Victoria Cole, BScN, MSN, MIS- Research librarian, University of Ottawa, Vcole@uottawa.ca
The initials BScN, MSN, and MIS at the end of my email signature reflect a career path that has come full circle. When I first began my role as an academic librarian for the School of Nursing at the University of Ottawa, faculty often noticed my nursing credentials, which helped to establish a sense of connection right away. I have occasionally wondered whether including my nursing credentials in my signature was necessary, but I have come to see them as part of the professional experience I bring to my work. Five years into the role, I appreciate even more how my journey from nurse to librarian allows me to contribute to the development of future health professionals.
When I meet people, one of the first questions I am often asked is why I made the transition from nursing to librarianship, and that is the story I want to share.
Nursing background
My 14-year nursing career was rooted mainly in public and community health, and it shaped me in ways that continue to influence who I am as a librarian today. For much of that time, I worked with healthy children, youth, and families, focusing on health promotion and prevention. I spent a great deal of my time teaching, counselling, and trying to support people in making informed choices about their health. I also worked in higher-acuity settings, including with homeless individuals and intravenous drug users in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. One of the positions I look back on most fondly was my time with the Sexual Assault Service in Vancouver. In that role, I was able to support people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, alongside an incredible healthcare team providing compassionate, meaningful care. It was deeply rewarding and fulfilling work.
Why I made the transition
My interest in research began early on in my nursing career. I was always drawn to the library, and I remember spending time talking with librarians at one of my workplaces, eager to understand their role and how it influenced the work of the organization. I was fascinated by the way information could shape practice, support decision-making, and ultimately improve care.
As the information landscape evolved in the 2010s, I was introduced to more advanced knowledge synthesis methods and their connection to evidence-based practice. It was eye-opening for me. These were approaches I had not been taught in my nursing degrees in the early 2000s, and I found myself increasingly curious about how I could help students and researchers access and use this kind of information more effectively.
On a personal level, the timing also felt right. I had young children at the time, and returning to school allowed for more flexibility than working full time.
The transition experience
The transition into librarianship was both exciting and challenging. One of the hardest parts was learning how to build relationships in a new professional context. My nursing background helped, of course, but it did not automatically translate into trust or connection. Those still had to be earned. Over time, though, I found that my clinical experience gave me a different kind of perspective. I could draw on real scenarios when working with students, whether in class or through assignment support, and that often helped me make the material feel more relevant and accessible.
When I worked one-to-one with students on thesis topics or research projects, I tried to offer more than just a librarian’s perspective on whether a question was searchable. I also brought a clinical lens and asked questions that helped them think more deeply about their topic and the context behind it. I was always careful to stay within my role, but I found that students often appreciated this added perspective. It helped them unpack their ideas, and it helped me better understand the realities behind their assignments and research needs.
What I value most about this role is the chance to make a meaningful difference in someone’s learning. After a one-to-one meeting, when a student leaves feeling supported, clearer, or more confident, that is incredibly rewarding. I miss some aspects of nursing, especially the immediate human connection and sense of impact, but I have found something deeply fulfilling in this work too. Helping students grow as researchers and practitioners feels like a continuation of my nursing career in a different form.
The road ahead
Looking ahead, I feel grateful to be part of the intersection between nursing and librarianship, particularly at a time when artificial intelligence is becoming an important part of both professions. It is meaningful to me to support future nurses as they navigate this changing landscape, and to play a part in their learning, their use of evidence, and their growth as compassionate and thoughtful professionals.
Health Libraries Group 