Sharing a connection

Sophie Menon worked as a nurse for five years before deciding to become a nurse practitioner (NP). 

“I was volunteering at Siloam Mission and seeing how few people there had primary care providers … I thought if I became a nurse practitioner, I could write prescriptions or become someone’s primary care provider,” she said. “I wanted to look at the whole picture with patients.” 

On Oct. 20, Menon celebrated her convocation and was part of the College of Nursing’s inaugural Graduate Pinning Ceremony at Marshall McLuhan Hall. 

For years, the college has held a pinning ceremony for graduates of its bachelor of nursing (BN) program, which welcomes the new nurses to the profession with a pin from the college. Dr. Genevieve Thompson, associate dean (graduate) and professor, said the college wanted to be able to honour graduates of its master’s and PhD programs in a similar way. 

“Although your programs and future paths differ, you share a connection to nursing and to the people at the heart of our work,” said Thompson, who emceed the ceremony. “Today’s pin can serve as a reminder of that connection, to your learning, to one another and to the College of Nursing community that remains part of this journey.” 

The event honoured two graduates from the PhD in nursing program and 33 from the college’s master’s programs, 26 of which were from the NP program. 

NPs have an extended scope of practice, which includes prescribing medications and ordering diagnostics tests. Many NPs are filling the role of primary care provider, especially in rural communities. In 2025, the college doubled its intake for the program from 25 students per year to 50. 

Speakers included Fjola Hart Wasekeesikaw, Elder-in-Residence at the college, Ashley Carruthers, CEO of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba, Hon. Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training, and Dr. Kellie Thiessen, dean of the College of Nursing, who gave the grads their pins. 

“When I received my master’s of nursing from this university … there was not this much boisterous laughter and song. I like this new tradition. It is our way to honour you,” said Hart Wasekeesikaw. 

Carruthers, who is also an instructor at the college, told the grads they should be “incredibly proud” of themselves.  

“Today, you are not simply completing a program, you are stepping into a profession grounded in compassion, commitment and patient-centred care,” she said.

NP graduate Kathleen Booth is set to start a new position at the Motor Neuron Disease Clinic at Deer Lodge Centre. She previously worked as a public health nurse in Stonewall, Man. She said she was proud to be part of the inaugural event. 

“It was very special to be able to bring my kids and my husband to this celebration. It feels like it’s a long time coming and it sunk in today that we’re done … it feels amazing.”

Bachelor’s students mark entrance to profession  

The college, along with the Nursing Students’ Association, held the pinning ceremony for its 95 newest BN grads on Oct. 22 at the Desautels Concert Hall.

“The pin you receive today marks your entrance to the profession of nursing, and we are excited to commemorate your achievement of this significant milestone,” said Thiessen, who emceed the event and presented pins to the students.  

Other speakers included Deb Chaboyer, Knowledge Keeper-in-Residence, Hon. Uzoma Asagwara, Deputy Premier of Manitoba and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, and Dr. Wanda Phillips-Beck, the college’s Indigenous initiatives lead and advisor to the dean.

Valedictorian Oluwatomiloba Oyewusi told her classmates to remember how much they’ve grown while in the program.

“We came into nursing to learn how to care for people. We leave knowing that the smallest act of care can make the biggest difference in someone’s life,” she said. “I hope we never lose the compassion that brought us here, the humility to keep learning, or the courage to keep showing up for the people who need us.”