Student Nurses from UPEI Carry off Three National Awards
Student nurses from the University of Prince Edward Island are making a name for themselves at the national level. Over the past few months they have won two awards from the Canadian Nursing Students Association (CNSA) and one from the Canadian Nurses Foundation.
"We have excellent students here at the UPEI School of Nursing. The fact that these students are competitive at a national level simply confirms this. The Faculty are extremely proud," says Kim Critchley, Acting Dean of Nursing.
The Canadian Nurses Foundation promotes health and patient care across Canada by supporting nursing research and education. The foundation has selected Erin Coady of Stratford, PEI as the first recipient of the Dr. Margaret Munro Scholarship, introduced in 2004 and valued at $3,000. Munro was the first Dean of Nursing at UPEI. The foundation established the national award in her name because of her strong commitment to nursing education and leadership. In addition to her support of the Canadian Nurses Foundation, Munro has created two nursing awards at UPEI, and is a member of the UPEI Visionary Society.
"I have great respect for Dr. Munro and I feel very honoured to be selected from applicants right across the country for this Canadian Nurses Foundation scholarship," says Erin Coady who is currently in her third year. After she graduates from UPEI she intends to pursue a master's degree as a nurse-practitioner.
At the Canadian Nursing Students Association national conference held recently in Windsor, Ontario, fourth-year Melanie McCarthy was awarded the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing scholarship valued at $2,000 US. Nursing students from across Canada compete for this annual scholarship which recognizes clinical excellence.
"Partnership with clients and patients is key to clinical success. As a student, I am able to achieve clinical excellence due to the quality preceptors, mentors, and educational instructors I have experienced," says McCarthy, whose current interests include surgical nursing and health and nursing policy.
The CNSA, with over 10,000 members, is an affiliate member of the Canadian Nurses Association. In addition to honouring individual student achievement, the organization recognizes associations whose work increases student awareness and participation in CNSA within the university, regionally, and nationally. This year, the UPEI chapter carried off the CNSA Atlantic Region Achievement Award which was presented at the closing banquet of the CNSA national conference. The award will be displayed at the UPEI School of Nursing. Melanie McCarthy is the national delegate from the UPEI Chapter of CNSA for 2004-2005 and Brianne Timpson is associate delegate.
