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Meaghan Mead’s journey from aesthetician to nurse was sparked by the pandemic and shaped by hands-on work with vulnerable populations in Fredericton.

When University of New Brunswick graduand Meaghan Mead crosses the stage at UNB’s Encaenia ceremony on May 27, she won’t just be celebrating the completion of her bachelor of nursing degree—she will be stepping into a career path shaped by connection, empathy and practical experience.

A Fredericton resident and mother of three, Mead spent eight years building her career as an aesthetician before the COVID-19 pandemic brought it to a halt. Like many, the uncertainty of that time reshaped her life and prompted her to reconsider her future.

“When the pandemic hit, I had young children at home and my career was suddenly on pause,” said Mead. “It made me realize I needed something different, but where I could still work with people and help them.”

That reflection led her to apply to the nursing program at UNB’s Fredericton campus. This decision not only transformed her career path but gave her a renewed sense of purpose.

Throughout her four-year program, Mead explored a variety of nursing specialties. Ultimately, she found the most interest in her summer placement at the Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre, where she worked alongside Ali McGill, an assistant professor in the faculty of nursing and health sciences and a practising nurse practitioner, and Tricia van Roeden, a registered nurse and UNB nurse manager.

There, Mead and a team of students and clinical instructors provided outreach services that support vulnerable populations, including persons experiencing homelessness and newcomers to Canada.

“Having the opportunity to work at the clinic in outreach changed everything for me,” said Mead. “After that experience, I knew 100 per cent this is the kind of work that I want to do.”

Twice a week, Mead and her fellow students worked with organizations such as the John Howard Society and the Ironwood Resource Centre, where they would deliver care directly to individuals in the community.

Under the guidance of UNB registered nurses and McGill, Mead gained exposure to a wide range of clinical and community-based settings, from wound care and blood work, to supporting refugee health clinics and individuals experiencing homelessness.

“You never know what you’re going to encounter,” said Mead. “It could be something as simple as a bandage or something much more serious that requires a follow-up appointment with a registered nurse or nurse practitioner.”

These unpredictable environments accelerate learning in ways traditional clinical placements often cannot. Without full medical histories or advanced equipment, students rely heavily on their understanding of basic medical sciences, clinical judgment and teamwork.

“Experiences like this prepare future nurses to provide person-centred care to diverse and often underserved populations within our communities,” said van Roeden. “I have seen firsthand how meaningful this experience is for nursing students. They often describe outreach as one of the most impactful parts of their education.”

“It really sharpens your assessment skills, your confidence and your ability to recognize when something isn’t right,” said Mead. “When you’re working in outreach, you’re often the first point of contact for that person. You are it in that moment.”

Equally important is the human connection. Working with individuals facing complex health and social challenges deepens students’ understanding of the ways in which care, empathy and decision-making all interconnect.

“In the classroom, scenarios can seem straightforward,” Mead said. “But when you’re working with real people, you realize how complex care truly is and how important it is to prioritize based on your own clinical judgment.”

Her experience also highlighted the broader factors that influence health, from housing and income to mental health and access to care. For Mead, McGill’s leadership in this area left a lasting impression.

“To watch how she connects with patients is incredible,” said Mead. “That level of empathy, communication and deep understanding of our health systems is something you can’t fully learn in a classroom. Seeing it in practice is very contagious. You're like, ‘I want to be more like that.’”

Mead hopes to continue working in community-based and outreach nursing, building on the relationships and experiences that shaped her journey.

“I’ve been able to see the impact of this work first-hand,” she said. “It’s where my passion is.”