From Hesitation to Healthcare: Jyotika’s HCA Journey at Kootenay Columbia College
Every career begins somewhere. For Jyotika, a recent graduate of the Health Care Assistant program at Kootenay Columbia College, it began with a childhood dream, a sister’s encouragement, and a decision to take that first step forward. Today, she has completed her HCA program and is ready to enter British Columbia’s healthcare workforce. Her story reflects what many prospective students in Surrey, Burnaby, Nelson, and across BC experience when considering a career change into healthcare: uncertainty at the start, and clarity by the end.
“My sister was the one who encouraged me to go for healthcare. When I was a child, I always said I want to become a nurse. She said, go for it. That is the step forward to becoming a nurse.”
That encouragement was enough. Jyotika enrolled in the Health Care Assistant program at Kootenay Columbia College and began a journey that would quickly shift from uncertainty to confidence.
What Jyotika Valued Most About the Program
When asked to describe the learning environment at Kootenay Columbia College, Jyotika’s response was consistent across multiple points: the college not only focuses on delivering content, but also on delivering it in ways that make it accessible and engaging.
“The college does not only focus on learning things. They have focused on learning with innovative ideas. They have creativity.”
Beyond the curriculum, Jyotika highlighted the college’s atmosphere as what set it apart from other institutions she had encountered. The absence of hesitation, as she described it, was significant to her. Students felt comfortable asking questions, approaching staff, and engaging with the learning process without fear of judgment.
The administrative staff received specific mention. Jyotika described the college’s responsiveness as one of the things she admired most, noting that the team replied quickly even on weekends. For a student navigating a new program, that level of accessibility carries real weight.
An Instructor Who Made the Difference
Jyotika spoke warmly about her instructor, Simran, describing her with three words: calm, friendly, and knowledgeable. In a healthcare training program where the material can be dense and the pace demanding, those qualities matter.
“She is very calm, very friendly, and she is very knowledgeable. You can go to her anytime, and she gives you very good advice, both for life and for your studies.”
This kind of instructor relationship is one that many students in health sciences programs identify as a deciding factor in their experience. The HCA program at Kootenay Columbia College is structured to give students direct access to instructors who are both professionally qualified and personally invested in student success.
Practical Training and a Well-Equipped Learning Environment
One of the distinguishing features of the HCA program at Kootenay Columbia College, according to Jyotika, was the quality of the physical learning environment and the availability of practical training resources.
“The one thing that I really love is that they have all the props ready. There is nothing missing. I have seen many colleges where there is a lack of facilities. But here, everything is right there.”
For a program like Health Care Assistant, where students must develop hands-on competencies in personal care, mobility assistance, and clinical procedures, access to proper training equipment is not a minor consideration. It is foundational to preparing graduates who are ready to function in real healthcare settings from their first day of employment. Jyotika’s observation reflects a consistent quality in how the program is delivered at Kootenay Columbia College.
Her Advice to Anyone Considering the HCA Program
When asked whether she would recommend Kootenay Columbia College to others, Jyotika’s answer was immediate.
“Definitely go for it. This college is really good. It is very reliable. I have seen very few colleges where you can go and talk without any hesitation.”
And for anyone standing at the edge of a decision, whether about the HCA program specifically or a career change more broadly, Jyotika had something to say about that too.
“Dream big. Take small moves. Even if you fear, just keep going. You do not know when and at what time you reach great heights.”
It is the kind of perspective that comes from having moved through uncertainty into clarity, which is exactly the journey the Health Care Assistant program at Kootenay Columbia College is designed to support.
About the Health Care Assistant Program at Kootenay Columbia College
The Health Care Assistant program at Kootenay Columbia College is a 24-week, PTIRU-approved program that prepares students for entry-level practice in BC’s healthcare sector. The program is built around developing the hands-on skills that healthcare employers need, with practical experience at the centre of the curriculum.
Students develop competencies in common health challenges, cognitive and mental health support, interpersonal communications, and clinical skills. A part of the program is dedicated to practice education, with students completing 270 hours of supervised placements in real healthcare settings, including multi-level and complex care facilities and home support environments. These placements give students direct experience working within care teams before they graduate.
Upon graduation, students are qualified to work in a range of healthcare settings, including Multi-Level and Complex Care facilities, Acute Care hospitals, Home Support services, Assisted Living residences, Group Homes, and Adult Day Care programs, carrying the title of Health Care Assistant (registered) or Registered Care Aide.
Watch Jyotika’s Full Testimonial:
Start Your Health Care Assistant Journey at KCC
Kootenay Columbia College’s HCA program combines clinical training, hands-on practice placements, and a supportive learning environment to prepare graduates for healthcare careers across British Columbia.
