College of Nursing Update

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing is committed to offering students across this province access to high quality nursing education. The College has undergone a tremendous amount of change over the last decade. Although this change has prompted clear messages of frustration and, at times, disappointment, from our faculty, the future of the College of Nursing can and should be bright.

I acknowledge the challenges in the College of Nursing are longstanding and need to be addressed. The vote of non-confidence in USask College of Nursing leadership, although not unanimous, does signal that a response is needed. Since my arrival six and a half months ago, I have met with each faculty member individually, as well as different groups of tenure track faculty, instructors, and staff. I have created an environment open for dialogue.

I know change is progressing and requires a united effort. I am confident that in time, positive change will occur, but I need faculty and staff to be part of the solution. I need us to unite and for faculty to step up into leadership positions. All of us must work together, not against each other. We have great potential to achieve so much, together.

I respect the result of the vote last week. USask is committed to robust governance in all meetings. A concern has been raised by some College of Nursing members regarding governance in past meetings. Great care was taken to make sure this special Council meeting followed correct governance processes. All voting members, including deans, were legitimate members of the meeting. The meeting was open to the wider University community and the faculty union was present.

Last week’s special Council meeting does not change my positive outlook for this College. In the short time I have been at USask, I have observed a strong passion for nursing, nursing education, and research. I see how faculty and staff care for each other and our students. The positive regard our students have for our instructors does not go unnoticed.

Since my arrival in late August 2021, we have increased our research outputs, are in the process of filling leadership positions that are currently filled with interim leaders, will be hiring new faculty, creating a Dean’s advisory committee, and redistributing our current number of nursing seats throughout the province to improve access to our nursing program in underserved areas.  

I joined the USask College of Nursing because I believed and continue to believe in the mission and vision of the College. We will be a world leader in educating nurses and we will strengthen our profession and the health care system in this province. But in order to do so, I need time. I need time for detailed planning, I need time to be responsive, I need time to find solutions to the issues that have spanned a decade. I am fully committed to this College and the positive change ahead.