Extendicare Nurse Practitioner Scholarship

I enjoy working in Continuing Care as a clinical nurse educator on the Education Practice Development Team in Edmonton. We provide education, training, resources for staff in home care, supportive living, long term care, hospice, and end of life care. In Alberta Health Services (AHS), I work with staff, participate in provincial committees on policies, and help shape clinical guidelines. I have a passion for palliative care, which this award will help to fulfill through tuition support for the Nurse Practitioner (NP) program in Gerontology/Palliative care.

In 2014, I had an opportunity to travel to south Asia and volunteer at the Aga Khan University to teach nursing students about palliative care and work on quality improvement projects. This experience ignited my passion for teaching and supporting education as an advanced practice nurse.

I hold a specialty certificate in Cardiology from the Canadian Nurses Association, Masters of Nursing in Chronic Disease Management (heart failure) from the University of Calgary, and a Lean Six Sigma certificate from McGill University.

My nursing career has been shaped by a family member who underwent a heart transplant, suffered through a cancer diagnosis, and passed away in palliative care.  His journey through the health care system, with hope, strength of faith, and humor, always reminded me of the humanity and compassion in practicing as a health care professional.

I am indebted to my professors at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary, where I received my Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing, respectively, as well as the University of Toronto, in my current enrollment in the NP program.  I am inspired by the countless patients encountered in cardiology, surgery, and ophthalmology units, in my 15 year nursing career, pursuing ‘life-long learning’ with a smile.