Nursing student finds balance with Athabasca University
Transforming Lives: Learners of AU is an ongoing series where real students and alumni share how AU’s flexible learning model made a difference in their lives and, in turn, the communities in which they live and work. Submit your story.
I started my nursing degree back in 2019 when I lived in a rural town called Princeton, British Columbia. I came to Canada as an international student in 2013 and was in the process of getting permanent residency in Princeton when I decided to get started on my Post-LPN to Bachelor of Nursing degree.
There was no traditional university or even college nearby and I had no option to continue my job if I wanted to advance my education from a diploma in nursing to a bachelor’s degree.
“The flexibility of Athabasca University helped me balance other aspects of my life while working on my degree.”
– Manmeet Kaur, Post-LPN to Bachelor of Nursing student
That’s when I came to learn about Athabasca University. At first, I could not believe that it was even possible to do a degree from the comfort of my home. I got connected to a customer representative within a few minutes and I was instantly connected to an advisor who explained me that my dream of working from home can come true.
AU a constant amid life changes
I enrolled the very next day and I am now only 2 courses away from my nursing degree! During all these years when I was studying for my degree, I got my permanent residency, travelled to India for 5 months to get married, relocated to Ontario, became an emergency department nurse, and had a baby (who is now 20 months old). The flexibility of Athabasca University helped me balance other aspects of my life while working on my degree.
Not only this, but Athabasca University has allowed me to be an active participant in my community. I am a member of a local Rotary club, serve as a community health ambassador with Women’s Health in Women’s Hand, and volunteer at empowHer. If I was a traditional university student, I would never have been able to balance so many other commitments along with my current full-time course load. That is where AU plays a significant role in helping me reach my goals without compromising on my other responsibilities.
“If I was a traditional university student, I would never have been able to balance so many other commitments along with my current full-time course load.”
Another great thing about Athabasca University is that there are so many support services available. I can access Counselling Services, writing support, library services, IT services, course planning help; even wellness and mental health services are just a phone call or email away.
For any of my courses, there are tutor hours when I can call my tutor to discuss the course material. I feel it is even better than the other traditional universities. I feel proud to belong to AU community and there is no university with the same flexibility as Athabasca.
Transforming Lives: Learners of AU
Read more profiles of AU students and grads in our series Transforming Lives: Learners of AU.