker (PSW). Through an education leave opportunity, she returned to school to become an RPN, opening the door to new responsibilities and opportunities to expand her role in patient care.

Since then, her career has taken her across several areas of BCHS, including Complex Care, Medicine, the Early Psychosis Intervention Program and Inpatient Mental Health. Each experience has offered a different perspective on patient care and helped shape the nurse she is today.

Working across both inpatient and community mental health has provided Sancey with the opportunity to support individuals at different stages of their recovery journey—from caring for patients during acute mental health crises’ in an inpatient setting, to supporting young people and their families as they navigate recovery, challenges, and barriers in the community.

In her current role in the Early Psychosis Intervention Program, Sancey’s work encompasses assessment, medication management, metabolic monitoring, crisis intervention and psychoeducation while working closely with patients, families and an interprofessional team.

But beyond the clinical skills, one of the most important lessons she has learned is the power of making people feel heard. "Through it all, I’ve learned that some of the most impactful moments in healthcare come from making our patients feel heard, understood and supported,” says Sancey.

For Sancey, growth has also come through the people around her. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to learn from colleagues across disciplines and credits the leadership she experienced in Early Psychosis Intervention and Inpatient Mental Health for encouraging continued professional development.

Her leaders supported continuing education, encouraged professional growth and created opportunities to take on new challenges. That confidence from others became an important part of Sancey’s own confidence to continue learning and growing—both professionally and personally.

One of the moments that reminded Sancey why she chose this career came during Mental Health Week in May 2026, when she had the opportunity to represent BCHS at a community event.

Connecting with current and former patients, she heard stories about their progress, the supports they had accessed in the community and the goals they were working toward.

"It was an opportunity to see people who had once been patients doing well, talking about their experiences and looking toward the future," she reflects. "I left feeling proud to work at an organization that supports healing and recovery."

For anyone considering a career in mental health, Sancey’s advice is to remain curious and open to learning. "Not every day will be easy, but learning from every experience will help shape you professionally. Your patients will teach you just as much as your colleagues." That mindset has helped her embrace the many directions a healthcare career can take.

"One of the greatest things BCHS has taught me is that your career can evolve as you do,” says Sancey.

Healthcare is constantly changing, and nursing can offer countless opportunities to explore new interests, build transferable skills and discover roles that align with individual strengths and passions. For Sancey, the journey from PSW to RPN and through multiple areas of care, reflects that flexibility.

Her advice extends beyond professional development, too.

"Approach people with curiosity before judgment. I’ve learned that most people are doing the best they can with the tools, knowledge and experiences they have in that moment."

That perspective has helped Sancey build trust with patients, families and colleagues—and has reinforced the importance of kindness, compassion and genuine human connection in healthcare.

For those considering their own career in healthcare, Sancey’s journey is a reminder that there isn’t always one straight path. Sometimes, the opportunity to grow comes from saying yes to something new, continuing your education or stepping into a role you never expected to pursue.

At BCHS, your career can evolve as you do. Discover where your journey can take you, www.bchsys.org/careers.