Arsh Thind

Height: 5’8
Hometown: Abbotsford, BC
Languages: English
Occupation: Nursing Unit Clerk

Arsh is a confident, young, and ambitious woman who chases every goal she sets for herself. She has always been such a positive person, her energy can brighten up any room. She is also an advocate for mental health and will not stand for bullying. Arsh grew up with her father having Schizophrenia, a serious mental disorder causing you to hear voices and see things that aren’t there. She also grew up being bullied. She had a lot of anxiety and stress because of all this, and she wasn’t very kind to herself either. She has now grown into such a beautiful, confident, and intelligent woman. She hopes through sharing her story she can encourage others to speak up and reduce the stigma around mental health and reduce bullying.

She was born in a small village in India called Jhakharwala. At the young age of 1 her parents decided to immigrate to Canada for a better life. Since then she was raised in a small and quiet town in British Columbia called Abbotsford. Growing up she always knew she wanted to dedicate her career to helping people and she wanted to pursue a career as a healthcare worker. As soon as she graduated high school she enrolled herself in the nursing unit clerk program and started working in the hospital at the age of 19. She loves devoting her career to helping people as she feels she is making a difference in people’s lives. She continues to want to upgrade her education and is currently pursuing a career in Nursing. Arsh also loves to travel, and after finishing her schooling she plans to see the rest of the world. She loves meeting new people and learning about all their different cultures.

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I enjoy spending my time traveling the most. Just this year I’ve been to Paris, Belgium, Amsterdam, Milan, Venice, and Las Vegas. Milan and Las Vegas will always be my favourite cities to visit. I also really love the process of meeting new people and making new friends. I also have a passion for hair and makeup, and I will take any excuse to dress up for the night. I enjoy reading and working out. I greatly enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, friends, family, and my rottie puppy. I also love a good reality tv show.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

• Nursing Unit Clerk Certificate
• Hand Hygiene Basics
• Code Red- Fire Safety and Training (Acute and Long Term Care Facilities)
• Code Green- Evacuation
• Code Yellow- Missing Patient/Resident
• WHMIS
• Introduction to Indigenous Health
• Psychological Safety and Resilience
• Respectful Workplace
• Violence Prevention
• Covid 19 Guidelines and Procedures
• Privacy Security 101
• BC Patient Safety & Learning System
• BC Cancer Falls Prevention
• Interacting with Patients
• Hazardous Drug Awareness
• Hazardous Drugs Safety Awareness
• Swimming Lessons

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I enjoy participating in any and all sports. As a child my parents enrolled me in swimming lessons, and I also played a lot of basketball during my childhood. As I grew older the more sports I decided to practice. I also really started to enjoy playing volleyball, and track and field.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

One person who has had the most influence and a significant effect on my life is my cousin Rajveer. Rajveer has always been the sister I always wanted. She is everything I aspire to be, she has always been such a smart and kind person. She’s always there to support me and be a shoulder for me to cry on whenever I need it. Rajveer has been through so much and yet she always has a positive attitude and never gives up. I’ve never met someone as hardworking as her. She is a prime role model in showing me how to be an independent and smart young woman.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

One of my proudest personal accomplishments will be my career. I started working in the hospital setting when I was 19 years old. I love working in the hospital, I enjoy spending my time helping people and being in a high paced environment. My favourite thing about the hospital is being surrounded by all these smart individuals who enjoy spending their time teaching. There is always so much to learn and you always see something new everyday!

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

One of the most interesting things about me will be my personality. I have always been such an outgoing person, I’ve always made connections with people easily. I love making people smile and laugh. I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I have always been told I can talk to a wall!

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My career goal is to obtain my Nursing License, and to continue furthering my education. After working as a nurse for a couple years, gaining experience and knowledge I’d like to continue broadening my scope of practice and upgrading my education. I’d like to obtain my Masters Degree in Nursing and pursue a career as either a Nurse Practitioner or Midwife and open up my own clinic. With my passion for makeup and hair, I’d also love to take a botox and filler course as a fun addition for the clinic. I also love teaching and training girls as unit clerks at the hospital, so a career as a Nurse Educator is also something I’d be extremely interested in doing as well.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

My dream job would be dedicating my career to helping people and being a Doctor. Critical care has also always been one of my favourite specialties I’ve worked, so I’d either specialize in Intensive care or Cardiac care.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was raised in a nice and quiet small town called Abbotsford, British Columbia. I would say I definitely had an interesting childhood growing up. I don’t broadcast this but my Father is Schizophrenic. For those of you who don’t know what Schizophrenia is, it is a serious mental disorder that makes you hear voices and sometimes can even cause you to see things that aren’t there. My Dad was a stay at home dad due to his illness, he never was able to work a job my whole life. However my Mom did have to pick up more shifts due to her being the only parent employed. My Mom has always taught us to be hard working and independent just like she is. She has always taught us if you really want something you can achieve it by just putting in effort and working hard. My mom and cousin are 2 people I’ve looked up to my whole life. I’ve always been surrounded by hardworking and independent women, I was always grateful to have such great role models growing up.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

Although I knew nothing about car’s an interesting job I had was being employed at a Car Dealership, I also spent some time at Pita Pit and Wendy’s.

List any volunteering you have done.

• Participated in Terry Fox Run
• Participated in Run For Water
• Hosted a Fundraiser for SOS Children’s Village

What is your most unusual talent?

An unusual talent I have is that I never forget a face. I’m very good at remembering faces, even if I’ve only met you once and happen to see you a couple years later I will always remember meeting you. I was also very good at recognizing people with face masks during the pandemic.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

The most interesting place I have been to is Milan, Italy. During my Europe trip Milan had been my favourite destination. Milan is known for its art, history, architecture, and extraordinary fashion. Italy is also known for their fine cuisine. Italy’s most famous dishes include pizza and pasta-everyone’s favourite meal. My favourite sights to see in Milan were the Duomo Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. We weren’t there for long but I definitely had the most memorable nights there.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In 10 years I hope to be an extremely successful 31 year old woman. I hope my career is at its peak, and I am a couple years into opening my own clinic. I hope to either be a Nurse Practitioner with a primary care clinic or a Midwife with a clinic providing prenatal and postpartum care. I’m also hoping I am one of the best injectors in British Columbia. A personal goal I’ve always had is to see the whole world by 30 and I also hope to achieve that goal within the next 10 years.