This series of feature stories highlights those in the Trafalgar community during this time of isolation. We discuss what they’re currently up to, what their isolation experience has been and how they’re getting through.
In Conversation with Julia Coffin, Class of 2010
As a frontline worker at a downtown Toronto hospital, Julia Coffin, Class of 2010, is in the thick of the COVID-19 crisis.
Normally, Julia’s a Registered Nurse on the Orthopedic and Neurology floor at St. Michael’s Hospital but that quickly changed when the pandemic hit and her floor was converted into a COVID Investigation Unit. “St. Mike’s has great support systems in place,” Julia says. “They check in with staff and their spiritual team is great at making sure you’re okay and supported.”
Julia’s interest in nursing started back when she was in Grade 12 at the Castle. “Trafalgar provided me with a lot of opportunities to explore what I wanted to do,” she says. “Programs and co-curriculars were accessible and I wasn’t afraid to explore new things.” One of those opportunities was a field trip to Sunnybrook Hospital and Lyndhurst Hospital. “We learned about the risks related to youth trauma and I remember looking at a trauma bay and realizing this might be my calling,” she says.
While her interest in nursing was sparked early on, her journey to becoming a nurse wasn’t a straight line. “After graduating from Trafalgar I spent a couple of years working and then in 2013 I enrolled in the Practical Nursing program at Durham College,” says Julia. She then went on to Centennial College’s Bridging to University Nursing program and in 2018 graduated from Ryerson University as a Registered Nurse. Currently, Julia’s completing her Masters in Nursing at the University of Toronto.
While nursing can be a grueling career, what drives Julia is the joy she finds helping others. “I love making a difference in people’s healing experience,” she says. “Even if that means putting yourself on hold to be present for your patients.”
About Julia
Career:
- Registered Nurse at St. Michael’s Hospital
House:
- Maxwell
Favourite Teachers:
- Mme. Begy, Mr. Southwell, Mrs. Kanagalingam and Ms. Cassidy
Advice to grads:
“Don’t be afraid not knowing what you want to do with your life. If you need to take some time before going to a post-secondary institution to figure out what you really want, do it.”
Interested in being featured?
If you would like to share your story, highlight your business, share your isolation experience or some words of wisdom with our students, please reach out any time to our Alumnae Relations Officer, Sarah Harries-Taylor.
Support Trafalgar businesses:
If you want to explore and support some amazing businesses owned and operated by members of the Trafalgar community, check out our Business Directory where you’ll find so many successful operations worthy of all of our support!