Centennial nursing display launches Alberta tour
EDMONTON, May 9, 2016 /CNW/ - A lot has changed since the Misericordia Hospital described the duties of a nurse as: "A Nurse's greatest charm is cleanliness of person and dress. Keep the teeth clean… Wear rubber heels in order to move about with as little noise as possible. The dress should also be noiseless. It is better to be neat than picturesque." (Highs and Lows: Student Nurses Living in Residence at Schools of Nursing in Alberta, Alice Thomas MacKinnon, 2000).
To celebrate 100 years of nursing in Alberta, the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) is looking back at the past century of the profession with a travelling historical display that visited Edmonton City Hall on May 9, 2016. The visit also kicked off Nursing Week which is May 9 to 15, 2016.
"This is a story of 100 years of dedication, innovation, and leadership by the province's registered nurses," says CARNA President Dr. Shannon Spenceley. "Registered nurses have always played an important role in the lives of Albertans. The history of the nursing profession and the growth of this province are closely linked as nurses and nursing practices have adapted to meet the needs of Albertans."
The display includes nursing artifacts, photos, and an interactive digital media centre that takes you from the era of district nursing to nursing today. The launch event welcomed Edmonton registered nurses who received Centennial Awards for their exceptional contributions to the profession and City of Edmonton Ward 7 Councillor Tony Caterina and Alberta Health Services Interim CEO and President Verna Yiu brought greetings.
"Today's registered nurses are expert care-givers who use resources in flexible and innovative ways to meet specific needs," says CARNA CEO Mary-Anne Robinson. "We are leaders in clinical care, research, education, policy development and administration."
FYI: The 2016 CARNA Lifetime Achievement Award of Nursing Excellence recipient is from Edmonton: former registered nurse Heather Montgomerie.
Twitter: @AlbertaRNs | Hashtag: #CARNA100 | Web: carna100.ca
About CARNA
CARNA is the regulatory college and professional association for Alberta's more than 37,000 registered nurses including: nurses in direct care, education, research and administration as well as nurse practitioners.
SOURCE College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta

For media inquiries: Crystal Komanchuk | 780.292.2204 | [email protected]
Share this article