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Dr. Ruth Martin-Misener (DipOCHN’86, BScN’92, MN’00), director of the School of Nursing, shared her perspective on the importance of celebrating this achievement. “It’s about engaging people in the sharing of that evolution and bringing us together again across the generations and all the decades,” she explained. 

In preparation for the anniversary, Dr. Martin-Misener and her colleagues looked at how they could both celebrate and honour the hard work of nursing students. This led to the creation of the . The fund builds upon the success of the Nursing 65th Anniversary Scholarship, which was established in 2014 and continues to provide critical financial support to nursing students.

Impact on advancing education

Created with generous contributions from alumni, faculty, and friends of the school, the Nursing 75th Anniversary Scholarship is designed to alleviate some of the financial challenges faced by nursing students. The funding supports both undergraduate and graduate students and helps cover costs associated with research, travel for presentations, and publications.

Scholarships are particularly important given the demanding nature of the nursing program. Dr. Martin-Misener highlighted the challenges that students often face in balancing a rigorous academic schedule with the need to work and manage family life. “Every semester, I have to give out emergency funding to help some students get by,” she noted. Financial assistance provides students with the flexibility needed to focus on their studies and contribute to the development of overall nursing knowledge.

A former student’s journey

The impact of the School of Nursing can also be seen through its alumni, who have gone on to make significant contributions to the field. Professor Damilola Iduye (MN’16), a recipient of the Nursing 65th Anniversary Scholarship, is one such example. Originally from Nigeria, Iduye came to Dalhousie after earning a nursing diploma and working as a nurse before pursuing her Master of Nursing. She says her time at Dal was transformative, providing her with opportunities and connections that shaped her career in ways she never anticipated.

She says one of the pivotal moments in her education came through a connection with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education. Iduye was involved in a provincial multi-stakeholder workgroup focused on integrating internationally educated nurses (IENs) into the Canadian health-care system. Her involvement in this workgroup led her to establish a Facebook group in 2015 to provide peer support for IENs, which has grown into a formal organization.

“It has been a privilege and an honour to be able to advocate for internationally educated nurses across Canada...and it all started with my program at Dalhousie,” she says.

Iduye’s journey also underscores the significance of mentorship and networking. Through her involvement in the Canadian Nurses Association Congress, she was able to connect with influential nursing leaders, including Dr. Judith Shamian, president of the International Council of Nurses, and Professor Sheila Tlou, former health minister of Botswana. These experiences were pivotal in shaping her career and expanding her understanding of the diverse roles that nurses can play in the health-care system. 

Her time at Dalhousie also led to opportunities in teaching and health policy, further solidifying her commitment to community-based care. Reflecting on receiving the Nursing 65th Anniversary Scholarship, Iduye expresses gratitude for that support, which came at a critical time in her educational journey. 

“To the donors of the fund, thank you,” she says. “Without your support, I wouldn’t have felt the validation I felt at the time. Their generosity gave me—a stranger who was navigating this new system—the validation I needed to keep moving forward.” 

Iduye’s journey showcases how the School of Nursing empowers students to overcome challenges and make contributions to health care. As Dr. Martin-Misener says to students: “Nursing will change your life, and through nursing, you will change the lives of others in ways that you cannot even imagine.”