Nursing alumni share 'Golden Notes' of wisdom with new BScN students

From left, Tracey DasGupta with Ian Alagadan, Denika McPherson and NUS president Lauren Mage.

For the past decade, Bloomberg Nursing alumni have helped usher in each new cohort of students into the BScN program through the annual Golden Notes Ceremony.

The Golden Notes are an opportunity for alumni to submit words of encouragement, wisdom and inspiration that are shared with students as they begin their nursing journey, helping to deepen their connection to the faculty and the nursing profession. In recent years, the ceremony has evolved to include an alumni panel featuring nurses from various walks of life. These guest panellists share why they chose to become nurses and how their lived experiences have shaped their career journeys.

This year, Bloomberg Nursing was pleased to welcome back Tracey DasGupta (BScN 1991, MN 2007), director of interprofessional practice at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ian Alagadan (MN 2020), manager of professional practice, University Health Network, and Denika McPherson (MN 2021), senior business advisor and AI lead at the Ontario Ministry of Health, as panellists.

“It was a privilege for me to share words of wisdom as both a panellist and through the Golden Notes. We learn through knowledge, experience, and lessons learned, so being able to share insights, reflections and seeds of hope that may resonate with others is a small way to both give back and grow our community,” says DasGupta. “I want our new nurses to feel welcomed into our wonderful profession and have a glimpse of how much possibility lies ahead in their future. My messages often have a flavour of stepping forward into the future and co-creating it together.”

A motivational moment

During the panel, DasGupta shared her motivation for entering the nursing profession, becoming emotional as she described how her father who had muscular dystrophy inspired her to become a nurse. Her emotional response resonated with the incoming students, some of whom asked her to share how she maintained that sense of empathy and connection despite the demands of the job.

“You need to find what will be the driving compass for yourself because that will drive you forward in your profession, and you take that passion with you into the care setting wherever you go,” DasGupta says.

The panellists also shared the unique, non-linear and often “squiggly” line of their nursing journeys, inspiring the students to think about nursing in all of its forms and the many opportunities it presents.

“I was one of those nurses who really doubted themselves after nursing school,” recalls Ian Alagadan. He shared how he took advantage of the Government of Ontario’s new graduate initiative that paired new nursing graduates with a nurse in the profession and helped him land his first job out of school.

“I felt like I didn’t do much for my patients because I was so busy. But I had a patient who made an impact on my career. He reminded me that being kind to others counts as making a difference in people’s lives,” says Alagadan.

While that experience assured Alagadan he was doing a great job as a nurse, his interactions with a nurse leader in the critical care unit sparked his passion for nursing leadership after he witnessed her ability to turn a short-staffing situation into something positive. It helped motivate him to pursue the Master of Nursing Health System, Leadership and Administration program at Bloomberg Nursing, which has led him to his current role as a health system leader.

“I hope my advice will help new students cultivate resilience, compassion and a commitment to excellence in the nursing profession,” says Alagadan.

Denika McPherson reminded the students that they are not limited to working only in a hospital or traditional care setting. This mindset is what carried her through her career journey from working as a NICU nurse to critical care and eventually her current role in digital health.

“I am always going to where I want to see change. If I encounter a problem, instead of complaining, I want to see how I can fix it and focus my energy on addressing the problem. My advice is go and be the change. You can make your career path whatever you want it to be,” says McPherson.

As the panel wound to a close it was time for the students to open their envelopes. As the sound of ripping paper echoed in the room, a few students offered to read their note aloud.

“Expect the unexpected. Be open to new opportunities no matter how small or insignificant they may seem and see where your degree takes you. You will get there even if you’re not sure right now where you want to be. Sincerely, Lisa Harley, BScN Class of 1991.”

Originally published by Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing.