ARNNL Research Award

I still remember the day a nurse visited my high school to speak about her career. She stood in front of our class, confident and compassionate, sharing stories of her experiences with patients and the profound meaning she found in her work. I was deeply inspired, not just by what she did, but by who she was. In that moment, I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to care for others, make a difference, and maybe even inspire people the way she had inspired me. 

At the time, I had already been volunteering at a hospital, helping out in small but meaningful ways, offering comfort, running errands, and listening. At the end of high school, I applied to The Salvation Army Grace General Hospital School of Nursing in St. John’s, NL, and was thrilled to be accepted. Being a young nursing student at the age of 17, I was mentored by brilliant and compassionate instructors who not only deepened my clinical knowledge but also showed me the power of teaching, leadership, and lifelong learning. They saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself, and because of them, I knew I wanted to one day become a nurse educator. 

My commitment to lifelong learning led me to complete a post-RN program at Dalhousie University, followed by a Master of Nursing at the University of Alberta. With each stage of education, my understanding of the nursing profession deepened, and so did my passion for teaching. As I advanced in my career, educating future nurses became just as fulfilling as caring for patients. Now, watching my daughter follow in my footsteps as she begins her own nursing journey fills me with pride and a renewed sense of purpose. Seeing her passion reminds me of why I started and of how far nursing can take someone who cares deeply. Her journey inspires me just as I was once inspired in that high school classroom. 

Pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador is the natural continuation of this journey. I want to contribute to the profession through research, leadership, and mentorship, just as others once did for me. Nursing has given me a meaningful life, and I’m committed to giving back to the profession that shaped me.