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September 14, 2026
“Seeing nurses do their job inspired me to become a nurse,” says Lina Yu, a freshly minted Registered Nurse and spring 2026 graduate of Mount Royal University. Photo by Lina Yu.
Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photo by Lina Yu
CALGARY — Dreams of a career in nursing shaped Lina Yu’s wish list since childhood, and thanks to the enthusiasm of her new colleagues at South Calgary Health Centre – Urgent Care and an exciting opportunity created by the Transitional Graduate Nurse (TGN) program, she’s living the dream.
“I've always wanted to help people. Growing up, seeing healthcare workers do their thing was inspiring. Seeing nurses do their job inspired me to become a nurse,” says Yu, a freshly minted RN and spring 2026 graduate of Mount Royal University. “I always wanted that type of leadership of taking care of other people. And I really do enjoy it now that I'm here.”
Her big brother Abdrahman, now a doctor abroad in Wales, also whetted her appetite for all things medical. As a high school student, Yu loved to volunteer and help him in medical school with his Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) — hands-on tests to see if a student can do clinical work correctly, often involving an actor posing as a patient.
“I'd ask him like, ‘Oh, when's your next OSCE? Can I help you by being a patient or help you study for it or prepare for it?’ It was always fun to collaborate with him and help him prepare for his exams.”
The 22-year-old’s path to Alberta Health Services (AHS) was seamless, thanks to having her final practicum at South Calgary Urgent Care, where she met her future manager and forged new friendships with staff. “It was a much easier transition for myself, knowing the manager, knowing the staff, knowing how things work. I wasn't as nervous about coming back.”
As well, Yu also applied for several positions through the AHS Careers website. (Contact Careers also adds a personal touch, and answers questions about career opportunities.)
“Lina completed a student placement with us and quickly stood out for her intelligence, professionalism and eagerness to learn,” says Dawn McKevitt, Care Manager, Urgent Care. “When the opportunity arose for her to continue her transition into practice through the TGN program, our staff were enthusiastic about helping her bridge the gap to independent nursing practice.
“Lina has been open to feedback, engaged in the learning process, and committed to her professional development. We are proud to have been part of her journey and are happy to continue supporting her growth as a nurse.
“One of the reasons South Calgary Urgent Care chose to participate in the Transitional Graduate Nurse program was the strength of our team and the mentorship culture that already exists within the department.”
The program supports new nursing graduates entering the workforce, and pairs nursing graduates with a clinical guide and mentor for up to 12 months during their transition to independent practice.
“We have many experienced nurses who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and supporting new graduates as they transition into practice,” adds McKevitt. “The program provides an excellent opportunity to help develop the next generation of strong emergency and urgent care nurses while ensuring they have the support and guidance needed to build confidence and clinical judgment.”
Yu appreciated the broad strokes of nursing school, which touches on many aspects of nursing, but loves the depth of experience and knowledge she’s acquiring every day on the job in her chosen urgent care specialty.
“It’s a big learning curve, but I took the challenge. The thing that keeps me going is the realization that I didn’t need to know everything on day one. I didn't have to be a brilliant person to come here and I can learn from these fantastic nurses.”
Yu’s wish list still has a few more boxes she’d like to tick off, including learning all she can about urgent care, and perhaps working bedside and in emergency later in her nursing journey. A Master’s degree may also be in her future. “I do love teaching, so I do want to go back to school and someday teach young people how to become nurses.”
But for now, as her own learning continues, she couldn’t be happier. “The number one joy of being here is how all the nurses are so very supportive on my unit. I think that unit culture is a big factor in the joy of nursing. My manager Dawn is just fantastic. She brings a lot of experience to the table.
“When I was a student, she was always kind to me, always checking on my progress. Now, in the TGN program, she facilitated me to have my orientation with amazing educators. She's always there if I need anything, and makes suggestions that help me focus on things that build my confidence as a new grad.
“It makes me want to come back every day.”
Resources:
Are you a recent graduate or in nursing school? Check out these AHS resources to get your career into high gear right here in Alberta.
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