News Archives: Amanda Merrier: A Pivotal Change
Thursday, May 9th, 2024
NWP Alumni Amanda Merrier
Say hello to Amanda Merrier, an exceptional Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) alumna who has transformed her humble beginnings into a thriving career in the healthcare sector.
Several years ago, Amanda was employed as a housekeeper for Alberta Health Services. During her shifts, she would often observe the dedication and skill of health care aides at work. One day, she found herself thinking, "I can do that!" This thought, combined with a deep-rooted desire to make a real difference in people's lives, sparked a pivotal change in Amanda. She decided it was time to step up and take control of her future.
"I knew I wanted to do it at Northwestern Polytechnic because they had the new Health Education Centre at the new hospital,” Amanda reflected. "I was a little apprehensive, but I found funding, had great support from all the NWP staff, and I just jumped in".
Enrolling in the Health Care Aide program at NWP, Amanda embarked on a journey that would prove both challenging and rewarding. She began her academic journey with trepidation, unsure about how to balance school, work, and personal commitments. But Amanda was not one to back down.
Her determination to succeed saw her make the most of the support available at NWP, including approachable faculty members and library resources. She even took on a job at NWP’s theatre concession to remain connected with the community.
"I wanted to do everything. Working with NWP got me in touch more with what's available within the community. Now, as an alumna, I know more people than ever, and it was a good move," Amanda fondly remembers.
Despite her initial fears, Amanda pushed through, fully committing herself to her studies while maintaining her job. Her hard work paid off when she graduated from the Health Care Aide program with honours.
"I really am proud of myself. When I got the letter and they're like, 'you're on the honour roll,' I sent this to my mom and said, look at that, I was the kid who didn’t like school and look at me now,” Amanda recalls.
Now, Amanda is a health care aide working on a casual basis at Bentley Care Centre in central Alberta and is known for her compassion, resilience, and ability to provide comfort and happiness to the residents in her care. "Being able to connect with the residents and use my skills to ensure their wellbeing is incredible," she shares with warmth.
Amanda's journey is inspiring evidence to her determination, commitment, and the power of believing in oneself. She's an example of what one can achieve when they choose to take a leap of faith, work hard, and never give up.
As for what's next, Amanda is excited about the possibilities. "There's so many different directions you can take once you have this certification”.
