Natalie Williams ‘15 has decided to make Grammar one of her charities of choice. As a young alumnus, she feels it is important to give back to a community that has shown its support to her.
“I give to Grammar because the overall experience improved my confidence, and the rigorous school work prepared me for post-secondary and graduate studies. I want more students to have the opportunity of that excellent experience.”
After graduating from Grammar, Natalie entered the 4-year B.Sc. Nursing Program at Dalhousie, which she competed in 2019. She wanted to go into the medical field as she enjoys caring for people, which she realized while volunteering at the IWK as a teenager. Natalie is a Registered Nurse at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater and had moved to Chester from Halifax to be closer to the hospital.
In a time of uncertainty, Natalie has definitely experienced the implications of COVID-19 firsthand, “As a healthcare professional, COVID has brought a new awareness to my practice, as well as my life outside work. I have needed to be very careful about where I go and who I interact with so I don’t spread COVID to the patients at the hospital. It has also been more stressful in the hospital, with so much unknown. The pandemic has impacted coping strategies such as travel and other hobbies, so I have had to find other relaxation strategies to help with anxiety.”
Grammar’s motto, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve” motivated Natalie to follow her passion, “Grammar’s motto impacted and inspired me to work in a service-oriented field as a Registered Nurse. My friends and teachers all supported me in choosing this career and helped me adjust my schedule the summer before grade 12 when I decided that this was what I wanted to do.”
Natalie continues to do the things she enjoys, golf, curl, and tennis, and still makes time to volunteer as a swimming official. She has acquired a passion for learning, education, and research. Natalie is now completing her Masters of Education with a focus on Health Professions online at the University of Ottawa and intends to apply for a Ph.D. in Nursing.
Grammar is grateful to Natalie for choosing to give back. Her commitment to Grammar will impact many future Grammarians.
We are thinking of Natalie and all members of the alumni community that are working in the healthcare field and wishing you well!
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