Registered Psychiatric Nurses Foundation Inc.

06/05/2026

Kirston Blom of Regina, Saskatchewan is recipient of the RPNF Marlene Fitzsimmons Grant for presenting at the Custody and Caring Conference 2025 in Saskatoon. Drawing on her ongoing research, her presentation examined how systemic inequities, intergenerational trauma, and determinants of health—such as poverty, housing insecurity, mistrust within the healthcare system, limited transitional community support post-release, and lack of culturally safe care—contribute to the overrepresentation of Indigenous women in the justice system and to persistent health disparities following incarceration. Her work encourages psychiatric nurses to recognize and address the colonial foundations that continue to shape health inequities, supporting evidence-informed, compassionate, and equitable care within forensic contexts. Through this lens, psychiatric nursing becomes not only a clinical profession, but also an ally for reconciliation, an advocate for cultural revitalization, and a driver of systemic change. Kirstin notes that this work is deeply personal as an Indigenous nurse with First Nations and Métis roots who has witnessed significant gaps in mental health and addictions services. By framing care within an Indigenous wellness paradigm that values balance, her work calls for a shift from punitive to healing-centred approaches and invites psychiatric nursing to stand in solidarity with Indigenous women, uphold culturally safe practice, and bridge clinical care with traditional knowledge.

Congratulations Kirston, your research is not only outstanding, but also crucial!🥳🎉

06/04/2026

Jennifer Adair of Winnipeg, Manitoba is recipient of the RPNF Marlene Fitzsimmons Grant for her January, 2026 presentation at the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Conference in Saskatoon, SK, titled “Building Bridges in the City of Bridges”. The session, “From Harm to Healing: Addressing Microaggressions and Restoring Relationships,” equipped students with practical strategies to navigate microaggressions in professional settings and repair relationships in support of safe, competent care. Guided by the Microaggressions Triangle Model, participants learned how to recognize microaggressions; respond when they are the target; intervene as bystanders; and reflect on their own role when they are the source. The workshop also explored the consequences of avoiding conflict and supported students in building confidence to manage these junctures in ways that align with personal values and the ethical standards of the nursing profession - reducing stress and burnout and potentially decreasing early attrition from the profession.

Congratulations Jen! Your commitment to addressing microaggressions and restoring relationships is admirable✨ well deserved 🎊

05/26/2026

Randi Ziorio Dunlop, recipient of the RPNF Graduate Scholarship, is a doctoral student at the University of Alberta. Her research seeks to generate knowledge about the assumptions and practices enacted through trauma- and violence-informed approaches (TVIA) in nursing education, as well as their effects. This work will support deeper understanding of organizational policy in nursing education and identify key considerations for the safe implementation of TVIA. Drawing on the philosophical work of the late French philosopher Michel Foucault, Randi examines TVIA to assess whether it is achieving its intended purpose and to explore the power relations it may perpetuate. Randi notes that the use of critical methods as a psychiatric nurse is important, advancing the capacity for RPNs to challenge assumptions we may take for granted about ourselves and the people we serve. She also hopes that her completion of this research encourages fellow RPNs to pursue advanced psychiatric nursing research at a doctoral level.

Congratulations Randi on all of your achievements 🎊💖

05/23/2026

Rhianna Nelson, recipient of the RPNF 4th Year Undergraduate Scholarship, is graduating from the BScPN Program at Brandon University, MB. Her academic and clinical learning has been enriched through diverse employment and volunteer experiences, including work as a Mental Health Proctor; with the Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team; as an Undergraduate Nurse Employee at Tri Lake Health Centre in Killarney, MB; as a Research Assistant II with Brandon University’s Faculty of Health Studies; and as a Summer Student Integration Facilitator at COR Enterprises Inc. in Brandon, MB. Rhianna has also volunteered in the Peer Mentorship Program (supporting first- and second-year psychiatric nursing students), contributed to Pre-Psychiatric Nursing Information Sessions, and currently serves on this year’s graduation committee. She completed her senior practicum with Westman Crisis Services and hopes to continue building experience in crisis intervention and potentially, in-patient practice. Long term plans include pursuing a master’s degree after gaining additional clinical experience.

Congratulations Rhianna, your dedication is admirable and we are so proud of you! Happy early graduation!🎓

05/17/2026

Sophia (Yejin) Cho, recipient of the RPNF 4th Year Undergraduate Scholarship, is graduating from the BScPN Program at Douglas College, BC. Over the past five years, her academic, professional, and community experiences have focused on mental health care, advocacy, and equity. She has worked as a Community Mental Health Worker with Coastal Mental Health and as a Health Unit Worker with Vancouver Coastal Health. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, she received the Science Undergraduate Research Experience Award and was second author on a peer-reviewed publication. Yejin has also volunteered with the Crisis Centre of BC, Canadian Blood Services, and the Residences for Independent Living Society, and spearheaded a fundraiser supporting Black and Indigenous lives. Her goal is to work in psychiatric in-patient settings and build clinical skills in crisis stabilization, medication support, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented practice. In the long term, she hopes to grow into leadership roles within in-patient care.

Congratulations Yejin, well deserved! We wish you all the best in your career 🎊

05/14/2026

Valerie Kalmykov, recipient of the RPNF 3rd Year Undergraduate Scholarship, is a third-year student in the BScPN Program at Douglas College, BC. She has made it a priority to educate others about psychiatric nursing and its contributions to population wellbeing. Valerie values volunteering with the Community Outreach Project at Douglas College, which provides opportunities to support individuals experiencing interpersonal stressors, homelessness, and mental health and addictions challenges. Her volunteer experience in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside further strengthened her interest in understanding the lived experiences of people who are unhoused and navigating substance use. Valerie’s goals include deepening her learning about Indigenous peoples’ experiences and the impacts of the mental health system across individual and intergenerational contexts. She is also committed to acknowledging and addressing stigma related to substance use disorders and brings forward a guiding belief that small acts of care can have meaningful impact.

Congratulations on your achievements Valerie, we are so proud of you🥳

05/14/2026

Gina Zentner, recipient of the RPNF 3rd Year Undergraduate Scholarship, is a third-year student in the BScPN Program at Brandon University, MB. While engaged in her studies, she has worked as a pharmaceutical assistant, developing practical knowledge of medication therapies and deepening her understanding of medical, mental health, and addictions-related conditions. These experiences have also strengthened her awareness of the barriers and complexities faced by the individuals she serves. Gina values strong communication and compassionate, person-centred care—key competencies in psychiatric nursing—and has worked to integrate these skills across both academic and community settings. Her future plans include advancing trauma- and violence-informed care and promoting safety, dignity, autonomy, and independence in her practice.

Congratulations Gina on all of your achievements, we wish you all the best on your journey!

05/14/2026

HAPPY NURSES WEEK♥️

It's Nurses Week! The BU Faculty of Health Studies has been showing gratitude with cupcakes and coffee. Here's a photo from yesterday at the BRHC with both Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing departments, and you'll see us with sweet treats and a caffeine boost in more facilities tomorrow.

05/11/2026

Here are some more great thoughts from Sean to help us wrap up the week.

“I feel most connected when I can bond with someone over a shared interest, a book, tv show, or video game. Having that shared interest makes starting and maintaining a connection feel easier. Having them ask why I enjoy something makes me feel like they want to understand me better.”

Thank you for joining us as we've explored the theme of Mental Health Week! Let's keep the conversation going all year long! 😍

05/11/2026

There is still time to register for the RPNF's 2026 Virtual Scholarships, Grants and Awards Reception taking place this Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 7 PM CDT! Everyone is welcome! Join us in celebrating some of psychiatric nursing's best in Education, Practice, Leadership and Research! Email us at [email protected] to register!