Last fall, several members of the Class of 2006 Direct-Entry Master鈥檚 in Nursing graduates who are faculty members at the Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN) began meeting regularly over lunch to reconnect, share experiences and support each other personally and professionally. 鈥淚t struck us as remarkable that such a large representation of our cohort wound up back at 九色视频 teaching nursing, especially when compared with other cohorts,鈥� says Sonia Castiglione. Currently pursuing PhD studies while teaching nursing, Castiglione graduated with ISoN faculty Irene Sarasua, Katherine Logue, Caroline Marchionni, and Kimani Daniel.
As one of the only programs of its kind in Canada, the DE master鈥檚 in nursing was established in 1974. It is designed specifically for students without a nursing background who have a minimum of a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in another field. Students accepted into the program have the advantage of studying at a higher level, with greater opportunities in leadership, research and teaching once they enter the profession.
Today, DE master鈥檚 graduates comprise a significant proportion听of the ISoN faculty. This does not surprise Associate Professor and Interim Associate Director 鈥� Education Lia Sanzone, who taught many of the students who are now her colleagues. As she explains, because they already have undergraduate degrees in a wide variety of fields, DE students bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to their nursing studies. 鈥淭heir curiosity fuels thought-provoking questions, pushing us to reassess traditional nursing practices. When these students return as colleagues, their energy multiplies exponentially, and they begin to question not only the practices but also the pedagogy of our profession and its impact on practice.鈥�
As an undergraduate student in physiology, Castiglione had been conducting bench science. Contemplating next steps, she realized she was more interested in working directly with people than with test tubes. The DE master鈥檚 program offered her the opportunity to become a nurse with the option of pursuing a career in teaching and research. 鈥淚 really appreciated how the program acknowledged and valued our prior experiences, encouraging us to reflect on them as we explored nursing, health, and community. Although it was a challenging program, it taught me how to navigate uncertainty and handle situations where answers aren鈥檛 always readily available鈥攕kills that are incredibly relevant in today鈥檚 world,鈥� she states.
The diversity of the students in her cohort was an appealing aspect of the program for Assistant Professor Caroline Marchionni, who already had a master鈥檚 degree in another field when she decided to become a nurse. 鈥淥ne of my classmates was a retired Catholic priest,鈥� she recalls, adding that there were also several out-of-province students in her cohort, which made for a richer learning experience. 鈥淭he best thing the DE program taught me was being okay with not knowing all the answers. I also learned how find the best evidence-based answers to those questions,鈥� she notes.
The DE program was a perfect fit for Assistant Professor Irene Sarasua, who also serves as Program Director for the Master鈥檚 Nurse Practitioner Program. 鈥淗aving completed an undergraduate degree in international development, I was interested in working in global health. The program was a win-win, allowing me to become a nurse while earning a master鈥檚 degree. My classmates and I became quite a tight group, a relationship that we have continued to this day.鈥�
Moving from classmates to colleagues has been a rewarding experience for the 2006 cohort. As Castiglione explains, 鈥淗aving colleagues who have known you for so long, watched your growth, and understand your background is both comforting and connecting.鈥�
What does it feel like to work with former teachers? For Marchionni, the transition was seamless. 鈥淣urses by their very nature are adaptive and we welcome a diversity of experiences,鈥� she says. Given that master鈥檚 students are known to the School, they are often hired as sessionals and clinical instructors, giving them the opportunity to gain invaluable teaching experience.
Sanzone considers herself fortunate to have worked with many DE students over the years who became esteemed colleagues. 鈥淭hey continue to inspire me to think outside the box and help me grow as a nurse. It's been an honor to witness their personal and professional development and to play a role in their journey,鈥� she concludes.
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Photo caption
Catching up over lunch, left to right: Kate Logue, Sonia Castiglione, Carrie Marchionni, Kimani Daniel, Irene Sarasua.听