By Rob Paterson

Haley Regan, a Knowlton resident and soon-to-be graduate of the Soins infirmiers program at Cégep de Granby, has just returned from a life-changing three-week stage in pediatric nursing in Kampong Cham, Cambodia.

Once upon a time, Canadian nurses were trained almost entirely on hospital floors—living in residence and learning by doing. Today’s model relies more on classrooms, simulations, and commuting from home. But Haley’s experience in Cambodia felt like a plunge back into the deep end—hands-on, immersive, and intense—and it has changed her outlook on her purpose in life, the profession, and the world.

Not Just Clinical Work

Twelve-hour shifts in 35°C heat, a new language, unfamiliar food, four students to a room with rudimentary plumbing, and the ever-present weight of real medical stakes in a very different healthcare system made this journey deeply challenging.

Pediatric care in Cambodia can be heartbreaking; outcomes are not what we expect in Canada. It’s the kind of experience that strips you down to your core.

Why Go?

Why raise the funds, navigate the logistics, and sign up for such hardship?

Because, as Haley and her 12 fellow students saw it, this was the adventure of a lifetime—the kind that tests your limits and defines your path.

“You find out what you’re made of,” one student said.

The Hardest Part?

Haley is modest, but it’s clear: the emotional toll of pediatric tragedy was immense.
And yes—the food. By the end, everyone was dreaming of pizza.

What They Gained

Through shared challenges, they forged a deep camaraderie, felt gratitude toward the Cambodians who welcomed them with warmth and trust, gained respect for their instructors, and emerged with a powerful sense of personal growth.

What’s Next for Haley?

“More hands-on experience,” she says. “More learning.”

But one thing is certain: Haley has come back with the conviction that she has the heart—and the grit—to be an exceptional nurse.