Kip Bonnell

With the new year underway, a recent nursing awards ceremony highlighted excellence in education and research — and leadership shaping health-care across generations.

^{Krista Collett (left) and Camryn Collett (right) accept their awards at the December 11 ceremony.}

Held on December 11 in St. John's, the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador recognized excellence in nursing education, leadership, and research.

The event brought together nursing students, faculty members, and researchers from Memorial University’s Faculty of Nursing and its partner sites throughout the province.

Two journeys, one profession

“I still remember the day a nurse visited my high school... Confident and compassionate, sharing stories and the profound meaning she found in her work.” – Krista Collett 

Among the recipients were Krista and Camryn Collett — a mother and daughter honoured at different stages of nursing, with one journey inspiring the next.

A Faculty of Nursing faculty member and PhD student, Krista received both the ARNNL Education and Research Trust 25th Anniversary Scholarship and the ARNNL 50th Anniversary Scholarship.

Where it all began

Krista says her interest in nursing can be traced back to a single moment that stayed with her throughout her life.

“I still remember the day a nurse visited my high school to speak about her career,” she recalled. “She stood in front of our class, confident and compassionate, sharing stories of her experiences with patients and the profound meaning she found in her work.”

That early inspiration led to hospital volunteering and formal training at The Salvation Army Grace General Hospital School of Nursing in St. John’s. She later completed a post-RN program at Dalhousie University and earned a Master of Nursing at the University of Alberta.

“With each stage of education, my understanding of the nursing profession deepened, and so did my passion for teaching,” she said. “Educating future nurses became just as fulfilling as caring for patients.”

Extending the journey through scholarship

Krista’s academic path now continues through doctoral studies.

“Pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador is the natural continuation of this journey,” she explained.

“I want to contribute to the profession through research, leadership, and mentorship, just as others once did for me. Nursing has given me a meaningful life, and I’m committed to giving back to the profession that shaped me.”

Later in the awards ceremony, Krista looked on as her daughter Camryn was also recognized, a moment that aligned past and present through a shared profession and family.

“Now, watching my daughter follow in my footsteps as she begins her own nursing journey fills me with pride and a renewed sense of purpose,” she said. “Seeing her passion reminds me of why I started and of how far nursing can take someone who cares deeply. Her journey inspires me just as I was once inspired in that high school classroom.”

“My mom has been my greatest inspiration in choosing the nursing profession." – Camryn Collett 

Student leadership and community impact

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing student and president of the MUN Nursing Society, Camryn received the BScN Scholarship for the third-year cohort following a year of student leadership and community involvement.

Earlier this year, she helped organize the 27th Annual Nursing Charity Ball, which raised $11,700 in support of Iris Kirby House.

“As nurses, we have a duty to give back,” Camryn emphasized. “One thing that can go even further than any skill is the compassion you have.”

Being recognized alongside her mother at the ARNNL event “means more to me than I can put into words,” she shared. 

“My mom has been my greatest inspiration in choosing the nursing profession. Watching her dedication to teaching, compassion for others, and commitment to health-care has shaped who I am and who I hope to become as a Registered Nurse.”

Excellence across education and research

The ceremony also highlighted further research excellence. Dr. Chantille Isler, Dr. Daisy Baldwin, and their research team received a 2025 CRNNL Nursing Research Award, while Dr. Jennifer Dorman was honoured for a separate research project examining Medical Assistance in Dying in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Together, the recipients reflected the scope of Memorial University’s nursing programs – from undergraduate students to experienced researchers – delivered through the Faculty of Nursing in St. John’s, in partnership with the Centre for Nursing Studies, the Western Regional School of Nursing in Corner Brook, and Memorial’s satellite sites in Grand Falls–Windsor, Gander, and Happy Valley–Goose Bay.

_{From left, Megan Hudson, president of the NL Registered Nurses’ Education & Research Trust Board of Directors, with Dr. Daisy Baldwin and Dr. Chantille Isler.}

Further research excellence

The Faculty of Nursing also congratulates Dr. Chantille Isler, Dr. Daisy Baldwin, and their research team, recipients of a 2025 CRNNL Nursing Research Award, as well as Dr. Jennifer Dorman, who received a separate research award for a project exploring Medical Assistance in Dying in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year’s recipients highlight the strength and reach of Memorial University’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, delivered through the Faculty of Nursing at the St. John’s campus, in partnership with the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS) in St. John’s, the Western Regional School of Nursing (WRSON) in Corner Brook, and Memorial’s satellite sites in Grand Falls–Windsor, Gander, and Happy Valley–Goose Bay.

Full list of 2025–26 recipients

The complete list of scholarship, bursary, and research award recipients from the 2025–26 funding competition is now available through the NL Registered Nurses’ Education & Research Trust. Learn more and view the full list. 

Find your future in Nursing

Applications for Memorial University’s Master of Science in Nursing programs are open and due January 15.

Fall 2026 applications for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Collaborative program are open until January 20.