Grenfell Campus, Memorial University’s beautiful west coast campus, is located in Corner Brook, NL. Small yet mighty, Grenfell Campus is a place to ask bold questions, to aspire, to express yourself fully, to test theories, and to make discoveries. Our campus is a tight-knit, diverse community where you’ll make real connections with your classmates and become an important part of our community. Professors and students from around the globe are drawn to our magnetic spirit of adventure and curiosity, being brought together in an exceptional place by a common thirst for learning.

The Western Regional School of Nursing (WRSON) is part of a nursing collaborative program which is offered at locations across the province, including: Western Regional School of Nursing, Corner Brook; Memorial University Faculty of Nursing, St. John’s; Centre for Nursing Studies, St. John’s; and satellite locations in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay (Labrador Campus). All locations offer the same curriculum.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Collaborative) Program provides you with skills that are in high demand. As a nurse you’ll become an integral member of the largest and most influential group of health care providers. You will help improve the lives of individuals, families and entire populations, in all corners of the world. We offer students both real and simulated client care experiences in a variety of care areas. The number of clinical experience hours our students complete throughout the program is among the highest in the country.

WRSON has state of the art clinical skills and simulation laboratories which enable us to offer high quality learning experiences. These laboratories support contextualized teaching and learning of the required skills and competencies for professional nursing practice. WRSON simulation activities are designed to foster the application of critical thinking and judgment skills in a safe, experiential learning environment throughout the program. In these labs learners apply a range of skills in an environment that reflects the realities of current clinical practice.

The school offers a variety of collaborative pathways to completion of a BScN on a variety of campuses:

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) (Collaborative) Program at Memorial University is a competitive program composed of two admission options: 4-Year Option and Accelerated Option. The BScN is delivered at six sites: Memorial University Faculty of Nursing (MUNFON) in St. John’s, the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS) in St. John’s, Gander, Grand Falls – Windsor, the Western Regional School of Nursing (WRSON) in Corner Brook, and the Labrador Campus in Happy Valley – Goose Bay. All sites offer the same degree program.”

There are several admissions pathways for entry into our BScN (Collaborative) Program. Be sure to review our web pages for high school applicants, current Memorial University students, LPN Bridging applicants, other post-secondary students, and international applicants, as they apply to you.

School of Nursing Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

Western Regional School of Nursing Strategic Plan 2018-2024

Values (includes):

Diversity: A culture of diversity and inclusiveness is fostered through the recognition/celebration of the enrichment that comes from the interactions of people of various backgrounds and cultures.

Strategic Direction 3:

Embrace diversity to understand and support the Indigenous and non-Indigenous journey toward truth and reconciliation.

Objective One

Advance the process of Canadian reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada Calls to Action.

Actions

1. Provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff to gain a knowledge of Indigenous peoples, histories and cultures, and the continued impacts of colonization.
2. Provide ongoing education and professional development opportunities for students, faculty and staff on issues affecting Indigenous people and their health needs.
3. Support a learning environment that is inclusive of Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
4. Establish respectful and meaningful relationships between Indigenous communities and the School of Nursing.
5. Advance research with Indigenous peoples.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS)

NLHS Strategic Plan 2024 – 2026

Values (ICARE): includes

Respect

We are inclusive, embrace diversity and advance reconciliation. We provide care in ways that are fair and reflective of the knowledge, values, beliefs and cultures of the people we serve.

Strategic Issue # 5

Health Equity

Health Equity is achieved when disparities in health data between groups dud to social and structural factors are reduced or eliminated.

Goal Indicators

• Improved care experiences for those who experience inequities
• Improved processes and tools for improved health equity, data monitoring, collection and use
• Reduced inequities in access to clinical trials across Newfoundland and Labrador
• Strengthened partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and communities to support culturally safe and equitable care.

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

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 the Grenfell Campus Home Page and Western Regional School of Nursing program. Also on Memorial University 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 Western Regional School of Nursing – Grenfell Campus reviewed and approved the document. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Research Assistant:  Timothy Maton