Known for the adept clinical decision-making skills rooted in science and compassion that underpin exemplary nursing care, Trent/Fleming School of Nursing (TFSON) students embody the spirit of this year’s National Nurses Week theme: changing lives, shaping tomorrow.

This June, 160 more graduates (from the winter semester) will enter the workforce, undoubtedly shaping the future by providing vigour, knowledge, and much needed support to a challenged Canadian healthcare system.

Well before becoming full-time professionals, TFSON students are directly and positively enriching communities with more than 1,000 hours of clinical placement experience that each student undertakes over four years.

To acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding faculty, staff, clinical instructors, and preceptors that aided and educated this year’s cohort, as well as the meaningful contributions and achievements of the students, TFSON hosted an Awards & Scholarship Ceremony on April 26.

Student scholarships inject essential aid

In addition to faculty and staff awards, included in this year’s event was the distribution of $23,000 in student scholarships, generously supported by program donors and community partners.

“The support from our donors is imperative to student success, as we know from the over 100 scholarship applications we received this year. Through their contributions, investors are perpetuating a lineage of nurse leaders as our students continue to give back to the community, assuming roles as managers, educators, and preceptors, extending the legacy of the initial gift,” said Ann Macleod, TFSON faculty member and chair of the awards committee. 

Community care at its finest

Doreen Stewart, originally from Bailieboro, Ontario is a retired nurse and is committed to supporting TFSON students. Having worked with many students over the years, Doreen has witnessed first-hand the value and engagement students bring to the profession as well as the service they provide to the community they work in. In recognition of this service, a scholarship was established to provide financial aid to six students that demonstrate exceptional dedication to enhancing care in the local region. 

This year’s Doreen (Larmer) Stewart Nursing Scholarship recipients are: 

• Sarah English (second-year, Gzowski College) – From Norwood, currently working as a personal support worker. 
• Lindsay Hanes (fourth-year, Otonabee College) – A mother of three from Cavan. 
• Emily Lahaie (graduating, Gzowski College) - Peterborough resident who recently completed a placement with Peterborough Public Health. 
• Anne Mead (graduating, Champlain College) – Peterborough resident who leverages her love for music to support individuals with dementia. 
• Rachel Roots (graduating, Otonabee College) – A part-time clinical extern at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) whose passion for nursing developed after caregiving for a family member. 
• Taylor St. Clair (fourth-year, Lady Eaton College) – Calling Omemee home for the last decade, her interest in nursing was spurred through volunteering at the local emergency department and is now aspiring to be a critical care nurse.  

Another set of scholarships, granted by the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton, was presented to four students for their work with those suffering from the neurological disorder. This award was established in memory of Janet Bews, the organization’s past president and a faculty member in the department of Ancient History and Classics at Trent.

This year’s Janet Bews Scholarship recipients are: 

• Cassie Hobbs (fourth-year, Champlain College) 
• Carmen Meyette (fourth-year, Gzowski College) 
• Whitney Simpson (fourth-year, Otonobee College) 
• Laura Volpe (graduating, Champlain College) 

Each of these individuals pursued nursing because of their lived experience supporting grandparents, or their involvement with the Trent Student-Senior Isolation Prevention Partnership. With ever increasing numbers of older adults needing supportive dementia care in our community, these future nurse leaders are poised in a great position to meet the need. 

Paying it forward

A special one-time memorial gift was awarded this year on behalf of the late Stephanie Van Evera, a nursing student who unfortunately passed away in 2023. For demonstrating and carrying on Stephanie’s enduring qualities of compassion, care, and leadership, her friend and peer, Alyssa Jackson, accepted the award. 

For those thinking of studying nursing, visit Trent/Fleming School of Nursing.