When Trinity Western University launched its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in August 2009, it was the first Canadian faith-based graduate nursing program. An innovator in the field, TWU was also among the first universities in Canada to offer a predominantly online graduate nursing program.
As we celebrate Canada’s National Nursing Week (May 11-17, 2020), we are privileged to hear from one of our MSN alumni, May Tao, MSN, BScN, RN, CCHN(C), who currently works for Toronto Public Health.
National Nursing Week’s theme for 2020 is, “Nurses: A Voice to Lead — Nursing the World to Health.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
A match for these inspiring occasions, May Tao is a nurse who is leading in her field. We are grateful to her for the following interview:
What is your perspective on the current situation and on the future of the field of Nursing?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on all health-care sectors. In particular, long-term care (LTC) homes and their residents and staff in Ontario have been badly affected. I believe that our health care system will pursue an integrated and coordinated approach to advance efficiency and cost-effectiveness across all health sectors.
What has your journey at TWU meant for you?
The journey at TWU was an amazing journey for me. TWU Nursing professors are compassionate, knowledgeable, and passionate about their subjects. They go above and beyond to put their students first and help them learn.
At TWU I learned about leadership, knowledge translation and implementation science. I am fortunate to use this knowledge and apply it to my work every day. I’ve also come to understand more about my philosophy of nursing. The Centre of my nursing life is our Lord and He is the one that guides my life. Because of my involvement on implementation science and knowledge translation, God's willing, I hope to pursue a PhD in nursing in the near future.
Where has your life calling in Nursing taken you?
“Abundant nursing life” are the words I will use to tell you about my life after TWU. I coordinated the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) initiative in my organization. Through this involvement, I have been invited by three hospitals in China to mentor them on how to implement Best Practice Guidelines.
In addition, because of the MSN leadership courses from TWU, I was nominated as the President of the RNAO Community Health Nurses Initiatives Group (CHNIG). CHNIG has over 1,000 Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and student members. I used all the knowledge and skills that I learned from TWU to humbly lead this group.
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The vision of Trinity Western University's Master of Science in Nursing program is to foster values-based nursing, educational vitality, excellence in scholarship and in practice, and transformation through Christian graduate nursing education. A strong disciplinary nursing core together with electives allows students to personalize their studies for their unique career path, whether as educators, leaders, or advanced practice nurses.
For more information on TWU Master of Science in Nursing, or on TWU School of Nursing, please visit TWU School of Nursing.
Trinity Western University is Canada’s leading global Christian liberal arts university committed to inspiring hearts and minds.
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