鶹ý

Transformative Times
Changing More Lives, More Ways

鶹ý School of Nursing, June 2016

School of Nursing News

Modified BScN Nursing Curriculum Launches September 2016

鶹ý School of Nursing is leading the way for a transformation in nursing education in Atlantic Canada and has recently revised its curriculum and restructured the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) program based on best practices in nursing education. The revised curriculum (120 credit hours) will be completed over three calendar years (eight semesters) for direct entry students, and over two calendar years (six semesters) for advanced standing students (those with previous university education), offering graduates the opportunity to enter practice one year earlier. Direct entry students complete foundational non-nursing courses in Semesters 1 and 2; Advanced standing students enter the program at Semester 3. All students are admitted into the program September of each year.

The program blends classroom learning with clinical simulation, and practice application in placements designed to support student learning and mastery. The following chart depicts the nursing semesters at a glance. For more detailed information please visit our website: and click on the option for the Modified Curriculum Beginning September 2016.

Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy receives the Dr. John Savage Memorial Award for Faculty Leadership in Global Health


Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy with husband Doug Murphy

In recognition of her international work, Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy is the 2016 recipient of the Dr. John Savage Memorial Award for faculty leadership in global health. The award was presented to Dr. Tomblin Murphy at the Doctors Nova Scotia Gold-headed Cane Award Dinner on May 7th. Dr. Tomblin Murphy is a professor in the School of Nursing and the Department of Community Health & Epidemiology and the Director of both the WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centre on Health Workforce Planning & Research and the Centre for Transformative Nursing and Health Research. Gail is an internationally recognized expert in population needs-based approaches to health systems and workforce planning, evaluation and research. She has collaborated with clinicians, health care leaders, senior policy-makers, and researchers from government, universities and health care organizations to improve health systems in Canada and internationally.

The Dr. John Savage Memorial Award for Faculty Leadership in Global Health recognizes an outstanding humanitarian contribution to global health by a 鶹ý Medical School faculty member. Dr. Savage was a former mayor of Dartmouth, premier of Nova Scotia and a family physician. He was also a champion of the need to promote healthy communities worldwide and had a long-standing commitment to global health projects in Africa with the Nova Scotia Gambia Association (NSGA). Dr. Savage also served on the advisory committee to the GHO at 鶹ý.

2016 Convocation Awards

The 2016 Graduation Dinner and Awards Ceremony for the Halifax site was held May 26, 2016 at Pier 21 in Halifax. After a lovely dinner was served to graduates, their family and friends, invited guests, and faculty, awards were presented to deserving recipients.

  • Justine Babin: Elsevier Canada Award
  • Mathieu Cormier: Matthew Ayer Award for Community Nursing

Dr. MacMillan & Mathieu Cormier

  • Victoria Doig: Melda Dashevsky Memorial Award
  • Melissa Doucette: Mental Health Nursing Award
  • Allyson Falconer: Rho Rho Leadership Award (Halifax site) and the Colleen Kiberd Award
  • Jordin Fletcher: IWK Health Centre Prize for Excellence in the Care of Children and Families
  • Kassia Gilbert: IWK MDSAS Award for Excellence in Women's and Newborn Nursing
  • Lori Hilchey: Palliative Care Nursing Award
  • Jonathan Honsberger: Rho Rho Leadership Award (Yarmouth site)
  • Lucie Kralovec: IWK MDSAS Award for Excellence in Children's Nursing
  • Michelle Ryan: Highest Academic Achievement Prize (Undergraduate Degree Program); Highest Academic Achievement Certificate (Basic Degree Program); and 鶹ý Alumni Association (Women’s Division) Medal in Nursing
  • Jennifer Young: Registered Nurses Professional Development Centre Award

Dr. MacMillan and Jon Honsberger

At the end of the awards presentation, the class valedictorian, Mark Harris, entertained the audience with an endearing address. Drawing on quotes from the graduating class, Mark evoked much laughter and a few tears as he demonstrated to all the closeness and camaraderie enjoyed by this graduating class.


Valedictorian Mark Harris

The final award of the night was the Teacher Appreciation Award. The students chose Professor Betty MacIsaac to receive this award in honor of her work with this class throughout their time at 鶹ý, specifically in her support of them as they tackled NCLEX style testing. Presented by Eric Creamer and Courtney Hodder, Betty was touched and very appreciative of the honor bestowed upon her.


Courtney Hodder, Professor MacIsaac, Eric Creamer


The Times, They Really are Transforming for the SON!

As we come to the end of the academic year, so we say ‘so long’ to some and ‘hello’ to others. Professor Maureen White, a long standing member of our faculty has chosen to indulge her desire to forge a new path in life. Maureen has provided a strong voice for student issues, much wisdom as we move to a modified curriculum, and advocacy for breastfeeding mothers. Her ability to make the application of theory in the clinical setting visible for students will be missed by all. We wish her luck on her new adventures!


Maureen being presented with flowers by the 2016 graduating class.

Although remaining in the school, we say thank you to Professor Shauna Houk as she vacates the position of Assistant Director, Undergraduate Studies on June 30/16. The incumbent since 2010, Shauna has provided leadership to faculty regarding student and curricular issues, as well as support for countless students as they navigated the rigours of their academic journeys. Shauna will return to teaching full time, as well as completing her tenure as the EB Eddy (Bennett) Professorship and writing fellowship. Transitioning to this role is Professor Beth Halperin, for whom we relay a very warm welcome. We believe her experience and fortitude will ground her success in this position.

Acknowledgement is made, and a belated welcome is offered for the appointment of Dr. Brenda Sabo as the Associate Director, Undergraduate Studies. A current recipient of 鶹ý’s Academic Innovation Award, Brenda brings skills and experience that will enhance her ability to carry out the responsibilities inherent to this role.

Making a Difference Beyond the Forrest Building….

CNSA National Conference

  • Sheren Anwar Siani (4th yr Accelerated) and Leah Carrier (2nd yr Basic) elected to CNSA Board of Directors
  • 鶹ý SON awarded 1st prize for National Nursing Students Week video contest
  • 鶹ý SON received Atlantic Regional Achievement Award

Research News

  • Dr. Ruth Martin-Misener, Dr. Sheri Price, Dr. Erna Snelgrove-Clarke inducted into NSHRF Decade Club
  • Leah Carrier received CANR award for best abstract submission in scholarly showcase
  • Dr. Marsha Campbell-Yeo received FHP Early Career Research Excellence Award

IMPACT Awards

  • Maike van Niekirk (3rd yr Basic) received Board of Governors Award
  • Leah Carrier received FHP Leadership Award
  • DUNS received Most Influential Society Award

Scholarship Recipients

  • Joelle Monahagn (MN student) and Christine Cassidy (PhD student) - Ruby Blois Scholarships
  • Britney Benoit (PhD student) - CIHR Vanier Scholarship

Faculty making a Difference

  • Dr. Margot Latimer participated in a public panel discussion – Truth and Reconciliation in Action – May/16 at the Halifax Central Library, drawing upon her research expertise in pain experiences of indigenous youth
  • Dr. Ingrid Waldron was featured in Halifax Magazine (May, 2016) outlining her continued fight against environmental racism in Nova Scotia through the ENRICH (Environmental Noxiousness, Racial Inequalities and Community Health) project (http://www.enrichproject.org)
  • Dr. Megan Aston & Dr. Sheri Price and research team launched their video “Mindful Matters: Caring for Children with Intellectual Disabilities” in April/16 (https://vimeo.com/163234949) featuring stories from children with ID, their parents, and the nurses who care for them

Alumni in the News

  • Faye Routledge RN PhD (2010), currently assistant professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff SON, has been inducted as a Fellow of the American Heart Association. http://news.emory.edu/stories/2014/10/nursing_professor_fellow_american_heart/index.html
  • CRNNS Excellence in Nursing Practice awarded to:
    Glenda Carson RN PhD (MN 1989)
    Nikki Kelly RN MN (2010)
    Lena MacDonald RN MN (2004)

Diversity Initiatives in SON

Work in the SON continues around diversity initiatives. A team including Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, Sharon Davis-Murdoch, Dr. Megan Aston, Dr. Audrey Steenbeek, Dr. Ingrid Waldron, Dr. Amy Bombay, Coleen van Loggerenberg, Keisha Jeffries (Graduate Student Representative), Maike van Niekerk (Undergraduate Student Representation) and Ashlee Hinchey (Administrative Support) works from an overall strategic plan to ensure diversity is realized within the hiring of faculty and staff, in student recruitment, and curricular and research initiatives, resulting in graduates who advocate for diversity and inclusion wherever they go. Curriculum development has made visible the need to weave concepts of cultural competence, cultural safety, social determinants of health, and health equity throughout all courses offered to students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. A survey was conducted by Dr. Audrey Steenbeck and Dr. Amy Bombay of the SON student population - Exploring Diversity & Cultural Competence in the School of Nursing: Creating a More Inclusive Environment For Our Students. Analysis of data collected has yet to be finalized. However an incentive for completing the survey proved profitable for one student – Robyn Miller (BScN 2016) – as the winner of a new iPad!

鶹ý

To subscribe to the Transformative Times newsletter, send an email to listserv@lists.dal.ca containing the message: sub transformativetimes firstname lastname. Or subscribe from our website.

To unsubscribe, email listserv@lists.dal.ca containing the message: unsub transformativetimes