You would think Leanna Gustafson’s fear of needles would hardly make for a career in nursing.

Not so for Gustafson who, despite her needle phobia, is well on her way to a nursing career.

“I have an awful fear of needles and when I was younger the compassion and the care that my local public health nurse demonstrated was inspiring,” says Gustafson, a third-year student in the U of R/Sask Polytech Collaborative Nursing Program in Saskatoon. “She did more than just give me the required injections. She calmed me down, talked to me, got to know me, and gave me candy as a reward which of course helped smooth the way.”