Ethan Vinagre celebrates his upcoming graduation from the Faculty of Nursing. The Class of 2026 graduate will begin working in the surgical ICU at Henry Ford Health this fall. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
By Sara Meikle
As he prepares to cross the stage at the University of Windsor’s Spring Convocation, the next chapter of Ethan Vinagre’s life is already taking shape.
A career in critical care nursing, a new home of his own and even his face on a UWindsor billboard celebrating the Class of 2026 are all part of what comes next for the BScN graduate, who will begin working in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Henry Ford Health this fall.
“I’m just so happy that it’s here,” he said. “I’ve met so many great people, made so many friends and we’ve been together every day. It’s bittersweet, now that it’s here it’s emotional too.”
Still, excitement outweighs any other feeling.
“I’ve become very passionate about nursing over the last four years, and I’m really looking forward to what’s next,” Vinagre said.
Originally from Chatham, Vinagre says nursing has always felt like the right fit. While he was interested in health care from a young age, the deeply personal experience of his grandfather’s passing ultimately solidified his decision.
“The care the nurses gave to him and to our family in the ICU was incredible,” he said. “I will never forget that, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be a nurse.”
Though intensive care had long been his goal, Vinagre intentionally pushed himself to explore other areas of practice. His final year included a placement in the emergency department, something he initially approached with hesitation.
“I was so nervous,” he said. “But it ended up being one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I learned so much.”
The experience reinforced another goal he has set for his future — to become a nurse educator. That realization led him to take on roles as a teaching assistant and mentor in his final year, which he describes as some of his most meaningful experiences.
The nursing program at UWindsor offered exactly the kind of hands-on learning environment he was looking for.
“I knew Windsor had a really strong nursing program, especially because you get into placements earlier,” he said. “Choosing Windsor ended up being the best decision.”
He credits the close-knit nature of the program, from faculty mentors to classmates, with helping shape both his personal and professional growth.
“I feel like UWindsor really taught me how to build relationships. The teachers really prioritized building connections, and I think that’s something I’ll carry with me forever,” Vinagre said.
Throughout his placements, Vinagre earned praise not only for his work ethic, but for the way he connected with patients and families — something he considers his proudest accomplishment.
“The feedback I’m most proud of is how I’m able to connect with patients and families,” he said. “That’s the kind of nurse I want to be.”
The surgical ICU at Henry Ford Health is a fast-paced, high-acuity environment he says suits both his personality and his goals.
“I love caring for patients and families, but I also love working in a team environment under pressure. That’s what I really enjoy about ICU nursing,” he said.
The position also marks the beginning of another milestone, moving into his own apartment in Windsor after four years of living with roommates.
On the verge of his new career, Vinagre is also thinking about balance and making more time for things he enjoys — like travel, time with family and a recently discovered love of thriller novels.
Another standout moment ahead of convocation was learning he would be featured on a UWindsor billboard, something that still feels surreal to him.
“I didn’t really believe it at first,” he said. “It’s a nice recognition for how hard I’ve worked, and I’m really grateful for that.”
All this excitement might even call for a celebratory backflip.
“It’s kind of my party trick,” he said, laughing.
With graduation days away, Vinagre is embracing this next chapter with a mix of excitement and reflection. He plans to gain several years of clinical experience before returning to school to pursue graduate studies, with the long-term goal of becoming a nurse practitioner and moving into nursing education.
As convocation approaches, he is thinking about the distance between arriving as a first-year student and leaving as a nurse headed to the ICU.
“It’s exciting to finally see everything coming together,” he said. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead.”
For students just starting the nursing program, his advice is simple.
“Embrace every opportunity early on, even the uncomfortable ones, and lean into the people around you — they’ll become just as important as the lessons in the classroom."