Local Indigenous nursing student receives award from BC Scholarship Society

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —  Fort St. John’s Jaidyn Goertzen was one of 326 Indigenous students to receive more than $1.4 million in awards from the BC Scholarship Society.

For Goertzen, a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia, the $3,000 she received has helped her reach the end of her schooling in the bachelor’s of nursing program at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Goertzen is already looking forward to her next chapter, which won’t take her far from home.

“I have a job already awaiting me through Northern Health,” said Goertzen. “I’ll be around and out helping within the community.” 

The 21-year-old has applied for over half a dozen scholarships in order to pursue her academic goals.

According to Goertzen, the nursing program’s heavy workload has put her at a disadvantage compared to students in other programs. 

“I’m definitely grateful,” said Goertzen. “That’s the word I’d use to describe receiving this scholarship. I had a part-time job my first couple of years of school, but I had to quit due to my program being so immersive.”

“My practicum almost feels like having a job. The assignments amounted to me being unable to work my last two years of school. So, getting scholarships has been so helpful.”

According to Goertzen, her mother Robin recommended the possibility of applying for the award. 

“She’s always finding these little things to help me along the way,” said Goertzen.

The awards were presented to qualifying students in a virtual ceremony that took place in Victoria on January 30th.