Master of Nursing graduate Jessica Smart
New nurses ready to ‘dive right in’
When Judah Chepil was 16 and working at a nursing home, he saw the caring nature of nurses firsthand and knew that was the career for him. Today, the 22-year-old is excited to be starting his nursing career in emergency care at St. Boniface Hospital, where he also did his senior practicum.
“I’m ready to dive right in.”
College of Nursing dean Dr. Kellie Thiessen presents Judah Chepil with his nursing pin.
Chepil was one of 97 new nurses who joined the profession on Oct. 22 at the College of Nursing’s pinning ceremony at the Desautels Concert Hall on Fort Garry campus.
At the ceremony, the new graduates received their nursing pin and recited the UM Bachelor of Nursing Pledge, which was adapted from the 1893 Florence Nightingale Pledge.
Dr. Kellie Thiessen, dean of the College of Nursing, emceed the event and congratulated the group before presenting them with their pins.
“We are excited to commemorate your achievement of this significant milestone as you celebrate today with your friends and family,” she said.
The ceremony also included an honour song performed by Elder Carl Stone and remarks from Wanda Phillips-Beck, associate professor of Indigenous initiatives at the college and Seven Generations Scholar at the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba.
Phillips-Beck told graduates the values in nursing are no different from the seven teachings that guide Indigenous people – respect, honour, truth, wisdom, humility, courage and love.
“I hope that you leave here today understanding that nursing is not just an occupation, it is a commitment to uphold those values and to the communities that we serve,” she said.
Valedictorians cite support system, connections with patients
Valedictorians Olivia Steininger (L) and Sarah Livingstone (R).
Most of the graduating students began the bachelor of nursing program in Summer 2023, the first time the college offered a summer intake as part of its expansion. This includes co-valedictorians Sarah Livingstone and Olivia Steininger, both of whom are already working in Winnipeg hospitals.
Livingstone said the fast pace of the 28-month program was challenging, but that she and her classmates were a strong support system for each other. “Nobody outside of your nursing cohort really understands what you’re going through like your classmates do.”
Steininger said what she will remember most are the “human connections” she made with patients while on clinical rotations.
“Even though you’re a student, you are dealing with real people when you’re in the hospital, people that are sick and arguably in one of the worst places of their life. Any part of their day that I can make better … I think that’s just huge,” she said.
20 new nurse practitioners convocate
The students’ convocation was held the previous day, Oct. 21. There, 28 students from the college’s graduate programs also crossed the stage to receive their degrees, including 20 graduates from the nurse practitioner (NP) program.
NP graduate Jaypee Benitez Buhisan is originally from the Philippines, where he worked as a nurse educator. Buhisan plans to work in primary care in Winnipeg. “I am passionate about health promotion and disease prevention efforts and I want to be part of a health care team that supports that goal.”
Jessica Smart graduated from the administrative stream of the college’s master’s program. Her thesis focused on the retention of nurses in Canada and how leadership can play a role in shaping a more sustainable workforce.
“We know that in Canada there’s a significant shortage of health-care providers and nurses are really at the centre of this crisis,” she said.
Smart said building relationships with advisors, classmates and professors was a major highlight of her time in the program.
“I think what sets the University of Manitoba program apart is that you’re learning alongside people that you will be working with in the future, and maybe work with already. That was the most exciting part for me.”
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 1,395 students are graduating this fall, bringing the number of graduates in the class of 2025 to 5,586 so far. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s $7.3 billion economic impact on our community.