From one classroom in 1966 to nursing education throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

In 1966, Memorial University opened its School of Nursing to 38 students and three faculty members. Sixty years later, more than 7,000 nurses have graduated from Memorial, with students, educators, researchers, alumni and partners contributing to health and care throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.

Learning where people live

Today, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Collaborative program is delivered at six locations: the Faculty of Nursing and Centre for Nursing Studies in St. John’s; Western Regional School of Nursing in Corner Brook; and Faculty satellite sites in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor and Happy Valley–Goose Bay. Students share a common curriculum while learning in communities and health-care settings throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

In 2026, more than 90 per cent of the first satellite-site graduates accepted positions in the regions where they studied.

Indigenous health, leadership and relationship

While Memorial’s university nursing story is 60 years old, the history of care in our 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 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 Wellness And Transformative Engagement in Research Relationships (WATERR) Lab at Grenfell Campus to support community-led, ethical and culturally grounded Indigenous health research.

Her work with Hilary Fry — an Inuk nurse from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Memorial Nursing alumna and Director, Reconciliation and Equitable Health Systems at the Canadian Nurses Association — highlights intergenerational mentorship and Indigenous leadership in nursing. Ms. Fry completed both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing degrees at Memorial.

The Faculty’s Leading Excellence 2024–2029 strategy embeds equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and Indigenization across education, research, service and belonging.

Research with a reason

Since 2019, research funding at Memorial’s Faculty of Nursing has grown from just over $150,000 to more than $1.3 million by 2025 — more than an eightfold increase.

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, primarily online seminars on 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 alumni, students, faculty, staff, preceptors, partners and friends of Memorial Nursing.

Update your alumni information, explore Faculty alumni and giving, or give to Memorial and support nursing students and the area you choose.

Have a Nursing at Memorial photo, memory or anniversary story? Share it with us at nursing60@mun.ca.

Explore more ways to stay connected through Memorial alumni, including the 2026 Alumni Tribute Award honourees, Alumni Tribute Awards, MUNalum Days and opportunities to connect with other alumni.