From India to Bridgewater, Viola Prabhu found her calling as a Nurse Practitioner

Growing up in southern India, Viola Prabhu knew she wanted to live abroad someday, working in a career that would allow her to help others. Today, those goals have brought her to Nova Scotia, where she works as a nurse practitioner serving patients in both primary care and long-term care in the Bridgewater area.

"I've always wanted to care for people," Viola says. "Helping and serving others has always been my main motivation."

Born and raised in Mangalore, India, Viola completed a four-year Bachelor of Nursing degree there before spending three years working in a cardiac intensive care unit. While she loved nursing, she had dreams of exploring new opportunities and building a future abroad.

Her journey to Canada began as an international student at Conestoga College in Ontario, where she completed additional studies to help bridge her credentials and continue her nursing career.

Viola moved to Nova Scotia in 2018 to join her husband who also worked as a nurse in Bridgewater. While navigating her nursing licence requirements, she worked as a continuing care assistant, gaining valuable frontline experience and building connections within her new community.

"The whole time, I kept learning," she says. "Every role taught me something important."

Those early experiences would help shape the healthcare provider she is today.

Viola then worked as a registered nurse in long-term care before taking on a director of care role during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wanting to broaden her experience, she later moved into acute care nursing at South Shore Regional Hospital.

Around a year after welcoming her first child, Viola entered the master of nursing and nurse practitioner program at Dalhousie University. She graduated in 2025 and has just completed her first year working as a nurse practitioner.

Today, her work is split between primary healthcare and long-term care. She provides care one day a week in a long-term care facility and spends the rest of the week in primary care, where she is building her own roster of patients.

For Viola, one of the greatest rewards of being a nurse practitioner is the opportunity to spend meaningful time with patients.

"We have the opportunity to listen to people, understand their goals and really get to know them as individuals," she says. "It's not just about diagnosing and treating a condition. It's about understanding the whole person."

That person-centred approach is something she believes nursing brings to healthcare.

"Nursing teaches you how to listen, how to connect with people and how to build relationships. Those skills are incredibly important."

Her time spent working as a continuing care assistant has also influenced her work today.

"I feel very drawn to the older population," she says. "I enjoy spending time with them and supporting them. That connection started during my years in long-term care and has stayed with me throughout my career."

Living and working in Bridgewater has allowed Viola to become deeply connected to the community she serves.

"In a small community, people get to know each other," she says. "Patients ask about your family. They genuinely care about how you're doing. That's something I wasn't used to growing up in a large city."

As an internationally educated nurse, Viola believes diverse experiences strengthen Nova Scotia's healthcare system. She says those who train and work in different parts of the world often bring valuable perspectives, cultural awareness and adaptability to their roles.

Her advice for anyone considering a similar move to Canada: "Be open to change," she says. "You have to adapt to new systems, new technology and a new way of doing things. You’ll work hard but it's so worth it."

Outside of work, Viola enjoys exploring Nova Scotia with her husband and young child, hiking new trails and visiting beaches. She also loves art, crafting, and DIY projects. And every year, her family tries to travel and explore new countries.

"Looking back on my journey, I feel grateful for the opportunities I've had," she says. "I've been able to grow professionally, build relationships in my community and care for people in meaningful ways. That's what makes this work so rewarding."

Photo of Viola Prabhu and her family.