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Levi Cabahug, Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner 

What inspired you to choose your field of study?

My decision to pursue the Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (MN - NP) program was shaped by my years of experience working in remote communities in Nunavut. As an outpost nurse, I often worked in settings where access to care was limited and clinicians needed to be adaptable, independent, and resourceful. I saw firsthand how important primary care access is, especially in communities where patients may face geographic, social, and systemic barriers to receiving timely care.

Overtime, I realized that I wanted to expand my knowledge and scope so I could provide more comprehensive care to patients across the lifespan. Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) felt like the natural next step. It allowed me to build on my nursing foundation while developing advanced skills.

What inspired me most was the opportunity to return to underserved communities, be they in Nunavut or rural Nova Scotia, with a broader scope of practice and the ability to do more for patients closer to their homes.

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

I’ll never forget my first clinical placement as an MN - NP student; it was in the emergency department at Dartmouth General Hospital.

I entered the MN - NP program with several years of experience as an outpost nurse and felt confident in my nursing knowledge and clinical skills. What surprised me was realizing both how much I already knew and how much I still had to learn. I quickly discovered that while my background had provided a strong foundation, the NP role required a much broader approach to assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making.

I remember being struck by how collaborative and expansive the NP role was. NPs were not only assessing and managing patients independently, but were also working closely with physicians, nurses, specialists, and other members of the healthcare team to develop comprehensive plans of care. I remember how nerve-wracking it was and how appreciative I was to be exposed to acute cases during my first placement, and how I began to appreciate the depth of knowledge required to develop differential diagnoses and make treatment and management decisions.

That experience was significant because it challenged me to think differently and pushed me outside my comfort zone. It was the first time I truly understood the transition from being an experienced registered nurse (RN) to becoming an NP. Looking back, it marked the beginning of a tremendous period of growth and reinforced why I chose to pursue advanced practice nursing in the first place.

I am also very grateful for the communities and people I worked with in Nunavut. They shaped the clinician I am today and continue to motivate me to pursue rural and remote practice. 

Who supported you along the way and how?

I was supported by many people throughout this journey. My family, friends, professors, preceptors, and classmates all played an important role in helping me complete the program.

My brother was an especially important source of support throughout the program. He often made sure I had meals prepared and was always willing to help when needed. Whether it was helping around the house or making sure the environment was quiet enough for me to study, his support allowed me to stay focused during some of the most demanding parts of the program.

I am also very grateful for the communities and people I worked with in Nunavut. They shaped the clinician I am today and continue to motivate me to pursue rural and remote practice. Nunavummiut’s resilience, trust, and openness taught me lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom.

Is there an academic or non-academic (eg: on-campus clubs, sports, employment) experience, project, or hands-on learning opportunity that really impacted you?

My clinical placements were among the most impactful parts of my Dalhousie experience. They allowed me to apply advanced practice knowledge in real patient encounters and helped me to build confidence as I transitioned into the NP role.

One clinical placement in particular was my final practicum in primary care, during which I had the opportunity to manage a wide range of patient concerns including landmark-guided joint injections and minor surgical procedures. That experience strengthened my procedural skills and reinforced my understanding of the value of accessible primary care.

I was also fortunate to work as a clinical instructor for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students. Teaching students helped me grow as a communicator and mentor. It reminded me that leadership in nursing is not only about what you know but also about how you support others in developing their own confidence and clinical judgment.

Did you receive a scholarship, bursary or other award as a Dal student? If so, how did that impact your Dal experience and what did that support mean to you?

Yes, I received the Katherine and Robert MacDonald Award for Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice. Receiving this award was incredibly meaningful because it recognized the clinical work and experiences that brought me to the MN - NP program.

Graduate studies can be demanding, especially while balancing work, clinical placements, and teaching responsibilities. The award provided financial support and gave me encouragement and validation during a challenging part of the program. It reminded me that the work I had done in rural and remote nursing was valued and that my goal of continuing to serve underserved communities was worth pursuing.

I was also honoured to be considered for the Anna Trenholm Memorial Prize, which recognizes graduating MN - NP students who demonstrate a commitment to serving a northern or rural Canadian community. Being considered for this recognition was particularly meaningful given my years of practice in Nunavut and my continued commitment to improving access to care for underserved populations.

What does graduating mean to you?

Graduating means a great deal to me. It represents years of sacrifice and growth. I immigrated to Canada on my own many years ago, built my nursing career across different provinces and territories, and eventually found my way to advanced practice nursing.

For me, graduating is not just about earning a credential. It is about becoming the kind of clinician I always hoped to be: someone who can think critically, provide compassionate care, and contribute meaningfully to communities with limited access to care.

It also represents a new level of responsibility: becoming an NP means continuing to learn and use my skills to improve access to safe, evidence-informed, and patient-centered care.

What is next for you?

My next step is to transition into practice as a fully-fledged NP. I am especially interested in rural primary care and urgent or emergency care settings, where I can use both my nursing experience and MN - NP training to support patients across the lifespan.

I hope to continue developing additional clinical and procedural skills that will allow me to provide more comprehensive care and help improve access to services. My goal is to become an NP who can manage a broad range of patient concerns and help reduce barriers to care, particularly in communities where healthcare resources may be limited.

In the long term, I hope to continue serving rural communities in Nova Scotia and Nunavut. Throughout my career, I have seen the impact that timely access to healthcare can have on individuals and families, and I hope to contribute to strengthening healthcare services in the communities that need them most.