More than 4,000 students have graduated from McMaster's nursing programs. Here we meet Tracy Hobson.
Published: Oct. 30, 2018
McMaster Degree:
BScN 1997
Current position:
I currently work as a harm reduction, outreach and Hepatitis C Treatment Nurse at the Sanguen Health Centre and as an Overdose Prevention Nurse at the Guelph Community Health Centre.
What I love about my work:
I love the wonderful clients, colleagues and peers that I have the honor to work with. I love advocating for equitable treatment for every human being, no matter their sexual orientation, substance use history, or mental health disorder. I love meeting people where they are at and working from a harm reduction philosophy with creative and passionate people.
How I got here:
My first degree was a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph. At the time, I thought that I wanted to work in sports medicine. In my third year at Guelph I took a pathophysiology course and realized that my interest was in this area and not sports medicine. I decided that I wanted to become a nurse and McMaster University had the best reputation for health sciences. I applied and completed my nursing degree in three years through an accelerated program at McMaster.
My first nursing job was as a visiting nurse for about one year. Then in 1998, I got a full time position as a public health nurse with Wellington-Guelph Public Health Department where I worked for 13 years. In 2011, I left to come to the Sanguen Health Centre. Just this year, when the temporary overdose prevention centre opened, I began working part-time there as well.
The marginalized population continues to be a difficult population to reach and build relationships with. The overdose prevention site and community health van in our community have provided the medium to connect with the population in a very different way, allowing for the formation of strong, trusting relationships. We have only just begun and there is much more to accomplish.
Why I chose McMaster BScN:
McMaster University had the best reputation for health sciences.
How my experience at McMaster helped me:
I struggled with problem-based learning at McMaster. It was very different from my first degree in that I was the driver of my learning. I was responsible for finding the appropriate sources of learning as well as sometimes, what I needed to learn. Twenty years later of nursing practice and I realize that I use problem-based learning all day long every day at work! My clients have complex social and health issues requiring creative solutions in an environment that is not set up for them to succeed. My struggle became my greatest gift!