For Simran Bir, pursuing a career as a nurse was a slam dunk.
Born with hearing loss, Simran has had a long history with the health-care system. Added to that are stories she’d heard from her nurse-aunt, which inspired her to become a nurse herself.
When the time came to choose a post-secondary institution, Douglas stood out. Her aunt – a Douglas grad – recommended it, plus Simran found it the perfect fit for her and her goals.
“The community vibe of a Douglas was warm and welcoming and – perhaps most importantly – it was the only school that was supportive of me doing a full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing program while also playing varsity basketball,” says Simran.
Simran started playing basketball in high school. She was a natural and developed a strong passion for the game, which led to her being offered a spot on the Douglas College Royals women’s basketball team. Fast-forward five years, and she’s about to graduate - and has officially hung up her jersey. But she says the skills she developed playing basketball will benefit her as a nurse.
“It wasn’t easy balancing basketball with a full-time nursing program, and still finding time for work, family and friends.
Effective time management was essential, and it’s an important skill for nursing. Through basketball I’ve also learned how to work under pressure and communicate with a team. These skills have helped me grow as a person and will translate into my future career.”
Despite retiring from the Royals, Simran hasn’t given up basketball. She still plays recreationally and hopes to return to coaching high school or club basketball, which she did during throughout her time at Douglas.
“I want to give back to the community and share my knowledge with the younger generation,” she says.
So it’s no surprise that once she becomes a nurse, she wants to work with kids.
“The connections I made with the children and their families during my pediatric rotation were very rewarding,” she says. “And, on the pediatric ward, you work with such a range of ages, so it keeps me on my toes, which I love.”
Photo by David Denofreo
