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February 11, 2009 - New Westminster grad injects personal experience into her career
Sybil Hoiss of New Westminster was determined not to let a car accident stand in her way of a nursing career. Forced to drop out of the Douglas College Nursing Program in order to recover from a head injury and four pelvic fractures in Winter 2005, she returned with a vengeance that Fall.
Hoiss graduates this Winter with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and valedictorian of her class.
"My experience made me appreciate and empathize more with my patients than I had previously. We see patients in the hospital, fix them up and send them on their way. But now I have more insight into what they will go through as they recover at home. There's a very psychological process of grief. That's something you can't learn from a book," says Hoiss.
Her perseverance was evident before she left the hospital, recalls Douglas instructor Marilyn Lewthwaite.
"After the accident, I visited Sybil in the hospital and she told me she wanted to come back to the program," says Lewthwaite.
"She positively channeled this drive and energy, and along with her kind and caring spirit she did reach her goal and became the best nurse possible," says Lewthwaite.
Hoiss is glad she stuck it out. "The best thing about college was challenging myself and then succeeding. At first, I wasn't sure I had the resources to make it through. Half-way through, I realized I did and never looked back," says Hoiss.
Her instructors say her leadership skills and advocacy on behalf of her patients during her practicum at Royal Columbian Hospital, where she now works, were particularly impressive.
Hoiss advises her fellow graduates to follow their dreams. "Take advantage of opportunities that interest you and follow your own passion. Above all, when told that something is not possible, ask, ‘Why not?'"
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Hoiss graduates this Winter with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and valedictorian of her class.
"My experience made me appreciate and empathize more with my patients than I had previously. We see patients in the hospital, fix them up and send them on their way. But now I have more insight into what they will go through as they recover at home. There's a very psychological process of grief. That's something you can't learn from a book," says Hoiss.
Her perseverance was evident before she left the hospital, recalls Douglas instructor Marilyn Lewthwaite.
"After the accident, I visited Sybil in the hospital and she told me she wanted to come back to the program," says Lewthwaite.
"She positively channeled this drive and energy, and along with her kind and caring spirit she did reach her goal and became the best nurse possible," says Lewthwaite.
Hoiss is glad she stuck it out. "The best thing about college was challenging myself and then succeeding. At first, I wasn't sure I had the resources to make it through. Half-way through, I realized I did and never looked back," says Hoiss.
Her instructors say her leadership skills and advocacy on behalf of her patients during her practicum at Royal Columbian Hospital, where she now works, were particularly impressive.
Hoiss advises her fellow graduates to follow their dreams. "Take advantage of opportunities that interest you and follow your own passion. Above all, when told that something is not possible, ask, ‘Why not?'"
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