Devaloise Hatchou’s journey to nursing is fueled by grit and community
Posted on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025
When Devaloise Hatchou arrived in Pembroke to begin Algonquin College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program, she was a
mother of four and spoke very little English. What she did have was determination and a College community ready to help her succeed.
“I was speaking one word in French, one in German, and another in English,” Hatchou said with a smile. “But Algonquin supported me from day one.”
Devaloise in her graduation gown.
That support came from employees, tutors and mentors, including the late Jamie Bramburger, who helped her access language resources and encouraged her to believe in herself. “He told me, ‘You can do this,’ and he meant it,” she said.
At Bramburger’s suggestion, Hatchou began volunteering at Pembroke Regional Hospital to improve her English and gain experience. With encouragement from her instructors, she managed to balance full-time studies, motherhood and volunteer work, while studying in her third language.
Her perseverance was tested during her final year when she gave birth to her fifth child just weeks after completing her final exams. Around the same time, she went through a divorce and faced housing insecurity. Once again, the Algonquin College community stepped up to help.
One of her instructors, Judy Lafleur, noticed Hatchou was struggling. “She called me and said, ‘You’re not okay, come to my office,’” Hatchou recalled. “That moment changed everything. She connected me to supports I didn’t even know existed.”
Despite the challenges, Hatchou graduated in 2009 and went on to complete her nurse practitioner training at Laurentian University.
Today, she works as a nurse practitioner with the Department of National Defence, at the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre and as an independent health care provider offering virtual care across Ontario. She also teaches part-time at Algonquin College, giving back to the program that helped launch her career.
“I wouldn’t be anything if it weren’t for Algonquin,” she said. “The teachers, the staff, the small classes, they were everything. They believed in me when life was hardest.”
Reflecting on 50 years of nursing excellence, Hatchou is proud to be a part of that legacy. “It’s an honour to have started in one of the early cohorts,” she said. “Algonquin gave me the foundation not just for a career, but for a life I’m proud of.”
Her message to today’s students is filled with the same encouragement she once received:
“Take advantage of every bit of support you have. Don’t give up. If I could do it with five kids and a language barrier, you can too. Believe in yourself and let the College help you get there.”
Algonquin College’s School of Nursing celebrates 50 years of nursing excellence. Learn more about program offerings by visiting their website.
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