Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, Memorial, located in St. John’s, has a special obligation to the people of this province. Established as a memorial to the Newfoundlanders who lost their lives on active service during the First World War and subsequent conflicts, Memorial University draws inspiration from these sacrifices of the past as we help to build a better future for our province, our country and our world. At Memorial University more than 19,000 students from over 115 countries come together to discover.

The Faculty of Nursing (FON) follows an approach known as strengths-based nursing to guide nursing education in our undergraduate and graduate programs. In strengths-based nursing, the nurse’s role is to provide information, support and advocacy for patients, families and others to promote health and facilitate healing. It’s an approach pioneered at McGill University’s Ingram School of Nursing and further developed by McGill professor, Dr. Laurie Gotlieb. 

A strengths-based approach encourages nurses to recognize and work with the strengths of patients, their families and others, treating them with respect and listening to them as individuals with personalities, preferences and histories of their own. Strong relational skills are integral to strengths-based nursing practice. The Faculty of Nursing uses a relational inquiry approach to help students develop relational and communication skills that emphasize compassion, curiosity, commitment, competence, and a sincere interest in what is important to patients/clients.

The FON offers a Bachelor of Science (Collaborative) in Nursing (BScN) program with a four-year option and three-year accelerated option. The undergraduate program is offered in collaboration with the Centre for Nursing Studies and Western Regional School of Nursing. The BScN Program is a four-year basic nursing education program leading to a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The curriculum was developed through the collaborative efforts of all schools of nursing in Newfoundland and Labrador and implemented in the 1996-97 academic year. Since then, this high quality program has been the standard for nursing education in the province.

Our graduate programs include a master of science in nursing (MScN) program with practicum and nurse practitioner (NP) options, a post-master nurse practitioner graduate diploma in Nursing, and a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.

Faculty of Nursing Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

Faculty of Nursing Strategic Plan 2024 – 2029

Mission

We are committed to being leaders in promoting health and well-being, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and Indigenization through innovative education, transformative research, and proactive and responsive service. Our graduates will excel in nursing practice and exemplify these attributes. 

Values (includes)

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and Indigenization. We intentionally strive to guarantee equity, diversity, inclusivity, anti-racism, and Indigenization in all Faculty of Nursing activities, including research, teaching and learning, and service.

Faculty of Nursing “About” section:

As a faculty, we are committed to integrating Indigenous knowledge, and ways of knowing and being, into our undergraduate and graduate programs as we continue to adopt the important recommendations contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Report.”

Memorial University

Strategic Framework for Indigenization 2021-2026

The Strategic Framework for Indigenization sets out four strategic priorities: 

1. leadership and partnership
2. teaching and learning
3. research; and 
4. student success.

The framework presents a set of actions grounded in the consultations and framed so Memorial can advance reconciliation. It sets out four strategic priorities: Leadership and Partnership; Teaching and Learning; Research; and Student Success. Within each strategic priority, actions have been identified that reflect what was heard from both Indigenous communities and the university community.

The planning process for the framework began by engaging with Indigenous leadership to determine the best approach in engaging with Indigenous communities. Internally, within the university, a survey helped to inform the approach for university stakeholder engagement. The initial step ensured strong collaboration before and during the process, resulting in a final draft plan that reflects the input of various Indigenous groups across Newfoundland and Labrador and in the university community.

The purpose of the consultations was to gain thoughts and perspectives about past, current and potential engagements between Indigenous communities and Memorial University to guide the development of Memorial’s Strategic Framework for Indigenization.

Call to Action # 24

We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Mandatory Course: In progress.

NURS2100 was piloted for one year and is now in the revision process for formal approval as a mandatory course.

NURS 2100 Indigenous Health, Healing, and Wellness

Examines health and wellness from a variety of Indigenous perspectives. The course will explore several key issues: the history of the ongoing impact of colonization on the health of Indigenous people in Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador; underlying cultural and spiritual practices that frame Indigenous understandings of health and healing; and strategies for enhancing the health and well-being of Indigenous people through culturally appropriate, safe, competent approaches grounded in cultural humility.

Note: This course is taught by an Indigenous Scholar and addresses all the topics in Call to Action # 24.

Mandatory Courses: can be found here and Courses Descriptions: here

The University Calendar, 2023–2024 hosts the Program Requirements for the Department of Nursing.

School of Nursing Commitment to Call to Action # 24: 5 out of 5 = 100%

1. Aboriginal health issues
Yes. See mandatory course description.
2. The history and legacy of residential schools
Yes. See mandatory course description.
3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Yes. See mandatory course description.
4. Treaties and Aboriginal rights
Yes. See mandatory course description.
5. Indigenous teachings and practice
Yes. See mandatory course description.

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing’s “Statement” of apology for colonial harms resulting from nursing education

Dec.11, 2023: CASN apologizes to Indigenous Peoples of Canada for Colonial harms resulting from nursing education…CASN is committed to a process of self-reflection, learning, and transformation. We will take the following steps to address the harms:

1. Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety, and Humility: Promote education, resources, and practices that address anti-Indigenous racism, supporting decolonization, cultural humility, and cultural safety for nursing faculty, staff, and students. Promote institutional policies and processes that address systemic racism to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
2. Curriculum Revision: Promote a review of nursing education curricula to ensure a strengths-based focus and trauma-informed approach, the inclusion of content on the continued impact of colonialism and racism on Indigenous health, as well as Indigenous perspectives on health and well-being.
3. Community Engagement: Establish meaningful partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities to ensure their voices are heard in shaping nursing education policies and practices.
4. Recruitment and Retention: Promote strategies that create culturally safe and supportive learning environments including pre-admission supports, in-program supports, and services that are developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.
5. Ongoing Accountability: In collaboration with Indigenous partners, establish mechanisms to monitor progress and address concerns raised by partners, Indigenous nursing students, and faculty.

Land Acknowledgement: 

Located on Memorial University Home Page and the  Faculty of Nursing Home Page:

We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.

NOTE: All content has been submitted to the respective faculty for validation to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The Memorial University Faculty of Nursing reviewed and approved the document. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Research Assistant:  Timothy Maton