TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund Award – Master’s

I am extremely honoured to have been awarded the TD Aboriginal Scholarship from the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF). Receiving this scholarship has enabled me to concentrate on graduate studies while temporarily decreasing my work hours.

I have instructed nursing students at four institutions across Canada, but have always felt the need to broaden my educational base beyond the undergraduate level. It is my belief that education is imperative to forward the profession of nursing in Canada.  My present position is part time Nursing Instructor at Red Deer College (RDC) in Red Deer, Alberta.  Completing the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from Trinity Western University will expand my knowledge base, leadership skills, and ability to teach nursing students. It has also opened the possibility of PhD studies in the future.

My final thesis for the program will be a study of ethical or moral issues nursing students encounter during their education to practice. As a current student as well as instructor, I recognize that increasing information and exposure to an area of study may also place the student at odds with previously held views.  This can create great stress and discomfort to the student.  I would like to explore these stressors from the viewpoint of how an instructor may lessen the stress nursing students may experience.  I am also hoping to uncover whether the social determinants of health, or spirituality may play a part in such issues.

Thank you to TD and the CNF for assisting in my endeavor to advance nursing education.