Calling All Nurses

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Listen as Dr. Bernie Pauly describes her research projects over time, making change with people on the margins. She discusses how she got there, what motivates her and how the teams she worked with made it happen. 

Dr. Bernie Pauly is a Professor in the School of Nursing, a Scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and a University of Victoria Community Engaged Scholar. Her research focuses on the promotion of health equity at the intersection of substance use and homelessness in collaboration with communities impacted by health inequities. Her research has informed provincial, regional, and national harm reduction policies in nursing, housing and healthcare including National Operational Guidance for Managed Alcohol Programs. She is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing and Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and an international collaborator with Salvation Army Centre for Addictions Services and Research at the University of Stirling (Scotland) and the Australian MAP Protocol Steering Committee. For her work and contributions, she has received numerous awards including the Canadian Public Health Association Ron Draper Health Promotion Award, Nurse and Nurse Practitioner Association of BC: Excellence in Advancing Nursing Knowledge and Research Award, a BC Reconciliation Award and BC Community Achievement Award and Phillip Owen Award for Excellence in Policy Research.

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An Introduction to Environmental Racism for Nurses is an online heart, arts, and land-based continuing education course for nurses. This course is designed to empower nurses across Canada with essential knowledge on the critical issues of environmental racism and environmental justice. Listen as our guests describe how they translated their collaboration, evidence, and advocacy to action.

Alysha T. Jones (she/her) is a second-generation white settler nurse educator and community health nurse, grateful to live on the lands of the T’Sou-ke and Sc’ianew Nations, and to teach and practice on the lands of the W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən Nations. She has a background in ecopsychology and teaches in undergraduate nursing studies at Camosun College, as well as an online course on environmental justice and planetary health at the University of Northern BC. Alysha co-chairs the Environmental Justice and Reconciliation Committee of the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment. 

Keara Allen, M.A., received her Masters in Globalization at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, were her research - grounded in anti-racist and anti-colonial principles - investigated the intersections between environmental racism, climate change inequities, and health in Indigenous and historical Black communities in Canada. As an environmental and climate justice researcher, consultant, and advocate, Keara dedicates her work towards advancing equity for historically marginalized groups, and promoting healthier communities and ecosystems.

Shona Lalonde RN, BScN, MN (she/her) obtained a Masters degree in Nursing from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, focusing on the structural factors determining the health of equity-denied populations. She held a nursing faculty position for 15 years at Camosun College, and has a strong background in course and curriculum development. Shona has extensive experience in health promotion, community, and population health. Her nursing practice has focused primarily on promoting the health of equity-denied populations in both rural and inner-city settings. Her areas of current engagement are nursing education and planetary health, social justice, and advocacy. 

Links from the podcast:

https://cane-aiie.ca/environmental-racism-course/ 

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The Learning Our Way project aims to address systemic racism and promote health equity for Indigenous peoples through field schools led by Indigenous Knowledge Holders. This three-year project, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), is a partnership between, Wuikinuxv, Kwakiutl, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’, Dzawada̱ a̱ʼenux̱ x̱w communities and North Island College.  

Evelyn and Joanna are nurse researchers for the Learning Our Way project and Paul Willie acted as a Project Advisor. Evelyn and Paul are both of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, of the Dzawada̱ a̱ʼenux̱ x̱w  tribe and both acted as Indigenous Knowledge Keepers for the project. Evelyn is an Elder in Residence at North Island College and Joanna has spent most of her career working with and advocating for health equity for Indigenous people. 

This podcast includes only the voices of Evelyn and Joanna because Paul passed away on April 20, 2025, before we had a chance to record his perspectives. Paul was a treasured Noxsola (wise one), generously sharing his cultural knowledge, life lessons and philosophical insights, particularly in his contributions to the Learning Our Way project.

Since the first field school was offered in 2007 Paul has helped all of those involved to understand, challenge and change our colonial mindsets.  His teachings include reminding us that “there are two laws we all must live by:  to look after the environment and to look after each other. There are two tasks this requires: to let go of fear and to practice unconditional love” ( Paul Willie 2022).  

Paul generously shared his traditional knowledge stating: “We have chosen to experience our physicality in these times, to evolve by our experience, the evolution of our spiritual beingness. We must always come from a learning mindset. We are spiritual beings having a physical experience. He explained that the “importance of programs like Learning Our Way is that when we learn about others, we learn about ourselves,” (Paul Willie, 2023). 

Joanna expresses her deep gratitude for having had the opportunity to learn from Paul and how his teachings have helped her to live a deeper, more meaningful life, not only as a nurse and educator but humbly as a person. G̱̱ilakas'la, Paul (Joanna Fraser, May 2025).

During his funeral service at T'saxis Gukwdzi, Paul's decades of work towards improving the healthcare system for Indigenous peoples was proudly emphasized along with his contributions to field schools, Learning Our Way and his consultation work with North Island College.

Even though his voice is not included in this podcast his work and spirit are all through it.  

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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 3 of Calling All Nurses! Listen as Mariko discusses her collaborative research with both older adults and caregivers lived experiences to enhance outcomes at home, or in community, for older adults. 

Mariko Sakamoto joined the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria as an Assistant Professor in January 2023. She is a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience—primarily in community settings—and is a nurse researcher focused on enhancing the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of older adults, particularly those who live with dementia. Mariko’s research is grounded in community-engaged and Participatory Action Research approaches and she is especially interested in how communities can be more dementia friendly and inclusive. She currently serves as President of the Gerontological Nurses Association of British Columbia.

flippingstigma.com 

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Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 3! Listen as Kent and Lenora discuss the current landscape of clinical nursing and how frustration with the  impossible situations new nurses were expected to navigate, turned into research. Channeling the frustration of new nurses leaving the profession,  Kent and Lenora describe how their collaboration and subsequent engagement with co-leading a research project, is addressing these impossible situations with understanding and tangible actions.  

Kent Soltys is a dedicated healthcare leader, clinical nurse educator, and advocate for innovation in nursing education and leadership. With over a decade of frontline experience in emergency, acute, and rural healthcare, he has cultivated a passion for advancing nursing practice through education, mentorship, and research.

Living and working on Vancouver Island, Kent has helped develop practical, hands-on education tools, including simulation-based learning experiences that support nurses in building confidence and clinical skills. His expertise in nursing leadership, goal-setting, and professional development has led to national recognition, including published works in the Canadian Journal of Nursing and speaking engagements at conferences such as the Canada West Leaders Conference. He also presented his co-led “Re-Charge the Charge Nurse” research initiative at the Health Quality BC Quality Forum and was recently honored to write the foreword for Carol Faria, RN’s book Crisis to Clarity. In recognition of his contributions to nursing and healthcare, he received the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award from Mount Royal University.

Beyond his professional life, Kent is a devoted husband and father of young children and finds his greatest joy in the outdoors. Whether fishing, hiking, or exploring the natural beauty of Vancouver Island, he lives for the adventure and serenity that nature provides.

Lenora is a Professor and Director in the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria. She has practiced as a Registered Nurse in a range of maternal-infant and educational settings and roles for over 40 years. Her research interests include perinatal substance use, neonatal opioid withdrawal, and supporting quality nursing education. Lenora’s passions include supporting new families to have a strong start together and ensuring students have great learning experiences and a positive transition to professional nursing practice.

On the other side of the curtain: why what we say when we think nobody can hear matters: https://www.canadian-nurse.com/blogs/cn-content/2025/01/20/on-the-other-side-of-the-curtain

MICRO changes for macro results: altering nursing goal-setting to maximize leadership potential: https://www.canadian-nurse.com/blogs/cn-content/2024/01/15/micro-goal-setting

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Welcome to Season 3 of Calling All Nurses! We are excited to present episodes this season that draw a picture of collaboration between nursing practice, nursing education, nursing research, and communities to improve the health and wellbeing of both populations and the lives of nurses. 

Listen as our first guest, Celise Hack, shares how collaboration with communities in her region of rural nursing practice worked to increase access to health care information, supports, and services. The Community Well, a volunteer group in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan came together with the goal of addressing post-pandemic health concerns and impact at a grass roots level, particularly with older adults. Linking older adults to programs and services to bridge gaps while evaluating current regional infrastructure was a goal to help older adults age in place, decreasing social isolation, and improving general health and well-being.

Celise Hack is a wife, a proud mom of two young hockey-loving boys, and a registered nurse with 12 years of experience across internal medicine, long-term care, home care, and primary care. Passionate about building healthier communities, Celise founded The Community Well, a nonprofit organization she leads alongside an amazing team of volunteers to support wellness initiatives in her area.

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Listen as NIC faculty alumni and Calling All Nurses co-hosts Betty Tate, RaeAnn Hartman, and Martha Russell discuss with their guest, Shanyn Simcoe, how her nursing education at NIC led her to political advocacy and change making in community health policy against the backdrop of the toxic drug poisoning public health crisis. 

Shanyn was a guest on Season One of the podcast and we were thrilled to have her back with us in front of our live audience!

Shanyn Simcoe is a registered nurse of settler and Indigenous ancestry raised in Treaty 13 territory and currently residing on the unneeded and traditional territory of the K'omox Nation. Shanyn's nursing career has been predominantly in direct care in acute psychiatry, primary care, and community-based Mental Health and Substance Use with a recent shift to a regional quality and safety leadership role following completion of an advanced practice leadership graduate degree. For her, in addition to being an inherent responsibility, political activism is also an act of self-care. 

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Get set to listen as some of our Season Two guests convene and reflect collaboratively on key takeaways from listening and learning from each other at Calling All Nurses and their greatest wish for nurses and nursing right now. 

In Episode 6, Adriane Gear compared the current landscape of nursing like a plane just waiting and ready for takeoff. Continuing the metaphor, the outstanding leadership our guests represented this season are packed and ready for a new era of nursing, trying new solutions, and committed to transforming health systems while respecting what needs to stay or change. Season One was aptly summarized as a Love Letter to Nursing. The summary for Season Two that emerged is Nursing as the Heartbeat of Healthcare, fearlessly, boldly, and compassionately moving forward. As Leigh Chapman stated, rethinking the way in which we value nursing is key…seeing it as an investment in society rather than a cost center plugging holes, shifts the power. This episode is brimming with key messages and reflections from all the guests. Don’t miss it! 

We can't wait for Season 3 and will be sure to notify you when it's ready!

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The Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment BC Committee (CANE BC) is a group of actively practicing as well as student and retired nurses. Their work began many years ago throughout the province. They are now joining forces as one provincial committee to have a greater impact given the urgency of the Climate Crisis and the compelling need to protect planetary health (CANE-BC, 2024).

 Listen as Aggie discusses the advocacy, action, and awareness which are the cornerstones of the work of CANE-BC as well as the national CANE organization. Aggie tells us about the collaboration, opportunities, and initiatives that underscore creating change for the planet at this crucial time in our history and how to get involved!

 Aggie is the Director, Research and Knowledge Translation at Providence Health Care in Vancouver. She supports clinicians in research and knowledge translation projects, including leading the Practice-based Research Challenge and the KT Challenge programs, incorporating planetary health actions into her initiatives. Aggie is the BC representative to the national board of the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment. She completed her BSN at the University of Washington, Seattle, and her Master of Public Health at Simon Fraser University. She is an adjunct professor at the UBC School of Nursing and Research Associate, Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes.

 Aggie was recently named the recipient of the 2024 Nursing Leadership Award by The Canadian College of Health Leaders, sponsored by the Canadian Nurses Association. The Canadian College of Health Leaders brings together Canadian health leaders from across the country, disciplines, and sectors, creating opportunities and support for members toward high impact leadership in Canadian healthcare. Congratulations Aggie!

 Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment:  https://cane-aiie.ca

Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment BC and the Municipal Elections: A Climate Action Toolkit:  https://cane-aiie.ca/bc/

The Canadian College of Health Leaders:  https://cchl-ccls.ca  

Book recommendation: Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and Its Power to Change Our World by Sarah DiGregorio

Instagram: @calling.all.nurses

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The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives [BCCNM] is the health regulator for five distinct professions— licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and midwives. Regulation allows BCCNM to set standards for nurses and midwives. These standards ensure the public receives safe, competent, and ethical care. BCCNM honours the trust that the public puts in their hands and aspires to create unwavering confidence in the public’s every interaction with nurses and midwives (BCCNM, 2024). Join us and listen as Christine Penney, Chief Officer of Regulatory Policy and Programs at BCCNM, describes the bigger picture of regulation and why public policy is so important to nursing. 

As Chief Officer of Regulatory Policy and Programs, Christine provides leadership and oversight to the college's core regulatory functions. Her portfolio includes education program review, policy, practice, quality assurance, registration, regulatory learning, inquiry, discipline, and monitoring. 

After working in a variety of executive roles in service delivery, government, research, and public policy, Christine joined the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia in 2008 as Director of Policy. She led transformational projects to shift the college from a dual mandate to a single mandate focused on regulation for public protection. Most recently, she held the position of Chief Officer of Regulatory Policy and Programs for the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals.  

Having worked from bedside to boardroom, Christine has extensive health system experience across acute, community, and private sectors, and at regional, national, and international levels. She worked with Accreditation Canada, nationally and internationally, to lead health system accreditation and leadership development. Christine completed two terms on the Institute for Regulatory Excellence Committee of the National Council State Boards of Nursing. She serves in the International Nurse Regulator Collaborative and is Chair, board of directors for a national non-profit. 

Christine is passionate about the quality and sustainability of Canada's public health system and the regulatory functions that uphold the public's confidence in the health system. She is excited about regulatory modernization and looks forward to leading the development of integrated regulatory programs that support relevant high practice standards for health professionals and improved public protection.  

Christine is a registered nurse who holds an MPA and a PhD in Public Administration.

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