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Congratulations to our Dal Health Class of 2025! Get to know more of our featured grads.

For Andrea Paul-McCoy, an Indigenous nurse and Nurse Practitioner (NP) from Natoaganeg First Nation in New Brunswick, nursing was born out of a desire to address the health-care disparities in her community. Growing up in a First Nation, she saw the challenges Indigenous people face including lack of access, disparities, and cultural barriers.

"My background in emergency and critical care nursing has given me a strong foundation since 2012," she shares. "But being a nurse isn鈥檛 just about treating illness; it鈥檚 about empowering my community and ensuring our culture is respected in healthcare."

Her decision to become an NP reflects her goal to offer culturally competent care that integrates both Western medicine and traditional healing methods, addressing her community鈥檚 unique health-care needs.

Unforgettable moments at Dal

The journey to becoming an NP was challenging for Andrea. After undergoing a C-section, she traveled four hours each week from New Brunswick to Halifax with her newborn son, Conor, and supportive husband, Scott.

"It was overwhelming, but it showed my determination and the power of community," she recalls. Balancing motherhood with rigorous coursework, labs, and clinical placements was tough, but the support from peers and professors at Dal was invaluable. "

Instead of judgment, they showed compassion. It was a community where I felt celebrated, not just as a student, but as a mother, The support I received at Dal was beyond what I could鈥檝e imagined.鈥�

A strong support system

Support came in many forms: her family, including her husband, Scott, and her parents, were her pillars. Leaders in her community provided financial support which helped alleviate some of the strain caused by maternity leave. 鈥淎ll of them, in their own way, made it possible for me to achieve my dream of becoming an NP.鈥�

She also credits Dawn Googoo, her Indigenous Mentor at Dal, for helping her stay connected to her cultural roots. "Dawn reminded me to stay grounded in my culture, even when the pressures of school were intense."

Through her academic experience, Andrea gained greater first-hand knowledge of the health challenges Indigenous communities face. Her coursework, research and placements in these communities deepened her understanding of mental health, chronic disease management, and the need for culturally safe care.

"This wasn鈥檛 just academic; it was personal," she explains. Andrea鈥檚 experiences solidified her commitment to advocate for Indigenous patients and push for meaningful change in the health-care system.

What鈥檚 next?

Graduation represents more than academic success to Andrea 鈥� it鈥檚 a symbol of perseverance and empowerment. "It means I鈥檓 ready to serve my community as an Indigenous Nurse Practitioner, combining both Western medicine and our traditional teachings," she says.

With twins on the way, Andrea is even more motivated. "Having my twins strengthens my resolve to create a better future for my family and community."

Lastly, Andrea has a message for other Indigenous students: "It鈥檚 possible, no matter the obstacles. You come from a place of strength, and with the right support, you can achieve your dreams."