May 6 – 12 marks National Nursing Week, with this year’s theme being “Changing Lives. Shaping Tomorrow.” This theme acknowledges the significant impact nurses have on individuals, communities, and the future of healthcare.
In support of Canada’s nurses this year, we are honouring one of our remarkable Niagara College Nursing alumni, Larissa Mazzarella, who graduated from the Practical Nursing program in 2021. We caught up with Larissa to learn about her current role as a Clinical Coach for Behavioural Supports Ontario and her journey from a neuroscience background to nursing, and the influences that guided her along the way.
Current role and career path
Currently, I am a Clinical Coach for Behavioural Supports Ontario. I act as a consultant who aims to support Long Term Care Homes by mentoring staff and modelling of interventions and strategies for residents who express responsive beahviours. I get to know who the resident is – past, and present, and find creative ways to provide person-centered care based on best practices. All behaviour has meaning, and I work as a detective to figure out what support the resident requires through their expressions and understanding what contributing factors are at play. I do this by utilizing my specialized training, observation, completing evidence-based assessments, and working with the resident’s care partners to gather as much information as possible. I love my current role as I am able to collaborate so thoroughly with the resident, their care partners, and other healthcare professionals and I am able to always provide person-centred care and empower and educate others to do the same.
My professional history as a nurse includes working in a retirement setting, and at the Hamilton General Hospital on the Acute Stroke unit. Supporting vulnerable populations with neurological compromise has always been an interest and passion of mine. Prior to becoming a nurse I studied Neuroscience, volunteered in a Neuroscience Cognition Research Lab, and worked with clients who had Traumatic Brain Injury in a community-based rehabilitation program.
Influences and inspiration
I believe that indirectly my mother inspired me to follow a caring career. She was always so perceptive of the needs and feelings of her loved ones, and always extolled kindness, caring, and support and respect for all life as important virtues. Through her modelling and feeling the benefits of her support and unconditional love, I’ve had the space and ability to develop my own passion for caring for others, which is what drew me to becoming a nurse. I knew that health care was the area I wanted to grow my career in, but nursing was most attractive to me due to the holistic, hands-on focus of providing person-centered care. Through the support of my parents, I was able to pursue my academic interests and grow my knowledge base, making my path unique and deliberate to who I am individually.
Standout NC experience
Niagara College provided me with an extremely strong foundation to build from as a nurse. The emphasis was always on best practices, ethics, respect, and care for patients. NC’s nursing program was challenging because there were high expectations. I believe every nurse should hold themselves accountable to an extremely high standard, so these expectations were not only helpful in promoting learning but absolutely foundational in building a respect for the profession and an understanding of the level of responsibility we take on as health care professionals.
I had the pleasure of participating in an International Field Study Program at Niagara College program called “Be World Ready.” I went to India where I had the opportunity to learn about and explore their health care system and provide some support and outreach to communities in need. This was a truly unique experience and one that shaped my perspective on nursing and health care not only at home in Canada but internationally. While there were many wonderful people at NC, there were professors who influenced my NC experience very positively – not only in the content they taught, but the mentorship they provided and professionalism they exhibited: Cindy Ko, Mark Grabner, and Andrea Bodner.
Words of wisdom
My major piece of advice for anyone considering a career in nursing is that it is not easy to care for people with the energy and attention they deserve- emotionally, physically, and mentally – but it is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling paths before you. Remember to respect yourself as much as you respect your patients and to find balance in your life. NC’s Practical Nursing program has an emphasis on hands-on experience, which will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to feel prepared as a new grad.
