Celebrating 60 Years of Nursing at 91´«Ã½
Students from the first three classes of 91´«Ã½â€™s former School of Nursing, photographed in 1967.
Front row, from left: Carolyn Bursey, Nora O’Brien, Lorna House, Suzanne Mercer, Maureen Milley, Hope Ludlow, Mary Noseworthy, Lillian Barbour, Barbara Miller, Brenda Kean and Carolyn Bradbury.
Middle row, from left: Cora Humphries, Carol Hussey, Elizabeth Ledwell, Eileen Colbert, Judy Stamp, Ruth Matthews, Anne LeMessieur, Sheila Smith, Ruby Hudson, Heather Laing, Donna Tilley and Karen O’Keefe.
Back row, from left: Patricia Sullivan, Jocelyn Burry, Donna Kearney, Marilyn Holloway, Joan Thorburn, Sandra Moores, Dorothy Sturge, Cheryl Davis, Verda Palmer, Sandra Matthews, Dolores Power, Anne Collingwood, Ruth Mercer, Rosemary Griffiths, Wendy Williams and Judy Butt.
Photograph courtesy of Carolyn Bradbury, Class of 1972, who also provided the names of the students pictured.
From one classroom in 1966 to nursing education throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 1966, 91´«Ã½ opened its School of Nursing to 38 students and three faculty members. Sixty years later, more than 7,000 nurses have graduated from 91´«Ã½. Students, educators, researchers, alumni and partners continue to contribute to health and care throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.
A message from our Dean
Dean Dr. April Pike reflects on 60 years of nursing education at 91´«Ã½ and on the people, partnerships and shared purpose shaping what comes next.
Learning where people live
Today, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) (Collaborative) Program is delivered at six sites: the Faculty of Nursing and the Centre for Nursing Studies in ³§³Ù.&²Ô²ú²õ±è;´³´Ç³ó²Ô’s, the Western Regional School of Nursing in Corner Brook, and Faculty satellite sites in Gander, ³Ò°ù²¹²Ô»å&²Ô²ú²õ±è;¹ó²¹±ô±ô²õ–W¾±²Ô»å²õ´Ç°ù and ±á²¹±è±è²â&²Ô²ú²õ±è;³Õ²¹±ô±ô±ð²â–G´Ç´Ç²õ±ð&²Ô²ú²õ±è;µþ²¹²â.
Students follow a shared curriculum while learning in communities and health-care settings throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Indigenous health, leadership and relationship
While 91´«Ã½â€™s university nursing story is 60 years old, the history of care in this province is much older. Indigenous knowledge, healing, birthing practices and health leadership long predate the School of Nursing. The Faculty’s responsibility is to learn in relationship with Indigenous learners, nurses, knowledge holders and communities, and to support culturally safer, community-defined approaches to health and nursing education.
That commitment is built into the Faculty’s Leading Excellence 2024–2029 strategy, which embeds equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and Indigenization throughout education, research, service and belonging. It is also reflected in teaching, mentorship, research and community partnership.
Dr. Erica (Samms) Hurley, a Mi’kmaw nurse scholar and assistant professor in the Faculty of Nursing, founded the at Grenfell Campus to support community-led, ethical and culturally grounded Indigenous health research.
Her work with Hilary Fry highlights intergenerational mentorship and Indigenous leadership in nursing. Ms. Fry is an Inuk nurse from ±á²¹±è±è²â&²Ô²ú²õ±è;³Õ²¹±ô±ô±ð²â–G´Ç´Ç²õ±ð&²Ô²ú²õ±è;µþ²¹²â and Director, Reconciliation and Equitable Health Systems at the Canadian Nurses Association. She completed both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing degrees at 91´«Ã½.
The next generation of that leadership will soon have a new place to grow. 91´«Ã½ and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are partnering with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) on a new for the province.
Could you lead Indigenous nursing research in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Applications are now open for the Newfoundland and Labrador NIRA Chair, one of 10 new Chairs in the national program. Funded by CIHR in partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and 91´«Ã½, the Chair receives up to $1.175 million over five years. The program supports research led by Indigenous nurses and shaped by the health priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and mentors the next generation of Indigenous nursing researchers and leaders.
Who can apply: Nurses with at least a master’s degree who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis and will be affiliated with an eligible institution or organization in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Application deadline: Feb. 2, 2027. See the .
Information webinar: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026
- Newfoundland time: 2–3:30 p.m.
- Most of Labrador (Atlantic time): 1:30–3 p.m.
CIHR will cover the funding opportunity, eligibility and how to apply. Send eligibility questions to the CIHR Contact Centre at support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. Please share this opportunity with Indigenous nurses, researchers and community partners who may be interested.
Research with a reason
$1.3M+
Research funding at 91´«Ã½â€™s Faculty of Nursing grew from just over $150,000 in 2019 to more than $1.3 million in 2025, an increase of more than eight times.
That growth supports stronger research teams, graduate education, student research, community partnerships and evidence that can improve care. Current work spans primary care, chronic illness, heart health, mental health and workplace well-being, Indigenous health, aging, rural and regional health, evidence implementation, nursing education and health-system questions.
The 2026–27 Faculty of Nursing Academic Series brings this work into public conversation through free seminars, most of them online. Topics include patient well-being, virtual nursing, internationally educated nurses, research methods, culturally responsive education and clinical deterioration.
Stay part of the story
The 60th anniversary is a year to reconnect for everyone who is part of 91´«Ã½ Nursing: alumni, students, faculty, staff, preceptors, partners and friends.
- Faculty alumni and giving
News, stories and ways to support 91´«Ã½ Nursing - Give to 91´«Ã½
Support nursing students or the area you choose - Connect with other alumni
Find classmates and networks through 91´«Ã½ alumni - MUNalum Days
Reunions and events for 91´«Ã½ alumni - Alumni Tribute Awards
Meet the 2026 honourees
Share Your Story
Do you have a photo, memory or story from your time with Nursing at 91´«Ã½? We’d love to hear from you.
Email: nursing60@mun.ca
Educating the Next Generation of Nurses
Nursing is one of the most rewarding and dynamic professions in health care. Nurses are essential to promoting health, preventing illness and supporting individuals, families and communities in diverse care settings.
At 91´«Ã½â€™s Faculty of Nursing, we are proud to educate and inspire the next generation of nurses and nurse leaders.
Our programs
Undergraduate
Prepare for a rewarding career in nursing.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) (Collaborative) Program
Graduate
Advance your professional growth and leadership.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MScN)
Practicum or Nurse Practitioner (NP) option - Post-master’s Nurse Practitioner Graduate Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing