AMANDEEP THOOR (She/Her)

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

What brought me to KPU was the opportunity to advance my nursing career and continue growing in a profession I truly care about. After working as a Licensed Practical Nurse for many years within Fraser Health, I knew I wanted to build on my experience, expand my knowledge, and take the next step toward becoming a Registered Nurse.

KPU’s LPN-to-BSN program stood out to me because it recognized the value of my previous nursing experience while providing a clear pathway to further my education. Being part of the first Fraser Health-supported LPN-to-BSN cohort made this opportunity even more meaningful, as it allowed me to continue serving my community while working toward my goal.

I began the program only a few months after having my youngest child, while balancing work, school, and life as a mother of three. It was a challenging season, but choosing KPU was one of the most important decisions I have made for myself and my family. KPU gave me the opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and personally, and it helped me build the confidence and foundation I needed to transition into my role as a Registered Nurse.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in Neurosciences at Royal Columbian Hospital. In my role, I care for patients with complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions, including patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, spinal surgeries, and other acute neurological concerns.

My day-to-day responsibilities include completing neurological and physical assessments, monitoring changes in patient condition, administering medications and treatments, providing post-operative care, supporting patient safety, and collaborating closely with physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. I also spend a lot of time supporting patients and families by providing education, reassurance, and compassionate care during very stressful and vulnerable moments.

This role allows me to use my clinical knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and advocacy skills every day while continuing to grow as a Registered Nurse.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

The skills, knowledge, and experiences I gained at KPU have been extremely valuable in my transition from LPN to Registered Nurse. KPU helped me strengthen my critical thinking, clinical judgment, leadership, communication, and evidence-informed practice, which I now use every day in my RN role.

One of the most valuable parts of my KPU experience was learning to look at patient care more holistically. The program encouraged me to think beyond individual tasks and consider the full patient picture, including assessment findings, patient history, family needs, safety concerns, and changes in condition. This has been especially important in my current role in Neurosciences, where patients can change quickly and strong assessment skills are essential.

My clinical and preceptorship experiences also helped build my confidence. They gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge in real practice settings, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, advocate for patients, and develop stronger communication with patients and families. KPU also helped me grow as a leader by teaching me to be more reflective, accountable, and confident in my nursing practice.

Overall, KPU gave me the foundation, confidence, and professional growth I needed to step into my role as a Registered Nurse and continue providing safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

My advice to current KPU students is to believe in yourself, stay committed, and keep going even when the journey feels difficult. There will be moments when balancing school, work, family, finances, and personal responsibilities feels overwhelming, but every challenge is helping you grow into a stronger professional.

Take every learning opportunity seriously, whether it is in the classroom, lab, clinical placement, or preceptorship. Ask questions, accept feedback, build strong relationships with your instructors and peers, and do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Confidence does not come all at once; it grows through practice, reflection, and experience.

I would also encourage students to stay humble, compassionate, and open to lifelong learning. A successful career is not only about gaining knowledge, but also about building strong communication, leadership, critical thinking, and advocacy skills.

I would also encourage students to lean on their support systems. For me, the support of my family played a very important role in helping me complete the program while balancing work, school, and being a mother of three. Having people who believed in me and supported me through the difficult moments made a big difference in my journey.

Most importantly, remember why you started. Your hard work, dedication, and resilience will open doors and prepare you for meaningful opportunities after graduation.