Leveraging the BEGIN program to chart new career paths.
The BEGIN program was designed to empower nurses to overcome obstacles so they can evolve their skills and contribute to improving the healthcare landscape. BEGIN provides tuition grants to students enrolled in PSW-RPN and RPN-RN programs, reducing the financial barriers to their expanding nursing careers.
Megan LaVictoire and Charmaine Joy Salazar are two nurses whose stories encapsulate resilience, determination and the power of such educational support programs.
Registered Practical Nurse Megan LaVictoire’s, journey from public service to nursing was driven by personal tragedy. Megan’s story is a testament to the transformative power of grief and her unwavering commitment to providing compassionate care.
Born into a family of Canadian military veterans, Megan initially followed in her parents’ footsteps, working for the Department of National Defense in North Bay, Ontario. Her life took an unexpected turn in 2012 when her daughter was born with a rare palliative disease. Despite lacking medical training, Megan discovered she had an innate ability for caregiving, inspired by the exceptional support from healthcare professionals at Roger Neilsen House.
Following the devastating loss of her daughter in 2016, Megan channelled her grief into a newfound purpose. She decided to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse, graduating from Canadore College in 2023. Now employed as a palliative care nurse at Nipissing Serenity Hospice, Megan wanted to pursue further education to enhance her skills and opted for the Bachelor of Nursing program at Canadore College. She applied to WeRPN’s Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing (BEGIN) program to help cover the cost of her continuing education.
Although Megan faced financial challenges during her transition, with the support of the program’s financial assistance, she managed to balance part-time work and family responsibilities.
“I started the program when [my son] was just over one, so it was very challenging trying to juggle full-time school while raising a son and being a wife, not to mention working parttime,” Megan recalls. “It was a lot of pressure. I sometimes look back and wonder how I managed to do it. But it was definitely worth it because [my career] is just so rewarding!”
Reflecting on the program’s impact, Megan expresses gratitude for the tuition reimbursements, wraparound supports and networking opportunities that facilitated her success. The BEGIN program also played a pivotal role in Megan’s preparation for the RexPN exam, offering testing software and guidance.
“The BEGIN case managers really assisted me with navigating the software and preparing for that exam. It’s a lot of pressure having to write a test when you don’t know what’s on it, but thanks to the BEGIN program, I was very well equipped and prepared going into my exam.”
Beyond the academic aspect, the program broadened Megan’s perspective on nursing, revealing the fulfilling possibilities outside traditional hospital settings.
“The BEGIN program opened my eyes to community nursing, including the palliative care hospice,” she says. “I think when nurses go into a program, they’re so focused on working in a hospital setting. I don’t think I would have ventured out of that setting unless it was for the BEGIN program. It’s really rewarding to assist families with the transition from hospital to home, and I think you get a greater reward seeing the families thrive in their community.”
Passionate about her new role, Megan’s career is now a tribute to her late daughter, bringing a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment to her life.
Charmaine Joy Salazar, RN, was a nurse in the Philippines and was dedicated to continuing her nursing career once she moved to Canada. Having overcome different financial challenges, she fully embraced the opportunities provided by the BEGIN program. Charmaine’s determination to regain her RN status led her through diverse roles in teaching, nursing homes and health management before deciding to return to school.
Enrolling in George Brown College’s bridging program, Charmaine appreciated the flexibility that allowed her to pace her studies while juggling two jobs and family responsibilities.
Covering the cost of continuing education was a significant hurdle until Charmaine discovered the BEGIN program.
With the program’s assistance, she completed her remaining courses in one semester, graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in January 2024.
“I had an amazing experience with the program and had an incredible case manager who was very thorough and accommodating,” says Charmaine. “She reached out to me on a regular basis to see if I had missing requirements and to ensure that I had submitted everything. It was such a fantastic experience! I encourage my colleagues to look into it because it really helped me.”
Participating in the program not only provided financial relief but also helped Charmaine adapt to Canada’s healthcare system, exposing her to new tools and resources that enabled her to enhance her skills for the workplace.
“When I was doing nursing back home, we didn’t have the chance to do thorough physical assessments,” she explains. “But when I was taking my bridging courses, I learned a lot of new things and had the opportunity to go out into the community. Skin and wound resources were very limited in the Philippines, but when I did the bridging program, I was amazed at all the different kinds of dressings and interventions that are available to use. I also learned how to operate a lot of equipment that we don’t have back home and use programs like PCC and POC.”
BEGIN funding also allowed Charmaine to take an additional course in wound care, which helped her land her current role as Co-Director of Care/Skin Wound Lead working in the long-term care sector. She will also be temporarily taking over as Director of Care (DoC), which is a true testament to her perseverance and the transformative impact of the BEGIN program on her career trajectory.
In addition to her primary role, Charmaine generously dedicates her weekends to serving as a preceptor at CIMT College, where she imparts valuable knowledge to PSW students and encourages them to consider enrollment in the BEGIN program. Remarkably, even as she fulfills the responsibilities of her upcoming role as Director of Care (DoC), Charmaine is actively contemplating pursuing her Nurse Practitioner (NP) designation next year. Her unwavering commitment, determination and perseverance make her a true source of inspiration.
