My Why: ‘Every day feels like a full circle moment’ for former-patient-turned-clinical-extern James Ehiagwina

In the early weeks of 2019, not long after my family and I immigrated to Canada, I found myself in a place I never expected — as a patient at SickKids. I was just 15 years old at the time, new to the country and trying to adjust to a new home, a new life and a new culture.

It all began with an intense pain in my upper leg that wouldn’t go away. At first, I thought it was something simple, maybe muscle strain or fatigue, so I took some pain medication, rested and tried to push through. But the pain kept getting worse. Soon, I developed a fever and hives and I could barely walk. 

James in 8C, the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit in 2019 after he was admitted to SickKids. 

My family took me to our local emergency department, where I went through countless tests and assessments, but no one could figure out what was wrong. As my condition worsened, I remember being transferred to SickKids overnight. That’s where my journey as a patient began. 

I spent roughly about two months at SickKids, starting in the emergency department, then the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), undergoing a couple of surgeries and eventually recovering on 8C, the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit. It was a difficult and uncertain time. I was young and scared, but even in those moments, I was surrounded by an incredible team who cared for me — not just as a patient, but as a person.  

My Nurse Practitioner Charis Kelly, my Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Joel Fish, my Child Life Specialist Maureen Carney, and the entire team at 8C showed so much compassion and understanding at a time when my family and I were unfamiliar with the healthcare system and adjusting to life in a new country. They supported both my dad and me throughout our long stay, patiently answering every question and ensuring we were always informed and consulted on decisions. Their approach went beyond clinical tasks; the team treated us holistically, seeing us as people rather than just a medical case. Charis consistently entered the room with a positive attitude and a smile, often saying “amazing” when referring to my progress, and it’s a word that has stayed with me to this day.

This truly “amazing” team managed to bring so many moments of joy into those hospital days. Child Life Specialists played games and watched movies with me. I still recall flipping through the movie binder every night and the card games that brightened my afternoons.  

I very fondly remember celebrating my 15th birthday in the hospital. I will never forget coming back to my room after being away for just a few minutes — only to find it completely decorated with streamers, stickers and a chocolate cake waiting for me. What probably seemed like small gestures to the staff meant the world to me. Those moments brought light into one of the darkest times of my life. 

What inspired me most was how the team combined professionalism with genuine empathy. For example, during moments of uncertainty, they took time to explain procedures in simple terms, which eased our anxiety and built trust. This experience shaped the nurse I aspire to be: a nurse who prioritizes clear communication, family involvement, and emotional support alongside clinical excellence. I strive to bring that same positivity and holistic care to my patients and ensure they feel seen, heard, and valued, just like the team on 8C made me feel. 

Now, almost five years later, I am incredibly proud and grateful to be back at SickKids — but this time, not as a patient. Today, I am here working as a nursing clinical extern, working right across from the unit where I once recovered, on the bone marrow transplant unit, 8B. I am also so grateful to have received the SickKids 2025 Award for Black Nursing Students, which supports increased representation and inclusion in the paediatric nursing field. This award will allow me to complete a clinical placement during my final semester this year. 

Every day feels like a full-circle moment. It’s surreal to walk the same halls where I once lay in a hospital bed, now helping to care for other children and families facing their own challenges. 

I have the privilege of providing direct patient care under the supervision of nurses as an extern. This role allows me to continue developing my paediatric clinical skills in a setting where medicine is both intricate and deeply human. Working on a unit like 8B, where our kids are very ill and often in isolation for extended periods, I strive to bring joy and comfort to them, which is truly the highlight of my experience.  

Paediatric nursing truly reflects the balance between science and art, combining evidence-based assessments and treatments with empathy, compassion, and holistic care. On a day-to-day basis, my responsibilities include performing physical health assessments such as vital signs, offering respite and psychosocial support to families, setting up enteral feeding systems, preparing IV lines and completing safety checks on equipment. Every task contributes to meeting the diverse needs of patients and families on 8B, and each interaction reinforces my commitment to delivering care that is both clinically excellent and emotionally supportive. 

Working at SickKids isn’t just a job for me — it’s very personal. It’s where I learned what true compassion and excellence in healthcare look like. My experience here inspired me to pursue nursing and affirms my dream to become a paediatric registered nurse, so I can give back to the same hospital and community that gave me hope and healing when I needed it most. 

To me, SickKids represents more than a hospital. It represents courage, compassion and resilience. Now, as part of this amazing team, I hope to be that same light for someone else, the way others once were for me.