Nov 3, 2016

VANCOUVER, BC – Langara School of Nursing instructor Pat Woods has been awarded the 2016 Award for Excellence in Nursing Education (Non-Tenured) from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). This is the third consecutive year a Langara instructor has received the award: Shannon Redmond was the 2015 recipient, and Jane Mighton was the 2014 recipient.

CASN is the national voice for nursing education, research, and scholarship and represents baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in Canada.

The objective of the Award for Excellence in Nursing Education (tenured and non-tenured) is to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments of individuals to the realization of the CASN’s mission of fostering the highest standards in professional nursing education and to promote and disseminate good practices in nursing education.

“For the School of Nursing, this award brings national recognition of our ongoing commitment to provide innovative excellence in nursing education. We have one of the most interesting and challenging jobs in the world, preparing the next generation of nurses to work within the complex health care environment,” said Woods. “I am very privileged to work with such a wonderfully dedicated team of nurse educators; we ‘focus on the learning’ but we don't forget to have fun doing so.”

Woods’ work for the past five years has been developing curriculum for, and initiating, the one-year Post-Degree Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Management (PDC NLM) and the two-year Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada (PDD NPC) programs. These programs for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) are competency-based and interdisciplinary, being taught by nursing, english and business faculty.

"Pat Woods has worked tirelessly in the School of Nursing to promote excellence in nursing education. Her vision inspired Langara membership in CASN which has developed some great leaders from our student body,” said Janine Lennox, Chair, School of Nursing. “Pat has contributed positively to the education of not only our Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, but she has been a national leader in promoting the integration of the internationally educated nurse as well. We are proud that Pat has been recognized by CASN with this award."

Pat’s leadership and her focus on providing international opportunities are just two of the many reasons CASN is recognizing another Langara School of Nursing educator.

"Pat’s commitment to mentoring her students and the nursing faculty is unsurpassed. She brings innovation to all aspects of program delivery whether its our BSN or our bridging program for internationally educated nurses (IENs),” said Marg Heldman, Dean, Faculty of Science. “Due to her efforts, our students have enjoyed international clinical placements, Langara has hosted professional development activities for our international partners, and our IENs are enjoying success writing the registration examination.”

The CASN awards reception is held on Monday, November 14 in Ottawa.

About Langara

Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as house of teachings, a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.

Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Communications and Marketing
Langara College
604.323.5702
mdawson@langara.bc.ca