Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) are extending their congratulations to several faculty members and students from the Durham College and UOIT Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program and the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to BScN Completion Collaborative program, for their recent recognition by several provincial organizations.

This includes the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO) and Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN).

On April 12 the Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program received the prestigious RNAO Promotion in a Nursing Program Award at the RNAO Leadership Luncheon in Toronto, which is given to nursing schools that have made outstanding contributions to the nursing profession in Ontario. In addition, Dr. Angela Cooper-Brathwaite, an adjunct assistant professor with collaborative nursing program, received the RNAO’s Leadership Award in Political Action, which recognizes a registered nurse (RN) who initiates and partakes in political action that benefits the health of individuals/ clients or profiles or positively positions nursing.

“This overall recognition illuminates the tremendous support for our nursing program, our students and our partners from not only within the program, but across the whole Faculty of Health Sciences,” said Dr. Sue Coffey, director of the Collaborative BScN program, Faculty of Health Sciences, UOIT. “I’d also like to congratulate the faculty, staff and students associated with our award-winning collaborative nursing program.”

Several RPN to BScN Completion Collaborative program students were also honoured for their positive contribution to nursing education including:

• Bahar Karbalaei, a fourth-year student, who received the RNFOO Gala Post-Diploma Scholarship and COUPN 2013 Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Student Level Award.
• Mary Michalski, a first-year student, who received the RNFOO Undergraduate Scholarship.
• Wei Wang a fourth-year student, who received the RNFOO Mary Brunning Harkin Scholarship.

“On behalf of Durham College I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone – faculty, administrators and students – in the collaborative nursing programs for this wonderful recognition,” said Susan Sproul, dean, Durham College School of Health & Community Services. “It is a true reflection of our commitment to delivering a nursing program designed to graduate professional nurses committed to excellence and innovation in assessing and meeting the nursing needs of society as well as the dedication of our students to acquiring the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practise as safe and competent nurses.”

The Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program is also acknowledging its community partner the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Services for receiving the 2013 COUPN Agency Recognition Award. Letters of support from Dr. Ellen Vogel, dean, UOIT Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr. Wendy Stanyon, a professor with the Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program and a long-time research and practice collaborator, were submitted to COUPN in support of the Ontario Shores nomination.