Sean Hui '20

Sean Hui ‘20
Faculty of Health Sciences

Challenging himself and caring for others


Sean Hui (BScN ’20) grew up in a family that placed great value on caring for others. That moral compass, coupled with a personal experience as a patient at SickKids when he was 15 years old, led him down the path to choosing nursing as a career.

“I interacted with an exceptional team of healthcare professionals who made the unknown hospital environment welcoming and cheerful. Their compassion, authenticity, patience and empathy are what I truly remember during my time at SickKids. Nursing became a natural career choice for me as I knew I wanted to make an impact on the lives of others in a direct and meaningful way.”

Sean says he chose McMaster because of the great reputation of the nursing program and because his older cousin had attended and had shown him the campus and “all the great things Mac had to offer.” Sean certainly took advantage of those opportunities and immersed himself in the community. He became a Nursing Peer Tutor within the Centre for Simulation Based Learning (CSBL) and a Teaching Assistant for Nursing Statistics. He was a member of the MSU Student Walk Home Attendant Team and a Welcome Week representative, and served as vice-president of the inaugural university chapter of the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research Canada. He also co-founded Project Accessible Care for New Canadians, advocating for newcomers who face difficulties accessing healthcare. On top of that, Sean was a mentor within the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and was a vision screening volunteer in the EYE MAC program.

“I always told myself coming into university that I wanted to challenge myself, meet new people, explore my interests, and most importantly have fun! Encouraged by these goals, I set my sights on becoming involved in different opportunities. The nursing program has incredibly knowledgeable and passionate professors, clinical instructors, and extensive resources that have really helped in my success in becoming a Registered Nurse. But getting involved in extracurriculars provided me with a well-rounded university experience. I met new friends from outside my program and formed lasting connections within the McMaster community. My involvement provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with groups of like-minded and motivated students similar to the interprofessional collaboration I experience as a new-graduate nurse.”

As a graduate of 2020, Sean experienced the abrupt change that the COVID-19 pandemic threw at the healthcare industry and at students. “Like many, I did not expect how quickly the world would change because of COVID-19. Before I knew it, in-person classes were cancelled, and I was pulled from my clinical placement before the end of the term. I definitely felt a level of uncertainty and unease as to how the school year would end.”

Thankfully, as the university made the switch to online learning and pandemic safe practices in clinical settings, Sean was able to graduate and start his career in pediatric nursing. “In my short time as a nurse, I am so grateful and privileged to have been able to pursue a rewarding career where I love what I do. Nursing has provided me with the opportunity to continuously challenge my personal and professional growth and to connect and care for my patients in their most vulnerable moments. In nursing school, I was particularly drawn towards the stories of my patients who felt they had hit rock bottom and given up on life. Those experiences drove me to become a pediatric nurse caring for children experiencing mental health issues and their families. I am so thankful to be working with an amazing team and providing hope in times of adversity to the children and families I encounter.”