Her Journey, Her Timeline

As the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing celebrates Spring Convocation, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduate Jalene Dease (BSN’26) is reaching a milestone that represents far more than the completion of a degree. It reflects resilience, determination, and the courage to follow her own path.

Dease’s journey to completing her undergraduate nursing education has been anything but “traditional”.

For Dease, crossing the convocation stage represents a path shaped by uncertainty, setbacks, and ultimately, a deep commitment to her goal of becoming a registered nurse.

After high school, Dease took time to figure out her next steps before deciding to pursue nursing. She then worked for a year in long-term care (LTC) as a health care aide (HCA) to better understand the profession.

“I worked in LTC as a HCA to see if I could handle working in health care,” said Dease.

Once she started her post-secondary education, it took her across multiple programs, institutions, and provinces.

“When I was taking open studies at Red Deer College, I struggled to find my place,” said Dease. “I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere and I was just floating around. But when I ended up in Arts and Sciences at Grant MacEwan, I loved it.”

The majority of nursing programs in Alberta are direct entry and use high school grades for admission. When Dease started applying to nursing schools because she had some post-secondary education completed, they used her university marks and she found herself competing with high school students for admission.

“I loved Edmonton, but I returned to Red Deer where I was accepted into nursing,” said Dease.

Despite loving her nursing studies in Red Deer, Dease faced a major obstacle during her final year. Ongoing health challenges forced her to withdraw just before completing her degree.

“I pushed my health to its brink and ended up withdrawing in my final year,” she said.

“I was no longer retaining information and was not fit to practice. This was, to this day, the most difficult choice I’ve ever had to make.”

Refusing to give up, she continued taking Arts and Sciences classes part-time at the University of Augustana, while focusing on her health.

Eventually, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a return home to Saskatchewan, bringing her one step closer to a life-long goal.

“Living in a remote northern Saskatchewan community, it was always the goal growing up that I would attend the University of Saskatchewan,” said Dease.

“When my mom moved to Alberta it seemed more convenient to go with her and to take my studies there, but I always wished I would have stuck to my original plan. When I got into the BSN program at USask in 2023, it truly felt as if I was meant to be there all along.”

At USask, Dease found the sense of belonging she had been searching for.

Surrounded by peers across the health sciences and supported by strong faculty, she was able to fully engage in her program and grow into her role as a future registered nurse.

“I have had incredible faculty, teachers, and preceptors throughout my program at USask, which I feel has made a great deal of difference,” said Dease.

Her fourth-year preceptorship at St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) in Saskatoon stands out as a defining experience of her program. Working in the float pool allowed her to build confidence on multiple units, while learning from experienced nurses who made a lasting impact.

USask Nursing’s Michelle Patterson (BSN'12, MN'21) and preceptor, Chris Coxon, played key roles in shaping that experience.

“If you have the privilege of taking NURS 321 with Michelle Patterson, you’ll know what a blessing she is,” said Dease.

“Chris Coxon at SPH is a nurse who loves to teach and shares his expertise generously.”

She recalls one memorable shift during the Toronto Blue Jays’ playoff run in 2025, when Coxon set up a TV in the hallway so staff, patients, and families could stay connected to the game.

“The unit was buzzing, families stayed to visit longer, and patients seemed more at ease,” said Dease. “It was, aside from the score, a great shift.”

As she prepares to write the National Council Licensure Examination in June and begin her career as a registered nurse, Dease is looking forward to bringing that same sense of connection and care into her practice.

“I plan to work in rural emergency in my hometown,” said Dease.

“During nursing school just when you start to feel comfortable in an environment, it’s time to move on. I’m excited for stability. It will be nice to find my place, continue to grow my knowledge, and one day be that source of information for a nursing student.”

Dease is also already thinking ahead to advancing her nursing education, with the goal of returning to USask and becoming a nurse practitioner.

“The more I learn, the more I want to learn,” she said.

Dease hopes by sharing her story, it will encourage others who may feel discouraged if their path doesn’t look the way they expected.

“The reason I share this journey is because it is so common to feel like it’s the end of the world if you don’t finish your nursing degree in four years,” said Dease.

“But let me tell you, life happens!”

Instead of focusing on timelines, she says to prioritize growth, resilience, and purpose.

“You can be bitter, or you can become better,” said Dease.

“While part of the goal is to cross convocation stage in four years, the ultimate goal is to graduate a safe and competent nurse, so always keep that in the forefront of your mind when life doesn’t seem to be turning out as planned.”

When asked what advice she would offer current students, Dease emphasized the importance of connection and engagement. “Get involved, go to class, and get to know people in your program. Share your notes – there is enough room for everyone at the top, so worry less about competing and learn to become a good team member. Focus on constructive feedback and be part of the change, not the problem – you will learn much more this way.”

Reflecting on her own education, Dease also encourages students to think carefully about what type of nursing program best suits them. “Personally, I would not have been ready to go into a direct entry nursing program right out of high school, and that’s something everyone needs to consider,” she said.

“I really appreciated taking my prerequisites first and not having to complete them alongside my nursing courses.”

Dease’s journey is a powerful reminder there is no single path to success and sometimes, the most meaningful journeys are the ones that take a little longer.