When Bea Fajardo graduated with her nursing degree and got her license as a nurse in the Philippines in 2012, she imagined a future caring for patients. But life took her in a different direction.
Due to insufficient compensation for nurses in the Philippines and her decision not to relocate at the time, Bea chose to pursue a career in banking. She spent five years working in the banking industry before eventually settling in Calgary in 2018. It was after arriving in Calgary that she began thinking about returning to healthcare and pursuing the career she had originally trained for.
To get her foot in the door, Bea accepted a position as a Medical Office Assistant at a family physician’s clinic. While she enjoyed working in a medical setting again, she couldn’t shake the feeling that nursing was where she truly belonged.
Determined to make that dream a reality, Bea completed the requirements to become a registered nurse in Canada and successfully passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in 2023.
“I proved to myself that I still had it,” she says. “Passing the NCLEX was something I was incredibly proud of. I remember thinking, ‘Even if no one hires me, that’s okay.’ I had already proven to myself that I could do it, and that alone meant so much to me.”
Without the clinical hours required to maintain her nursing license, Bea felt that her dream of becoming a nurse might be slipping away.
Unsure of what the future held for her nursing career, Bea began exploring other opportunities. In April 2024, she joined the Prostate Cancer Centre as an administrative team member. She was grateful for the opportunity, but she never imagined that it would eventually lead her back to nursing.
During a team-building event, Bea overheard a conversation about a new nursing position. She shared that she was a registered nurse but explained that she had graduated years earlier and had no clinical experience. She had also accepted the fact that she wouldn’t be able to renew her license because she didn’t have enough practice hours.
That conversation changed everything.
With encouragement from the team, Bea contacted the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta to learn what was needed to renew her license. The Prostate Cancer Centre supported her throughout the process, and once her license was renewed, the nursing team provided the training, mentorship, and confidence she needed to step into her new role.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Bea says. “I’m so grateful, especially to Arjuni Seevaratnam (Director of Medical Operations), for believing in me and giving me this great opportunity. The nursing team has been so supportive and so patient. They trained me, encouraged me, and helped me grow. I truly love working here.”
Today, Bea is doing exactly what she set out to do more than a decade ago caring for patients.
One of the most rewarding parts of her role is building lasting relationships with the men she supports throughout their cancer journey.
“We follow our patients over the long term, so you really get to know them,” she says. “Being able to answer their questions, educate them, and walk alongside them throughout their journey is incredibly fulfilling.”
She is equally grateful for the team around her.
“I feel very lucky to be in this position. My coworkers have been the most encouraging people, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team.”
Bea’s story is a reminder that careers don’t always follow a straight path. With determination and people who believe in your potential, it’s never too late to return to the work you love.