KINGSTON, ON – Caring for patients is a “privilege, often humbling and extremely fulfilling work,” says Kingston nurse Susan Cooper, the 2018 winner of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) registered practical nurse (RPN) of the year award.
A presentation and luncheon honouring Cooper, a nurse at KGH for the nearly ten years, will be held Tuesday, May 8 (2018) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Etherington Hall Auditorium (Queen’s University) 94 Stuart Street The annual RPN of the year award is presented each year during nursing week, which this year is being celebrated between May 7 and May 13.
A personal support worker (PSW) for ten years, Cooper went back to school more than a decade ago to upgrade her education and earn a nursing diploma from St. Lawrence College. Continuous learning is key to the expanding role of RPNs in hospitals, says Cooper who also heads the CUPE 1974 nursing committee at KGH. She also credits her time working as a PSW for providing insights into patient care that are “useful and constructive” and that she applies today as a float nurse on multi-disciplinary direct care teams.
Nursing practice and skills education have changed dramatically over the years. Registered practical nurses are regulated and licensed by the Ontario College of Nurses. Registered practical nursing is a two-year nursing program at community college.
“Susan Cooper is an outstanding nurse recognized by her peers for her excellence and dedication to patient care. In recognizing her, we also acknowledge the thousands of nurses and other direct care staff who excel each day to provide patients with exceptional care. They are doing this under challenging conditions in hospitals that are understaffed and not funded adequately,” says Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE).
Fellow nurse Angela Hodgson who nominated Cooper for the province-wide award praises Cooper for her “great knowledge base,” willingness to be a preceptor for many nursing students and showing immense compassion for patients and listening to them and their family members. “Susan,” says Hodgson, “makes patients’ time in hospital less stressful” and makes them feel like they truly matter.
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Stella Yeadon CUPE Communications 416-559-9300 [email protected]
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