Western Regional School of Nursing

July 1 is Canada Day, but in Newfoundland and Labrador, it also marks Memorial Day.

On this day, we remember the devastation of the Newfoundland Regiment during the Battle of the Somme, near the village of Beaumont-Hamel, on July 1, 1916.

At Grenfell Campus, the Danger Tree Memorial Site, located near the Forest Centre, is dedicated to those who lost their lives at Beaumont-Hamel.

Memorial University is a living memorial, built to commemorate those who served in war and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

🎉 Congratulations to Laura Roberts, Nurse Educator at WRSON, for presenting at the 2026 CASN Biennial Canadian Nursing Education Conference in Mississauga, Ontario!

Laura showcased her group’s work on the comprehensive integration of the CASN Entry-to-Practice Abortion Care Competencies into the Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family course at WRSON. This innovative initiative highlights a commitment to ensuring nursing students are prepared to provide safe, competent, evidence-informed, and patient-centred care.

The project team included:
• Laura Roberts, WRSON
• Peggy Hancock, WRSON
• Rory Tatchell, NHS Western Zone
• Aja Toste, University of Saskatchewan

Congratulations to the team for sharing this important work on a national stage and contributing to the advancement of nursing education across Canada.

🌈

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

Join us as we raise the Progressive Pride Flag, followed by a BBQ and bingo at the GCSU Backlot, as we celebrate community, inclusion, and belonging. Everyone is welcome to attend!

🗓️ June 3 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
📍 Grenfell Campus Flagpoles & GCSU Backlot

Students completing their 4th year community health preceptorship have the opportunity to step outside the traditional acute care setting and experience nursing from a community and public health perspective.

Brooklyn Crane, completing her rotation on the Northern Peninsula, recently partnered with the NorPen Status of Women Council and the RCMP to help lead a community presentation on healthy boundaries in relationships and available supports.

Opportunities like this help students build confidence in community engagement, collaboration, and health promotion & prevention education while highlighting the important role Public Health nurses play within our communities.

Great job to Brooklyn and everyone involved!

We would like to recognize another hero in healthcare who was presented with a Guardian Angel award recently!

Matthew Sheppard was recognized for his phenomenal work while doing his nursing placement in Palliative Care recently and was presented with a Guardian Angel Award from the WRH Foundation at the Nursing Graduation and Awards Ceremony.

The Guardian Angel program celebrates those who have made a significant difference in the lives of their patients, often going above and beyond the call of duty. This was an extra-special award since Matthew was still in the Western School of Nursing BScN Collaborative Program at the time he was nominated.

Matthew's nominator shared their experience and gratitude with us as follows: "Thank you for the genuine care, compassion and support you provided our Dad. On behalf of our entire family, we are truly grateful to you for being our Guardian Angel."

Pictured below: Matthew Sheppard accepting his Guardian Angel award from Suzanne Carey, Executive Director of the WRH Foundation. Congratulations on your Guardian Angel award, Matthew, and thank you for the wonderful care, kindness, and compassion you provide your patients.

Our Foundation would like to extend congratulations to all the Graduates of the class of 2026 and wish you all the success in your nursing careers. We look forward to hearing about all the wonderful things you will accomplish!

Today we celebrated Grenfell Campus Convocation and WRSON Awards Ceremony — a memorable day honouring dedication, perseverance, and achievement.

Congratulations to the BScN Class of 2026 as they begin their journey in the nursing profession. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to the difference they will make in the lives of others.

Congratulations as well to all award recipients on their exceptional achievements and well-deserved recognition.

Lastly, we extend sincere thanks to our special guests, including Premier Wakeham, for joining us and sharing words of encouragement and congratulations to our graduates.

It was truly a wonderful day celebrating the future of nursing. 💙🎓