Another year is almost at a close, and we would be remiss if we didn’t share just a few of the highlights of 2023 for the Faculty of Nursing. No year is without its own unique challenges and obstacles, but in shifting our perspective to the positive we can find the moments where nurses are making waves and inspiring change. From innovative research using artificial intelligence, to developments in teaching more compassionate and inclusive care, and of course our new brand This is Nursing in Action, the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing community has achieved a lot in just 365 days.
Some key moments include:
- A transformative pilot simulation helping students learn to care for members of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community
- The launch of the U of T Chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance
- The groundbreaking of a new facility housing the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH)
- A phenomenal Nursing Week with special guest Professor Sheila Tlou
- The launch of This is Nursing in Action
Here are our top 10 stories of 2023.
Assistant Professor Amy Wright is collaborating with Indigenous fathers and community members, to build a set of parenting resources aimed specifically at supporting men and Two-Spirit people along their journey into parenthood.
A CIHR funded study led by Associate Professor Kimberley Widger in partnership with the Canadian Alliance for Children’s Grief, aims to paint a picture of what childhood grief looks like across the country, and whether adequate resources are in place to support children in need.
3) Canadian Black Nurses Alliance launches U of T chapter at Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
Bloomberg Nursing students have created a U of T based chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance as a way to foster a sense of community, growth and education for aspiring nurse leaders.
4) New nursing simulation project promotes gender-affirming care for 2SLGTBQIA+ community
Richard Tang, a student in the Master of Nursing program, has led the co-creation of a new simulation – a type of experiential learning – for undergraduate nursing students that is focused on providing specialized care to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
5) Researchers examine mental health and well-being of Canada’s unpaid caregivers
Professor Monica Parry is leading a nation-wide study focused on better understanding the needs of unpaid caregivers specifically looking at how race, ethnicity, sex, gender and age impact their experiences.
6) U of T breaks ground on state-of-the-art building for training health professionals in Scarborough
New facility will house the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) and help foster a vital pipeline for nurse practitioners in the Scarborough region.
“Nurses are a formidable and passionate force, and I say to all the young nurses out there, ‘We can make an impact anywhere and everywhere we go,’” – Sheila Tlou.
Our National Nursing Week keynote speaker and Botswana’s former Minister of Health, Professor Sheila Tlou shared how she came to be one of the most outspoken nursing leaders in her fight to address health equity.
8) Paying it Forward: Audrey’s Place Foundation Gift Supports Nursing Education
A generous donation from the Tepper Family’s charitable organization Audrey’s Place Foundation, will fund full tuition costs for up to ten nursing students with a goal of increasing the number of scholarships provided over the next five years.
9) Don’t let age stop you – Nursing grad leaves sage advice for future nurses
Becoming a nurse practitioner at 55 was a decisions and challenge that recent Bloomberg Nursing graduate Glen Gardner was more than happy to embrace. He sheds some light on his career trajectory and his thoughts on what makes nursing so unique.
10) Reshaping the Future of Nursing – Our New Brand
More than a century after Ms. E. Kathleen Russell established a Department of Public Health Nursing at the University of Toronto, Bloomberg Nursing has launched a refreshed brand identity that speaks to the transformation of the nursing profession and the future trajectory of U of T Nursing graduates.