Joyce Rankin (MN 2002), never wanted to be anything but a nurse. That passion has guided her career trajectory from decades working as a nurse in the community, to her current role as a Nursing Clinical Manager (NCM) at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Through it all, Rankin has been a dedicated volunteer and a donor to the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, serving as a mentor through the former Networking with Nurses program, taking on speaking engagements, and connecting nurses with resources to explore their areas of interest.
“I love working with the next generation of nurses, it inspires me. I want to be able to share my passion for nursing with them, and support them because nursing is a tough career,” says Rankin.
In many of her interactions with students especially following the COVID19 pandemic, Rankin shares that while nursing is a tough profession, there so many moments where being with someone or a community when they are at their most vulnerable is an absolute gift.
“I think it makes me more empathetic as a person, and more understanding of the human experience,” says Rankin. “I try to explain to students that this about finding the joy in everything you do, even in the tough moments.”
Rankin’s perspective on giving back has also been inspired by the people she has met throughout her nursing career, people who, though they had nothing, would still give $5 to someone on the street.
“That was a profound moment for me,” says Rankin. “People who are struggling still have the capacity to help. Imagine what those of us who have resources could do to help. I give back to Bloomberg Nursing because I can, and not just monetarily. Education is hard, and education is expensive, but a better educated nursing workforce is only going to help the community.”
As a student Rankin’s education was also supported by scholarships and bursaries she received from generous donors. Every little bit helped she says, and it is why she never underestimates the impact of donating to student education.
“I really encourage other alumni to get involved, if you are not able to donate with financial resources, get involved with the faculty, find something that speaks to your passion, and help us build up our fellow nurses,” says Rankin.
The generosity of Bloomberg Nursing’s alumni community is one of the many reasons that the Faculty is ranked as the number one nursing school in Canada. Learn more about how you can be a champion for nursing education. Get in touch with Nicole Landa, Senior Development Officer at nicole.landa@utoronto.ca