From Career Fair to care team: How one connection helped Michael Patterson begin his journey

Michael Patterson had no idea he was just one conversation away from a brand-new chapter of his life when he walked through the doors of the Provincial Career Fair hosted by Nova Scotia Health in March. As a direct result of going to the fair, Michael is now a health support aide in the Medical/Surgical Unit at Cape Breton Regional Hospital. It’s an experience he describes as humbling and inspiring.

After hearing about the fair from friends, “I went to the booth and got lots of information,” he recalled. “I was greeted by sunshine. They had beautiful smiles and welcomed me.” He connected with Rebecca Dupuis, a Nova Scotia Health talent acquisition specialist in Cape Breton that he met that day. “We emailed back and forth. I didn’t get in right away, but she spoke to someone and eventually found me the right opportunity.”

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Originally from Manchester, in central Jamaica, Michael’s search for a better life and a fresh start brought him to Canada in 2018. “I thought I had outgrown my profession as a teacher and wanted more,” he explained, adding that his desire for growth, personally and professionally, led him to nursing.

As a single parent, Michael’s two sons are the driving force behind his motivation. “My boys are what made me want to become a teacher, a friend and a great father,” he shared. “They shaped me into who I am. I couldn’t have become the man I am today without my boys. I wanted to impact, to change.” That sense of purpose continues to drive him as he pursues his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Cape Breton University.”

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Now part of the Medical/Surgical team, Michael says the experience has been life-changing. “It’s a beautiful team of people, beautiful leaders and nurses,” he says. “They’re helping me see who a nurse really is and understand the different scopes. A nurse is a superhero.”

Working in a hospital while studying to become a nurse provides an invaluable perspective, according to Michael. “I didn’t want to do nursing without personal experience,” he explained. “I wanted to go where all the nurses are, so that I could learn.” His hands-on experience helped him connect classroom learning with real-life situations. I am a visual learner, so when my professors are teaching, I can see what they mean. It gives me a firm grasp of the concepts.” 

Looking ahead, Michael envisions a career focused on mental health and men’s wellness. “I see myself touching lives and leaving a legacy,” he says. “I’m looking at policy changes to make a real impact. I have to do my part before I leave this place.”

For now, Michael says he’ll continue to learn, grow and serve with gratitude. “I’m learning how to understand the language of the healthcare system and how to empathize with people,” he says. “I love the people in Cape Breton; there are so many beautiful people here.”

From a career fair connection to a hospital team, Michael Patterson’s story is a shining example of how one opportunity can change a life. 

The 2025 Provincial Career Fair drew nearly twice as many attendees as the year before, welcoming more than 5,000 guests and leading to 300 hires and counting! 

Events like these continue to connect passionate healthcare professionals, like Michael, with meaningful careers across the province. 

Interested in joining Nova Scotia Health? Explore current opportunities at www.nshealth.ca/careers

Photos of Michael Patterson and his two children.