Camosun College nursing students pursuing a career in emergency nursing will have the opportunity to apply for a new bursary recently established in memory of Camosun alumnus Irene McKinlay.
Irene McKinlay, a Registered Nurse and graduate of the college's Nursing program in the 1980s, passed away suddenly after working for many years in the Emergency Room at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
In honour of her memory, an overwhelming number of her colleagues including physicians, nurses, friends and family members contributed over $24,000 to the Camosun College Foundation to create the Irene McKinlay Memorial Nursing Bursary.
Camosun second-year nursing students interested in emergency nursing can apply for the new Irene McKinlay Memorial Bursary starting in September.
"The bursary will be endowed and provide $1,000 annually to a Camosun nursing student in financial need," says Camosun's Dean of Health and Human Services Dr. Cynthia Smith.
Irene McKinlay has been described by her friends and colleagues in the Royal Jubilee Emergency Room as "caring, capable, selfless, knowledgeable, thorough, empathetic and nurturing."
She is remembered by colleagues as an incredible nurse who always had a smile or a laugh for a patient or a co-worker with high standards and was passionate about her work. She treated patients with dignity and was always willing to learn and change as new techniques were introduced. Irene was considered as a beautiful light who will be sadly missed.
Establishing the Irene McKinlay bursary is an everlasting tribute and legacy to the continuation of her compassion and caring spirit for the benefit of the community, according to her family, who are grateful for all the contributions to the bursary.
"We'll be selecting the first bursary recipient this coming fall," adds Dean Smith. "Second-year, full-time Camosun nursing students are eligible to apply for the funds. Applicants must have a satisfactory academic standing, a demonstrated financial need and a keen interest in pursuing a career in emergency nursing."
Camosun offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) partnership program with the University of Victoria. Students take their first 2.5 years of nursing education at Camosun College, before transferring to the University of Victoria's School of Nursing to complete the last 1.5 years of their BSN degree.
Donors interested in assisting Camosun's nursing students can contribute to the Irene McKinlay Memorial Bursary fund by going online: camosun.ca/foundation or by contacting: foundation@camosun.ca.
Applications for the bursary are open to second-year Camosun nursing students starting Sept. 8, 2020. Go to: camosun.ca/bursaries to find out more.
