Excellence in Nursing education, research, and service lands new status
The UPEI Senate and Board of Governors has elevated the status of the UPEI School of Nursing from “School” to “Faculty” effectively immediately. The former School will now be known as the UPEI Faculty of Nursing.
Faculty members were strongly in favour of the status change when proposing it to the University's governing bodies. They cited the expansion of nursing programs, in particular graduate studies, and curriculum grounded in the philosophy of primary health care, and research as reasons for the change.
“This change is in recognition of the excellence in education, research and scholarly endeavours of faculty, and exponential growth of the nursing programs at undergraduate and graduate levels, creating a gold-standard educational journey for our students,” said Dr. Gulrose Jiwani, Dean of Nursing. “Our students enter their profession well-prepared and ready to contribute to the betterment of our communities at home and around the world, with demonstrated leadership and responsiveness to the health needs, cultural values, and diversity of our populations.”
With yearly enrolment exceeding 300 students, the Faculty is now home to 45 professionals, including tenure-track faculty; adjunct graduate faculty; clinical and sessional instructors; coordinators, and administrative assistants dedicated to advancing the UPEI Faculty of Nursing’s mission and vision.
“Over the past five years, the UPEI Faculty of Nursing has garnered more than $15 million in research funding,” said Vice-President Academic and Research Robert Gilmour. “As well, partnership agreements enable our Nursing students to participate in off-island placements across Canada and around the world.”
Founded in 1992, the former UPEI School of Nursing transformed nursing education on Prince Edward Island by moving it from the diploma to the baccalaureate level. With its humble beginnings offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to 16 students, the UPEI Faculty of Nursing has evolved to offer two undergraduate nursing-degree programs; a Master of Nursing program with thesis and nurse practitioner streams; post-graduate certificate courses; and an indigenized curriculum.
In celebration of its 25 years of accomplishments, the UPEI Faculty of Nursing will host a reception and gala dinner on June 29, 2017, click here for more information.
