MOMENTOUS ISSUES

By prioritizing social justice and equity in nursing education, the School works to create a more compassionate and responsive healthcare system that meets the needs of all Canadians, while maintaining the highest standard for nursing education through compassion, humanistic and scientific caring, clinical excellence, professional and social responsibility, and critical inquiry.

Working alongside the remarkable nursing change-leaders in the School are our undergraduate and graduate students.

to expand endowed chair positions, research centres, and experiential learning opportunities; to expand endowed chair positions, research centres and experiential learning opportunities, both locally and abroad; attract world-class scholars who value Indigenous Knowledge, environmental sustainability, and social justice; and create new initiatives and programs that advance the cross-pollination of ideas. It will produce leaders that can help rebuild some of the shaky social bridges between our current post-pandemic communities.

Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant shortcomings in Canada’s healthcare system, including issues related to access to care, healthcare infrastructure, and pandemic preparedness. It highlighted the strain on healthcare resources and personnel, particularly in long-term care homes and hospitals, resulting in inadequate care for patients and increased risk for healthcare workers. It also exacerbated long-standing health inequities and disparities, particularly among marginalized communities.

As Canada continues to navigate the pandemic and its aftermath, there is a critical need to address these shortcomings and strengthen our healthcare system to better serve the needs of all Canadians.

On the frontlines stand our nurses, providing care to individuals of all ages with varying levels of health and social needs. Canada’s population is aging and becoming increasingly diverse. Today’s nursing graduates need to possess the skills and knowledge necessary to provide culturally sensitive care and address health inequities among marginalized populations. Additionally, Nursing graduates play a critical role in promoting healthy aging and supporting older adults to maintain their independence and quality of life.

The Trent/Fleming School of Nursing is a leading change agent for healthcare and a driver of social justice. It prepares students to become advocates for equal care, recognizing the ways in which social determinants of health impact health outcomes and working to address health disparities. Prioritizing social justice and equity in nursing education, the School works to create a more compassionate and responsive healthcare system that meets the needs of all Canadians, while maintaining the highest standard for nursing education through compassion, humanistic and scientific caring, clinical excellence, professional and social responsibility, and critical inquiry.

Through simulation labs, clinical placements, international brigades and community-based projects, students are acquiring unmatched skills, knowledge, and real-world experience.

Trent’s Campaign for Momentous Change supports students within the School of Nursing through scholarships, bursaries, and student wellness. Support will help provide relevant, leading-edge, and accessible learning environments (such as the existing internationally accredited Simulation Hub and oncampus Indigenous medicine garden) and the latest learning technologies, such as high-fidelity mannequins that respond to nursing procedures and virtual reality equipment that provides immersive simulation experiences.

It also opens the door to new possibilities.

Imagine an in-setting education unit where students learn while delivering patient care in a fully operational hospital or long-term care home, or a mobile harm reduction unit that demonstrates the immediate, tangible impact of Trent nurses in the community. This is but one possibility that can stem from the Campaign for Momentous Change

By investing in students from diverse backgrounds, we foster fresh thinking, broad perspectives and empathy driven by unique experiences. But equitable learning opportunities only happen when we reach students where they are—whether on campus, in remote Indigenous communities, or in isolated pockets around the world. Momentous Change will help remove barriers, make nursing education accessible and work to increase primary care capacity in some of Canada’s most underserved communities.

Education

As the educational dust from the pandemic settles, both students and educators across Canada continue to experience and face significant challenges, particularly in areas of learning loss, mental health and access to education. The learning loss disproportionately affected students from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom were lacking the resources and support needed to learn effectively from home. Additionally, the pandemic significantly impacted the mental health and well-being of students across Canada and around the world, with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. The transition to online learning highlighted significant inequalities in access to education, and emphasized the need for innovation and flexibility in education, with a renewed focus on personalized learning and the integration of technology. Canada continues to address these challenges.

Trent’s School of Education remains at the forefront of teacher education— nurturing educators, but most importantly learners, who are ready to create new knowledge, flourish in a technology-driven environment, and lead with compassion.

Trent’s School of Education fosters a holistic pedagogical approach that increases our understanding of ourselves, each other, and the world around us. They believe that education benefits every facet of society and opens the doors to opportunities for momentous change.

The Campaign for Momentous Change will inspire research and discovery in the School of Education by removing barriers to education and creating an environment where new ideas flourish, excellence is celebrated, and where students become a driving force for social and environmental transformation. It will create more opportunities for tomorrow’s teachers to learn and develop on the land and in our communities.

Through scholarships, bursaries, travel funds, student wellness, and more, the School of Education will attract and support students from all backgrounds. This diversity will help produce advocates for social and environmental justice, equity, and reconciliation.

Momentous Change will also help create inspiring places in which to learn, collaborate and explore. Imagine a forest kindergarten where young learners are encouraged to play, explore, and foster a deeper connection with the world around them; or an on-campus gym space where teacher candidates can investigate the interplay between physical activity and learning. All of this is possible, and more.

Education will always face new challenges. By producing educators capable of adapting to innovative teaching practices and technologies— and who are eager to work with the individual needs of all students—these challenges can continue to be overcome.