What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to teach here?

I am originally from Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. Prior to joining the Faculty of Nursing UPEI, I worked with Indigenous Services Canada as an Outpost/Community Nurse, a role that involved extensive travel and prolonged periods away from home. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made this travel increasingly difficult and unsustainable. I was subsequently seconded to Veterans Affairs Canada, where I worked remotely. While this arrangement offered stability, I found the lack of interpersonal engagement challenging. In December 2021, I accepted a position as a Clinical Nursing Instructor at UPEI. This transition has been profoundly rewarding, both professionally and personally. Throughout my career, I have valued meaningful connections with learners and colleagues, and I see education as a powerful way to influence the future of nursing. Teaching allows me to share the knowledge and experiences gained from diverse roles while fostering growth and confidence in the next generation of nurses. Being an educator is not just a role—it's a privilege and responsibility I deeply cherish.

What courses are you teaching currently, and what are your areas of expertise?

With over 32 years of nursing experience, my career has been both diverse and non-traditional, providing me with a broad spectrum of clinical knowledge. I have always been passionate about learning and consider myself a lifelong learner. Since joining UPEI, I have focused on developing expertise in healthcare simulation—a dynamic and innovative approach to teaching. I have completed specialized training in simulation and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Adult Education, with much of my work centered on healthcare simulation.

In my current joint position between the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Medicine, I work in the new Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre located in UPEI's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre. Drawing upon my varied background, I design, develop, and facilitate simulations across a wide range of clinical domains and academic levels, including the four-year undergraduate and accelerated nursing programs, as well as the Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner stream. This role allows me to combine my clinical experience with my passion for education, creating immersive learning experiences that prepare students for real-world practice.

What do you find unique and interesting about the Faculty of Nursing and its programs?

One of the things I treasure most about UPEI’s Faculty of Nursing is the supportive and collegial environment—it truly feels like a team. That encouragement has inspired me to keep growing as an educator. I truly feel like we are rooting for the success of every student, and we do our best to support learners as a team, in the best possible way.

I’m also especially excited about the continued expansion of the simulation program. The commitment the Faculty of Nursing has to both the growth and scholarship of simulation education is encouraging and inspiring. I love that this provides an opportunity for both innovation and research into how we teach future healthcare professionals.

Another area that is very close to my heart is reconciliation. I’ve spent many years working with Indigenous communities, and I make it a priority to share those experiences with learners. I talk about what Indigenous nurse mentors, community members, and clients have taught me, and I use my own lived experience to help students understand the challenges many Indigenous Canadians face—such as health equity, poverty, and other social determinants of health. These conversations are so important, and I feel privileged to be part of them.

"Throughout my career, I have valued meaningful connections with learners and colleagues, and I see education as a powerful way to influence the future of nursing."

Are there opportunities for students to work with you in a research or co-instructional capacity?

Student feedback is important in the continuous improvement of our simulation-based learning experiences. Their insights help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical application. Nursing learners understand the value of simulation based learning, and I have had the opportunity to collaborate with them as they develop their own simulations for various assignments and projects.

I have also had the privilege of collaborating with a student and fellow faculty members on research exploring psychological safety of learners and participants within simulation environment; an integral aspect of nursing and adult education in general.

What kinds of professional development in teaching areas are available to you here at UPEI?

Since beginning my journey with the UPEI Faculty of Nursing, I have had the opportunity to attend conferences, participate in formal and informal learning opportunities both university wide and through the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.

Have I forgotten anything essential prospective students and potential faculty members should know about your job?

I do find that being part of a “small town” university fosters a sense of community has so many advantages. There is an element of personal connection and caring that is felt between students, staff, and faculty. It is an absolute privilege to be able to contribute to the learning of the next generation of nurses in this nursing program at UPEI.