CNSA BIPOC Award

My name is Megha Jose, and I am completing my first year as a BScN After Degree Honors student at the University of Alberta. For my honours research project, I am working alongside Dr. Jordana Salma to qualitatively investigate mobility factors among older racialized immigrant women in Edmonton. Growing up, I was surrounded by older adults than those closer to my age. This was unintentional by my parents, but it allowed my parents and my loved ones to set a foundation of authentic and honest perspectives on what aging and healthy aging mean in Canadian society. It also further set my interest in aging experiences among women, BIPOC, and other marginalized communities.  

My previous degree in psychology was my introduction to the multifaceted nature of lifespan health and wellness, specifically in neurological and cognitive development. I wanted to promote education and literacy surrounding psychological health among seniors – I never really considered nursing as a vessel for that. Yet my role as academic advisor to nursing students at the University of Alberta made me realize that through nursing, I could expand my exploration of health and wellness among older adults overall, especially through the research aspect of the BScN Honors program.  

I am so grateful that my journey has taken me to nursing, and I greatly appreciate the Canadian Nurses Foundation for awarding me this investment in my passion! I am both honoured and humbled to be recognized for this award.