Meet Jinu Varghese, registered nurse, St. Joseph’s General Hospital

Jinu Varghese emigrated from India to Canada with ambitious career goals. A registered nurse (RN) who had worked in the neonatal intensive care unit, she was eager to continue her fulfilling profession while building her skills. 

After working as a health care aide for a few years in Canada, Jinu enrolled in the licensed practical nurse (LPN) program at NorQuest College. She began a practicum at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Vegreville and quickly took a shine to the hospital and small rural town. 

“It’s a small, quiet community, and most of us (at the hospital) know the people who live here,” Jinu says. “Vegreville is a really nice community to work with.”

Jinu accepted a position at St. Joseph’s as an LPN soon after graduating and was delighted to put down roots in the welcoming community. But it wasn’t long afterward that she was inspired to begin training as an RN — a journey she says was made smoother by her encouraging colleagues and mentors at the hospital. 

“They helped me with each and every step,” Jinu says. “They were so supportive and gave me lots of opportunities to learn and take educational leave while I worked as an LPN.”

Two years later, Jinu graduated and accepted another position at St. Joseph’s — this time as an RN in the emergency department (ED). The dynamic environment and collaborative team offer endless opportunities to satisfy her craving for continuous learning, she says. 

“Our team is really helpful; sometimes I’m the only RN in the ED, but staff from other units will come help if I need them,” Jinu says. “And my manager always lets me know if there are courses coming up and is great about sending information about more opportunities.”

Jinu says the support from her colleagues and many opportunities inherent in rural nursing have been foundational to her flourishing career in Canada. 

“I really recommend every nurse work in a rural setting,” Jinu says. “There are lots of educational opportunities to help you grow your skills as a nurse.”