May 15th, 2026 | 2-minute read

The Power of Advocacy in Health Care: Meet Jacob Sintic

For Jacob Sintic, the path to nursing didn't start with a stethoscope; it started with a balance sheet. Initially planning a career in accounting, the Sudbury native found his true calling after attending a presentation at NOSM University's Camp Med.

National Nursing Week (May 11-17, 2026) is an annual celebration that recognizes the important contributions of nurses to people’s health and wellbeing. This year's theme, adopted by RNAO from the International Council of Nurses, is Empowered Nurses Save Lives.

(May 15, 2026) — For Jacob Sintic, the path to nursing didn't start with a stethoscope; it started with a balance sheet. Initially planning a career in accounting, the Sudbury native found his true calling after attending a presentation at NOSM University's Camp Med.

"I’ve always been a helper, whether at school or in the community," Jacob says. "Nursing fits that passion perfectly. It gives me the ability to provide care during the most difficult moments of people’s lives."

Now a third-year student moving into his final year, Jacob is a leader on and off campus. Between serving as the incoming President of the Laurentian University Nursing Student Association (LUNSA) and Captain of the Voyageurs Cheer Team he has learned that nursing is about much more than physical tasks.

During a clinical placement in the Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery unit at Health Sciences North, Jacob realized the true weight of his role. "Everyone thinks of nursing skills as things like giving meds or starting an IV, but advocacy is just as important," he explains.

He recalls a specific patient with a wound that was not healing. Feeling that more could be done, Jacob worked with his clinical educator, Jamie-Lynn Ellis, to involve the interprofessional team and pivot the treatment plan. Weeks later, he saw a noticeable improvement in the patient’s condition. "It can be scary to question things as a student, but the patient outcomes far outweigh that brief discomfort. We are our patients' biggest advocates."

As he prepares for his final year of study, Jacob is focused on staying in the North. "Coming from Northern Ontario, I’ve seen how complicated access to care can be for family and friends. I want to help close those gaps, especially in pediatrics or oncology."

His advice for future students? "Laurentian’s small cohort means you aren't just a number. You get clinical experience from your very first semester, which makes the classroom learning feel tangible and real."

Students interested in following in these footsteps may be eligible for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant. For the 2025–2026 academic year, this program offers full funding for tuition and books for students who commit to working in Northern Ontario after graduation. This support is available for both new incoming students and those continuing their studies this fall, ensuring a clear path to a rewarding career in the North.