Nursing students Lindsay Ingram (left), Stefanie Lamoureux and Saudia Jadunandan strike a pose with their patient dummy in Durham College’s Simulation Lab for National Nursing Week.

What better way to celebrate the beginning of International Nurse of the Year, than to have guest speakers, demonstrations and a career day for post-secondary students?

That’s exactly what Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) did in honour of National Nursing Week from May 10 to 16. Inspired by Florence Nightingale’s birthday, National Nursing Week was created in 1985 as a joint effort between the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the federal government.

The week kicked off with a presentation on humanitarian nursing which featured a panel of nurses that have travelled all over the world working with patients. The panel presentation sparked the interest of fourth-year UOIT Nursing student Zainab Lulat, who is taking travelling into consideration while pursuing her future career.

“I would definitely work in another country,” said Lulat. “It was great to see people in our field working in different places like Haiti and Peru.”

A mix-and-mingle was held on May 11, where students could interact with their peers while meeting other nursing students. Simulation demonstrations took place on May 13 in the student Simulation Lab, one of the most advanced nursing labs in Ontario. Current nursing students provided live demonstrations of situations covered in the program, showcasing what they’ve learned throughout their studies.

Career Day was featured at the end of the week, where the college and university hosted Grade 9 and 10 students to provide them with a glimpse of what the schools’ nursing programs have to offer. “It increases your skill set,” said Lulat. “You learn something new every day.”

Sue Coffey, director of the Nursing program at UOIT was pleased with the turnout and support from students considering the time of year. She feels this national week will only become more successful in the future.

“The field is growing and will continue to grow as awareness is raised and information is provided,” said Coffey. “For some students it’s a life of adventure.”

Susan Sproul, dean of the college’s School of Health & Community Services collaborated with Coffey to create activities for the week-long celebration. Events were open to everyone – including nursing staff and educators from the department’s community hospital partners, who came out to help people recognize that everyone works together to make nursing happen.

“National Nursing Week is a great opportunity to put nurses in the spotlight and recognize them for all they do,” said Coffey.

For more information about Durham College’s nursing program, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.