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Congratulations to our 2025 fall graduates! We're so proud of what you've accomplished. Read more of our convocation features.

Name: Christina Wakim
Pronouns: She/Her
Program/Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Hometown: Charlottetown, PEI/Ottawa, ON

What inspired you to choose your field of study?

Nursing wasn’t initially on my radar when I began university in 2015. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare but wasn’t certain which path would be the best fit. I started a degree in Biology and eventually completed a Bachelor of Human Kinetics in 2020. While I truly enjoyed studying kinesiology, I realized I wanted something more. I wanted to work more at the bedside, and care for patients not only physiologically but also emotionally.

In 2022, while I was living abroad, my father was in and out of hospitals for treatment, and I was visiting clinics for tests on my knee. Both of us faced the challenge of navigating care in a country where language barriers made it difficult to communicate our needs. My father would often say that it was the nurses who made him feel comfortable and reassured during uncertain times. I had similar experiences, nurses were the ones who listened, comforted, and supported me when I felt stressed. That experience changed everything for me. I realized I wanted to be that person for others, to care for people in the way nurses do, advocate for them, and be their voice when they cannot express their own needs.

What was a moment at Dal that you’ll never forget?

There were many memorable moments throughout my time at Dalhousie, such as being elected class representative in semester five, creating funny presentation videos with classmates, or studying late into the night at coffee shops before exams. But one moment that I won’t forget is Halloween 2022, when I dressed up as Shadow Health, one of our required virtual learning platforms.

At the time, we had numerous assignments using the program, and I knew it was a source of stress for many students. To lighten the mood, I created a costume modeled after the home screen of the program and handed out candy to anyone who asked me questions like they would to the virtual patient. It was a hit among both students and professors, and to this day, people still mention how funny and creative the costume was! Although it might seem like such a small moment, I think this day really reflected what kind of nurse I want to be. One that actively listens to people’s concerns, and that can address them with compassion, empathy, a smile and a joke or two!

Who supported you along the way and how?

When I moved to Halifax in 2023, I only knew a handful of people in town and felt a little nervous about starting school and making friends all over again. Thankfully, I found a wonderful group of kind, funny and charismatic friends in class who supported me in my journey with so many jokes, coffee breaks, study sessions and carpool rides around town while talking about life and our placements. I instantly felt at home in this new city because of them!

In semester 5, I was also elected as class representative and have my fellow class rep Myles to thank for being the reasonable and logical one of the two of us, especially when our responsibilities and classes began to feel overwhelming.
Our professors were also exceptional, often going above and beyond their teaching hours to ensure we felt supported in both our studies and placements. (A special thank you to Professors Nadine Ezzeddine and Karen Curry!) And of course, I can’t finish this question without thanking God for my wonderful and loving husband Kyle, and my family back home, who all knew I had so much potential and encouraged me to keep searching for a career that would give me as much purpose and satisfaction as nursing.

Is there a course/research topic/placement or project that really impacted you?

In semester six, I completed a service-learning project as my elective, guided by Professor Shauna Houk and my mentor from IWK Health, Chelsea Coady. Our project focused on enhancing the preceptorship experience for both nurses and undergraduate nursing students. What began as a small class project quickly evolved into something much larger than I could have imagined.

I was honored to present our work at several events, including Grand Rounds at IWK Health in December 2024, the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Conference in Halifax in January 2025, and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress in Helsinki, Finland, in June 2025. What started as a small idea and class requirement turned out to be incredible learning experience that ignited my passion for quality improvement and health innovation.

What does graduating mean to you?

Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, one where I can apply the knowledge, skills, and compassion I’ve developed throughout my studies to my nursing practice. I’m excited to begin working full-time and to continue learning from every experience. At the same time, I’m deeply grateful for the past two years, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the wonderful people who have shared this journey with me.

What is next for you?

So, what’s next! Well for starters, I am working full-time at IWK Health as a labor and delivery nurse and absolutely love it. I also hope to become more involved in the Nova Scotia Nurses Union to advocate better physical and psychological safety in the workplace.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue developing the preceptorship project and explore additional quality improvement initiatives within my unit. I have a strong interest in research and evidence-based practice, and I look forward to contributing to meaningful changes that enhance both the nursing work environment and the care we provide to our patients and communities.