Growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, Victoria Pringle had her sights set firmly on a future in education. A natural-born leader, she spent her early years teaching swimming lessons and working as a lifeguard, finding joy in nurturing and guiding young learners. Teaching seemed like the obvious path — that is, until one pivotal experience in Grade 11 completely changed her course.
“I thought I would be a teacher for the longest time,” Victoria recalls. “But something just slapped me in the face one day and said, ‘This is what you’re supposed to be doing.'”
That “something” was an innovative healthcare course introduced at her high school — a tech credit that blended classroom learning with real-world exposure to healthcare professions. As part of the course, Victoria attended a field trip to McMaster University and Mohawk College. Walking through the nursing labs, surrounded by simulations of hospital settings and medical technology, a lightbulb went off.
“I was standing there, and it just clicked — nursing wasn’t just interesting, it felt right.”
From that moment, Victoria shifted her academic focus, meeting with her guidance counselor the very next day to map out her future. While her original plan involved university, her counselor opened her eyes to the advantages of pursuing a Practical Nursing (PN) diploma first — a more attainable starting point given the intense competition for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) programs.
“She explained that I could always bridge to a BScN later,” Victoria says. “At the time, I was so set on university that college hadn’t even crossed my mind. But looking back, I can’t imagine my path going any other way.”
Victoria applied to several Practical Nursing programs and, like many aspiring students, faced a few setbacks — early rejections and waitlists. Yet she remained undeterred, a quality that would define much of her nursing career.
In 2014, she graduated from Mohawk College’s Practical Nursing program and soon after began her career as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) at Hamilton Health Sciences. Over the next 10 years — eight of them spent in the operating room — Victoria built an impressive career grounded in patient advocacy, technical skill, and compassion.
Her time in the OR not only sharpened her skills but revealed a deep appreciation for system-wide issues in the healthcare system — especially those affecting RPNs. “I knew I was doing great work and contributing, but I still saw inequities in how RPNs were being used and respected in these spaces.”
That concern sparked her interest in research and policy. Today, she’s in the final stages of publishing a research manuscript exploring RPN utilization in operating rooms — a project close to her heart.
“I think we’re missing out on the full potential of what RPNs can do in the OR. It’s about equity, but it’s also about efficiency, patient care, and teamwork.”
While she has since pursued additional education to become an RN, Victoria remains deeply proud of her RPN roots. She emphasizes that her decision to bridge to RN was not about leaving her RPN identity behind, but rather expanding her scope to better serve patients and contribute to systemic change.
“I never felt like I was leaving RPN behind. That’s a title I earned, and it’s one I’ll always carry.”
Her advocacy work extends beyond research. Victoria has also supported new grads in her unit, acting as a preceptor and mentor, and encouraging them to find their voices. She believes confidence comes from competence, and competence comes from support.
“Confidence is everything. That’s something I struggled with when I was first starting out. So, I try to instill that in others — even if they don’t believe in themselves yet, I believe in them.”
Looking ahead, Victoria’s ambitions continue to soar. She is eyeing a Master’s degree or Nurse Practitioner program and is eager to explore travel nursing opportunities across the United States. Her passion for learning and dedication to patient care make it clear that whatever direction she takes, Victoria will continue to be a force for good within the nursing profession.
Reflecting on the journey from aspiring teacher to operating room nurse, Victoria credits her success to the mentors who supported her — especially that pivotal guidance counselor who helped shift her perspective when she needed it most.
“At 16 or 17 years old, you have no clue what you want to do. Those people, the ones who really do their jobs well, have such a lasting impact. I’ll never forget her.”
For Victoria, nursing has never been just a job — it’s a passion fueled by skill, knowledge, and heart. And her RPN foundation? That’s the heartbeat of it all.
