When Marjorie Prosken was in her 20s, an interaction between a nurse and her young son became a moment she would never forget, ultimately leading to a decision to pursue a career in nursing later in life.

“As an Indigenous person, sometimes we get brushed off so in that moment, having a nurse who was Indigenous herself be so sweet, so caring and so attentive to my son was memorable,” said Prosken, who, at 47, is now wrapping up her nursing degree at University College of the North (UCN) in Thompson.

Prosken is still in touch with the nurse who cared for her son and takes the memory of that care experience with her as she treats her own patients. From wound care to casual chats over tea, she is driven to make each patient feel important.

“Providing that therapeutic care for them, they remember it,” she said.

As a young mom, Prosken worked for a local airline in Thompson for nearly 15 years. It was a role that involved helping passengers find solutions to their everyday airline conflicts. When her youngest child entered Grade 1 and she returned to work full-time, Prosken wanted to continue being someone people could rely on but in more impactful way.

Looking for an educational opportunity close to home, Prosken entered the bachelor of nursing program offered by UCN in partnership with the University of Manitoba, which allows students to complete their schooling and residencies while remaining in their northern community of either The Pas or Thompson.

While Prosken was drawn to nursing by a desire to take care of people, she was also motivated by her own daughter who was also pursuing a bachelor of nursing at UCN.

“She’s so strong; she went back to school when she had a little one,” said Prosken, referring to her daughter Dominque Bland. “I knew that when they were babies, there’s no way I could think of going to school with four little ones.”

Interested in health care from the time she was a child, Bland recalls her nanny (grandmother) calling her Dr. Bland or Nurse Bland. The support of family and their belief in her dreams made Bland feel more confident about making them into her reality.

When she had her son, Bland said, those dreams had new motivation.

“I knew I had to be a positive role model for him and strive to give him the best life possible,” she added.

Growing up in an isolated northern community, Bland was inspired by the nurses working at the nursing stations.

“I remember one nurse specifically telling me as a teenager that I would make a good nurse,” Bland said. “I felt so reassured at that time especially because I didn’t believe in myself and didn’t think I had what it would take.”

Completing the program alongside her mom has been an incredible opportunity to see her mother grow through the demanding process, according to Bland.

“My son and I are so proud of her and cannot wait to watch her cross that stage and receive her degree,” she said.

The thought of graduating makes Prosken emotional, representing much more than letters behind her name.

“Being Indigenous is already hard enough sometimes, and I’ve experienced and know what my patients sometimes feel like,” said Prosken, who often speaks Cree to her patients, many of whom are elderly and understand their language better. “If there are more Indigenous people in the health-care system, Indigenous people will be more receptive to receiving care.”

Likewise, Bland shared similar thoughts.

“I could not be prouder to see how many Indigenous nurses are in or coming into the profession,” Bland added. “I can only hope that others will believe in themselves and their dreams.”

The example set by the mother and daughter is inspiring the next generation. Bland’s son is already talking about becoming a nurse or pediatrician when he grows up — proof, Bland said, that she has influenced him in a positive way.

By Anya Nazeravich

Marjorie Prosken (left) with her daughter, Dominique Bland (right), at Dominique’s 2021 nursing graduation.