Extendicare Masters in Gerontology Award

My name is Kristine (Popik) Doell and I am enrolled in the Master of Nursing program at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. When I first graduated high school, I had no idea what my career path was going to be. After living with my aunt, who works as an intensive care nurse, I learned about the dramatic impact that nurses can have on patients and their families. I always knew that I wanted to help people, and hearing about the work my aunt did made me realize that nursing would be the perfect profession for me. For the past nine years I’ve worked as a bedside nurse on cardiac and intensive care units. Although I’ve worked with a variety of patients, I have especially enjoyed working with older adults.

The other side of nursing that I have become excited about is conducting research. While I was a nursing student, I worked as a research assistant and a whole new side of nursing was opened up to me. This experience showed me firsthand how research can give voices to patients and make positive changes in our healthcare system.

I am extremely passionate about nursing and have always sought opportunities to advance my practice and become a better nurse; to this end I will pursue my PhD in Nursing in September. I will be conducting research with older adults on the experience of being separated from their spouse as they transition into a long-term care home. My goal is to produce a study that can be used to improve the lives of older adults.

I am truly honoured to have been awarded the Extendicare Masters in Gerontology Award and proud to be a scholar of the Canadian Nurses Foundation.