In 2007 my present role began as the Dean at the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan and subsequent reappointment for five years. In 2013 I became the Coordinator, Northern Saskatchewan Health & Wellness Research for the International
...MoreIn 2007 my present role began as the Dean at the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan and subsequent reappointment for five years. In 2013 I became the Coordinator, Northern Saskatchewan Health & Wellness Research for the International Centre for Northern Governance & Development at the U of S. My philosophy has been to lead from behind therefore it is not as much about what I have done but rather what others have done because of opportunities I have been able to influence. This is perhaps most evident in my work with remote presence technology. The position of Dean has afforded me the opportunity to influence change and to offer communities with new ways to obtain a pos- secondary education. Our approach to providing education across the province of Saskatchewan was to accept the challenge of a devastated nursing workforce in remote regions of northern Saskatchewan. Technology, specifically remote presence telementoring in combination with video conferencing allowed us to teach clinical skills to students from a distance. This success in the laboratory setting has been expanded using cellular coverage for robotics to provide oral health care in elementary schools and mental health services in police detention setting. I believe my role has been to listen and recognize where opportunities exist. Understanding that outcome measurements need to include return on engagement as well as return on investment has supported the application of technology in nursing education at the community level. This is a new way of measuring health science education.
My major accomplishments have been to situate myself with visionary people who challenge the status quo with alternative ways of being; my career opportunities which reflect pushing beyond my comfort; and perhaps most importantly not being afraid to take a risk in learning to lead. My greatest contribution is in knowing that there is a person’s life that I had the privilege to touch as a nurse, a teacher, a scholar or a friend.
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Technology, Knowledge, and Society
