Remembering a Devoted Patient Advocate

“The most important thing she took away from her University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing education was that the nurse is the patient’s advocate.”

Ken Krauss (BComm’80) describes his late wife and College of Nursing alumna Wanda Krauss (BSN’80) as the nurse who always went the extra mile to advocate for her patients.

Wanda started her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Saskatchewan in September 1976, alongside her husband, who was studying to become an accountant.

“When Wanda decided she wanted to become a nurse, she planned to go to a technical institute for a two year nursing diploma,” said Ken.

“I didn’t know much about nursing education, but my father graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1949 and always said a university education was invaluable and easy to carry around. Wanda decided instead to apply to USask and was accepted into the degree nursing program.”

Wanda paid her tuition the first year of school and then was awarded a scholarship each year for the remaining three years of her program, based on academic achievement. She completed her degree in May 1980 and passed her registered nurse licensure examination in June.

Ken and Wanda married in August 1979, between third and fourth years of university. When they completed their programs, they moved to Regina, where Wanda worked in intensive care at Regina General Hospital until she retired in 1994.

When Wanda began working as a registered nurse, there were few nurses with degrees; the majority were diploma prepared.

“Wanda was highly regarded by her nursing colleagues and the medical staff in intensive care where she worked her entire career,” said Ken.

“I remember her telling me after one shift the medical director came to do rounds and called out Wanda’s name to round with him, as she had many times before when she was the assigned charge nurse for the shift. She told him she couldn’t because she was not the charge nurse that day and knew only about her assigned patient. He told her to get the charts and come with him on rounds, which she did. Her colleagues told her the same doctor would barely be through the door to the unit when he would be calling her name, even on her day off. Her knowledge and skills were sought out by nurses and doctors alike. Such was Wanda’s reputation for strong patient care and medical knowledge.”

The esteem the doctors had for Wanda, Ken credits to Wanda’s nursing degree.

“She came home and told me many times when she went head to head with top doctors to advocate for her patient. She truly believed her number one job was to be the patient’s advocate and she felt she could advocate for her patients because of her degree education. Being a nurse is what defined her and she was very proud to be a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing.”

Ken and Wanda were married for almost 42 years before Wanda passed away on July 9, 2021 in Guelph, Ontario. He remembers her as the most caring and compassionate person he knew; two traits he feels all nurses share.

“It was amazing to see how many people valued her medical knowledge and how she helped them navigate the health care system,” said Ken.

“In my experience, nurses are some of the most kind and considerate people.”

Outside of being a nurse, Ken describes Wanda as an avid reader, accomplished pianist, and skilled card player.

Ken is a generous supporter of the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing.

“If my donations can help someone become a nurse like Wanda, that is all I can ask. I will continue to donate to the college on the anniversary of important days in our lives.”

“Nurses are the backbone of the health care system. Without them, there is no health care. They are on the front line day and night, 365 days a year. Doctors and other health care professionals come and go into patient’s rooms, but nurses are always there to care for their patients. The nurses working today, mentor the nurses of tomorrow. We need more nurses and we need to see their contribution recognized more.”