New nurses, midwives join profession and celebrate at convocation.
Over 200 College of Nursing graduates crossed the UM convocation stage on June 1.
The class included 207 bachelor of nursing grads, over half of which finished the program in February and the rest last month, due to the program’s year-round three term structure (another cohort will graduate in the fall).
College of Nursing dean Dr. Kellie Thiessen congratulated the class, noting their hard work and dedication.
“May you continue to grow, learn and serve in one of the most time-honoured and noble professions in the world. We wish you all the best as you begin your career and may it offer many exciting opportunities wherever the profession takes you,” she said.
Those who completed the program in May were welcomed to the profession in a pinning ceremony May 28 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Bazil Hasan was proud to be chosen as one of two valedictorians, along with Nazanin Behboodinejad.
“I think there’s a great diversity in this class,” he said. “There are people in our class that are parents … people that are international students. I've just been so inspired seeing all these people step into the clinical environment and then do the work of healing.”
Hasan was born in Pakistan and moved to Thompson, Man. with his family in 2017. When he initially came to UM in 2022, he was interested in medicine but soon switched to nursing because he liked the more “personal and hands-on” approach.
He’s currently interested in palliative care and wants to start his career in Winnipeg, but one day he’d like to return to Thompson.
The class included five Indigenous grads, some of whom also celebrated at UM’s Traditional Graduation Pow Wow on May 2.
Courtney Chartrand, who is from Sagkeeng First Nation, said she was inspired to go into nursing after working as a health care aide and unit clerk at various sites at Health Sciences Centre.
“I know that there’s more Indigenous health providers needed. I wanted to make contributions to social change, social justice and health equity,” she said.
Going forward, Chartrand is looking forward to working in public health, where she did her senior practicum.
“I really enjoyed public health because rather than just treating an individual client or patient, you’re also looking at families, communities, neighborhoods and society as a whole on a population level,” she said.
Kaydence Morgado Thomas grew up in Winnipeg and has family roots in Norway House Cree Nation. She said she’s seen family members struggle with addiction, which motivated her to make positive changes and become a role model for the younger generations in her life.
Morgado Thomas recently accepted an emergency position at HSC under a designation that recognizes the importance of having someone with lived experience to support and connect with Indigenous patients entering the health-care system.
“This role is significant for addressing Indigenous health care priorities, services and challenges,” she said.
She will also be working casually at Peguis First Nation as a registered nurse.
Six students also graduated from the college’s bachelor of midwifery program, all of which were hired in the field prior to their convocation.
“I’m proud to be part of this strong cohort,” said Kelena Van, who previously studied midwifery in Vietnam before she moved to Canada in 2015. “I waited for years before getting back into what I love.”
Van has accepted a full-time position in Brandon.
“There are a lot of indigenous communities near there. I hope to help bring birth options back to people in those communities, and work with immigrants as well.”
The group was the third midwifery cohort to graduate from UM since the program was founded in 2021. Midwifery grads have a tradition of wearing red shoes with their convocation gowns that symbolize standing up for women’s rights.
“I offer my warmest congratulations to our incredible graduates as they’ve stepped into this vital profession,” said Fleur McEvoy, director of the midwifery program. “We are delighted to see all of the graduates working as registered midwives right here in the province.”
Learn more about the programs at the College of Nursing:
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. Many graduates recognized at Convocation will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s economic impact on our community.
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