Taking the Leap

Sometimes, the most rewarding opportunities begin with a willingness to step outside your comfort zone and take a chance on yourself.

After 14 years as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), Duska Smith was ready for a new challenge. As she neared the completion of her Registered Practical Nursing (RPN) studies, she decided to take a leap of faith and accept a temporary PSW position at BCHS—an opportunity that would ultimately change the direction of her career.

“I embraced the opportunity to learn, grow and challenge myself in a new environment,” Duska shares. “Looking back, taking that leap was one of the best decisions I have ever made professionally.”

That first step opened the door to a career filled with new experiences, supportive colleagues and opportunities to continue developing her skills.

Today, Duska is a full-time Registered Practical Nurse in the Rehabilitation Program on the Complex Care Unit (C4) at Brantford General Hospital, where she supports patients as they work toward their individual goals and regain independence.

Her role includes everything from assessing vital signs and completing skin assessments to providing wound care, administering medications and advocating for her patients. But for Duska, some of the most meaningful parts of her work happen in the moments— in between encouraging a patient who is working toward a goal, supporting someone through a difficult day or celebrating a patient’s progress along the way.

Throughout her journey at BCHS, Duska has been fortunate to work alongside colleagues who have fostered her growth, encouraged continuous learning and challenged her to embrace new opportunities. 

From her early days as a temporary PSW to becoming a new graduate nurse, joining the Clinical Resource Team (CRT) and eventually moving into her current role on C4, mentorship has been a constant part of her career.

One colleague she met through the CRT has even become her “phone-a-friend”—someone she can continue to turn to for guidance and support. Other colleagues encouraged her to get involved with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), while her interest in wound care led to an opportunity to participate in the Professional Improvement Program (PIP).

For Duska, these experiences are reminders that career growth doesn't always happen through one big opportunity. Sometimes, it comes from simply being willing to ask questions, try something new and learn from the people around you.

“My journey is far from complete,” shares Duska. “I still have so much to learn, and I truly believe my colleagues are a wealth of knowledge. Sometimes, you just have to ask.”

The support she has received has also inspired Duska to pay it forward. Having experienced the impact that mentorship and encouragement can have on someone's confidence, she hopes to provide that same support to others as they navigate their own careers.

For Duska, there isn't one single moment that has confirmed she chose the right career. Instead, it's the collection of experiences that continue to remind her why she loves what she does.

“From having a hand in a patient's rehabilitation and watching them successfully return home, to sharing someone's final moments with dignity, it's the little things,” she says. “The people I've met and the relationships I've built with my colleagues have reinforced that nursing at BCHS is where I belong.”

Those moments have shown her that nursing is about more than clinical skills. It's about meeting people where they are, building trust and making a difference in someone's life—sometimes in ways that may seem small but mean everything to the person receiving care.

For anyone considering a career in nursing, Duska encourages them to stay curious and embrace the opportunities that come their way.

“It's a career that challenges you, continuously teaches you and gives you as many opportunities to grow as you are willing to accept,” she says. “It's not always easy, but the relationships you build with patients and colleagues, as well as the difference you can make in someone's life, make it incredibly rewarding.”

She also emphasizes that no one is expected to know everything.

“You don't and won't know everything. You just need to be willing to learn and accept support from those around you.”

Having experienced that support firsthand, Duska believes BCHS is a meaningful place to begin or continue a healthcare career.

“You're not just beginning a job, you're becoming part of a team and a community that can help shape the nurse you are becoming,” she says. “You're surrounded by people who are willing to support and guide you, such as the clinical educators and clinical scholars. I've experienced that support throughout my own career, and I think that's what makes starting here so valuable.”

From PSW to RPN, Duska's journey is a reminder that your career doesn't have to follow a straight path. Sometimes, taking a chance on something new can lead you exactly where you're meant to be.

And for those taking their own first steps into healthcare, her advice is simple:

“Take a deep breath, keep positive and stay calm.”

At BCHS, every career journey can look a little different. With opportunities to learn, grow, and find your passion, your next chapter could be closer than you think.

Visit www.bchsys.org/careers and find your opportunity today.