Dr. Helen Preston Glass Award

Graduating from the University of New Brunswick Saint John with a Bachelor of Nursing degree, I was the first nursing student ever chosen as valedictorian. During my undergrad I was able to share my passions for holistic nursing and nurse leadership by presenting at a national conference and a public speaking competition for nurses. Considerable time was dedicated to my position of president of the Nursing Society, which was aimed at providing students with opportunities for both professional and personal development. My career took me to Canada’s subarctic, where I accepted the position of public health nurse in a remote First Nations community. As the only licensed health care professional living on-site, my role also included primary and urgent care, and training/supervising local staff. I spent significant time with youth by providing in-school “nurse’s hours” and teaching health classes, and I coordinated many community events that combined fun with health promotion. During my time in Northern Manitoba I also earned my CNA certification in community health nursing as early in my career as standards permit, and I have been part of the Community Health Nurses of Canada’s political action and advocacy committee. This fall I will begin a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Manitoba. The generous support from CNF will ensure my success in graduate pursuits, just as it did when CNF believed in me as an undergraduate student. This award provides validation of my hard work as I strive to become a better nurse, and I will be forever grateful.