Audrey Han was a Montreal-based cosmetics marketer when she decided to take the plunge and become a nurse.
“I thought if I die doing marketing, I would feel like my life was a waste not doing anything better than this,” Han said.
Marketing had taken a toll on her physical and mental health in Montreal, working 70 hours a week.
“I was hospitalized and had to take a year off to heal my health,” Han said. “I’m grateful for that privilege.
“But in that process, I was probably at the darkest, most depressed point in my life because I couldn’t pull those crazy hours of work,” she said.
Despite her business degree, she decided to pursue something she had always wanted and help people. Han started looking for nursing programs and came to Humber.
“Every time I feel like this semester is too much, I just remind myself how depressed I was a year ago, thinking that I could never change my life,” she said.
Han said it is important to remember that even those who seem to have it together, do not necessarily have it together.
“We need to be transparent that sometimes we’re falling apart, and it’s okay,” she said. “You don’t need to make it to the finish line unscathed. It’s okay too, if you end up crawling to the finish line.”
Han said during adversity, even if the family is unsupportive, having a community of friends is helpful.
“Sometimes it can feel lonely, like a hole in your chest, and you just wish you had family support,” she said. “Remember to lean on your friends because nobody should have to go through it alone.”
Han said being grateful for where she is today helps her get through the hard days. She hopes to return to the cosmetic industry as a nurse.
“I want to join the plastic surgery side of things. It’s not necessarily helping save lives, but I can still help people feel better and happier,” Han said.