York-UHN Nursing Academy

York-UHN Nursing Academy The demand for highly educated nursing professionals with advanced knowledge and practice skills is growing as health care technology accelerates and the complexity of patient and family needs increase. The intensity of workplace environments and the predicted decline in the availability of nurses are generating calls for innovation in education and closer networks of educators, researchers, and practitioners.

York University and UHN, initiated the York-UHN Nursing Academy on-site at Toronto General Hospital in May 2009. The Academy represents a convergence of research, education, and practice that contributes opportunities for nurses to meet the challenges of providing high-quality, compassionate, patient-centred care in today's complex health care environment. The York-UHN Nursing Academy aligns with the mission of the School of Nursing at York University and the nursing community at UHN. Both are committed to creating a culture of caring that fosters learning and the development of human science-based nursing knowledge, research, and practice.

The Academy is a virtual and physical centre linking UHN and York University and provides a gateway to new research and educational opportunities for nurses and other health professionals affiliated with both organizations.

Priority Projects

Diploma RN to MScN Web Delivery Option
The need for new technology to enact pedagogy led to development of a transdisciplinary team of experts and submission of a proposal to the Academic Innovation Fund at York University. The team was awarded funding and has established a steering and research/technical team to complete the work towards the web delivery option of the RN to MScN program.

Academy Link with the CICC, the Patient Empowerment Program
We continue to work with actor Rob Hawke to advance his performance of Norm Versus Cancer and how his play is advancing Patient Centred Care and issues of patient safety.

RN Health Coach
In collaboration with Nurse leaders at UHN and Southlake Regional Health Centre, a proposal was submitted to Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to fund four RN roles as Coaching Partners for Persons with Diabetes. Funding was granted and four RNs were hired in June 2011.

Professor Gail Mitchell, the Academy's inaugural Director and Chair.

For information, contact:
Nadine Cross, Research Associate, at 416-340-4800 ext.8893 or by email: nadine.cross@uhn.on.ca