TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund Award – Master’s

I am honored to accept the TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund Scholarship for a second time. With the help of this generous award in 2010, I was able to complete my Bachelor of Nursing final practicum overseas at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. As one of the first nursing students from the University of Lethbridge to complete an international practicum, I had the unique opportunity to gain valuable transcultural nursing experience and insights into global health issues firsthand.

As a Métis woman born and raised in Fort Smith, NT, I believe that I have a unique connection and insight into the cultural heritage and learning needs of northern and Aboriginal nursing students and patients. I am currently working in Yellowknife, NT at Stanton Territorial Hospital providing holistic, culturally safe nursing care to northern patients. I have recently enjoyed passing on my passion for providing excellent nursing care as an instructor at Aurora College.

I wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the Canadian Nurses Foundation and TD for the honor of receiving this scholarship at the Masters level. Upon completion of my Master of Nursing at the University of Victoria, I will be able to support nursing scholarship in both academic and practice settings as a Nurse Educator. In the long term, I plan to pursue a PhD in Nursing with a focus on Aboriginal health, global health and promoting culturally safe practice through international experience in nursing education so that students may gain insights into their practice outside of their cultural norms.