Graduate looks to nursing after community health board role

A Cumberland County high school graduate says her time volunteering on local community health boards (CHBs) helped shape her decision to pursue a career in nursing.

Jessica Campbell recently graduated from River Hebert District School and spent two years working with the Springhill, Oxford, Amherst and Region CHB. She recently took her volunteer passion to the Southampton, Parrsboro, Advocate and Region CHB due to shifting regional boundaries.

Jessica stumbled onto the CHB scene by accident. While filling out an online form to volunteer at the regional hospital in Amherst, she noticed an option to register for local health boards and decided to apply for both.

It was a choice she says brought her into an incredibly welcoming environment.

"I originally joined the CHBs because I wanted to make a positive impact, but the experience became so much more than I expected,” she explains. "Through collaborating with fellow members, I have developed valuable leadership skills and learned the importance of listening to and working with others."

She praised the open-minded, free-spirited nature of the meetings, which allowed her to express her thoughts alongside older members. She noted that having a wide range of generations at the table ensures the boards serve the entire community.

"It's very nice to have that large range of people and perspectives,” she says. “It’s not just a bunch of people from the same area who are the same age.”

During her tenure with the CHBs, Jessica’s favourite task was reviewing wellness fund applications to see how community ideas blossom into reality. One memorable project involved a grant that brought African Nova Scotian barbers into local schools to teach students how to style and care for textured hair.

Following graduation, Campbell will attend the Nova Scotia Community College campus in Amherst. She’s enrolled in a two-year program that offers a pathway to a university degree to earn her registered nurse designation.

Her interest in medicine was sparked by her aunt, a continuing care assistant in Ontario who frequently shared stories about the fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of healthcare.

"She just said there's something new every day and that is what I've always been looking for," Jessica says.

"Overall, it has been an unforgettable journey that has had a lasting impact on my life," she says. "I encourage other students to get involved, as the experience can be both rewarding and life changing." 

Photo of Jessica Campbell.