Nursing Then & Now
Within the first five minutes of engaging with Linda Collier, her outgoing and personable nature shines through, solidifying her reputation as a binding force amongst loved ones.
Skipping formalities, she takes you from acquaintance to friend – a remarkable skill that undoubtedly contributed to her notable success within the healthcare industry.
Prior to enrolling at Medicine Hat College, Linda dreamed of becoming a teacher. It wasn’t until a close friend from her childhood suffered a life-altering brain aneurysm and stroke that fate intervened and led her to a career in nursing.
It was at that time, in 1971, that the nursing program moved from Medicine Hat General Hospital to its current residence at the college.
Back then, as a two-year diploma program, students experienced a classroom-centered, theory-based education. The hands-on part awaited learners post-graduation.
Students now work towards a bachelor’s degree that combines theory, experiential learning and access to state-of-the-art simulations, professional mentors, and multiple clinicals in a variety of settings.
“When I studied nursing, it was almost strictly books and book learning. There were no labs. When I started to work was when I was able to apply a majority of what I learned,” says Collier. “It was very challenging.”
Graduating on the Dean’s List for academic achievement, the Medicine Hat resident started working in a float position, and later moved to the surgical floor at the hospital.
“It was a big learning curve. Back in our day, we didn’t have the monitors, automatic blood pressure cuffs or equipment available that they do now. You used a lot of your own nursing skills and natural intuition.”
Taking every opportunity to hone her skills and medical techniques, Collier would soon discover she was preparing for her true passion - the emergency response (ER) unit.
Collier worked 43 years in the industry, 27 of them in emergency and “loved every minute of it.” To this day, hearing a siren from the ambulance or police will halt her in her spot and provide an immediate sense of duty.
“I liked the challenge. We saw it all. In fact, I used to say we were a master of none, but we learned a little bit about everything. In emergency we saw every type of patient there was.”
The urgency in the unit also created a lifelong bond with her team, explains Collier, describing the connection that would transpire as they were helping resuscitate a cardiac arrest or assist with a major trauma.
“You’d be able to look at each other and almost read what each was thinking. You knew what they were going to do and where they needed backup. There was a rhythm we followed when we worked as a team.”
Throughout her career, she mentored students from the college’s paramedic and nursing programs.
“I made myself available to help them learn, encouraging them to ask me anything. If I didn’t know the answer, I would learn alongside them and find out. They challenged me, kept me on my toes. I had wonderful experiences with the students.”
When asked if she had any advice for the next generation of healthcare providers, Collier shares the formula that worked for her: encouraging learners to strive for their best, always give the profession their all, and never stop learning.
