Maggie Williams
- Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2016)
Maggie earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2016. She is currently working as a Registered Nurse with The Ottawa Hospital, where she applies her knowledge and skills to support patient care and well-being.
“Advice I would give to students who are unsure about their next steps is to not worry. It is so common to not know what to do after you graduate. There are lots of options so go explore what interests you, whether that’s chatting to other people about their careers or doing some volunteer work or even traveling to get a good sense of what the world is like around you., perspective on life is helpful. There are so many different directions to take and it is daunting to not know what to do next, but in the end I hope you can find something you are passionate about doing if it’s not the first thing you try.“
Brief description of what I do!
I work as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department. It is a hectic place with constant movement. You are seeing people from every walk of life, which can be a challenge but rewarding in the end. There are a wide range of skills as nurses we can perform and we work as a team along side doctors and other allied health members.
What inspired your career path after graduation?
After graduating I did not know what I wanted to do, but knew I wanted to work with people. I decided to volunteer at the Queensway Carleton Hospital to see if nursing was something that would interest me and I really enjoyed interacting with patients and helping them with meals. So the following year I applied to the Uottawa-Algonquin BSc.N. Program.
How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?
The program helped shape my journey by allowing me to explore new interests through the courses available. I enjoyed learning about other fields of study and topics I would not have considered, allowing me to keep an open mind. I was able to learn more about human behaviour which has been a great asset to my career today.
What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?
The most valuable skills/experience was getting through the program. It gave me the knowledge and understanding of how to study and work hard. Going back to school for nursing was not easy, it was more challenging and I had to adapt my studying methods. My psychology degree gave me the confidence and skills to get through my nursing degree, which i would not have been able to do right out of high school.
What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?
A proud moment so far in my career is knowing that I made the right choice in becoming a nurse.