UNB Alumni
Telling our #ProudlyUNB stories

The many ways this nurse practitioner is saving lives in small-town New Brunswick and around the world

UNB Alumni

Posted: January 22, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Nursing , Inspiring Stories



When Kelly Dunfield (MN'03, C-NP'03) graduated from UNB’s inaugural class of the nurse practitioner program in 2003, she was thrilled to be back into clinical practice once again.After years of nursing and health care experience in occupational health, surgery and emergency nursing in Saint John and her hometown of Sussex, she had moved into emergency room management and quality risk management. But when the new nurse practitioner program was announced at UNB, she jumped at the chance...

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UNB Alumni Holiday Gift Guide 2023

UNB Alumni

Posted: November 24, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Insights , Law , UNB Saint John , Kinesiology , Computer Science , Inspiring Stories , Science , Education , Management , UNB Fredericton , FOREM , Engineering , Renaissance College , Arts , Nursing , Young Alumni



Share your UNB pride this holiday season! 'Tis the season for supporting ‘local.’ The 2023 Alumni Holiday Gift Guide highlights products and businesses by our very own #ProudlyUNB alumni around the world. UNB alumni are creating and contributing exciting things to their communities and beyond. Get your seasonal shopping done from the comfort of your home, while discovering the unique items created, written, owned or run by talented UNB graduates, like you. Scotiabank Giller...

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Debbi Amirault has made a big impact in nursing in New Brunswick by bringing clinical experience to the classroom

UNB Alumni

Posted: May 8, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: UNB Fredericton , Nursing , Inspiring Stories



Debbi Amirault (BN’78, MN’01) was one of those people who knew from a young age what she was meant to do. Her sister Shannon experienced complex medical challenges from birth and the family spent a large chunk of time at Montreal Children’s Hospital, where Shannon endured over 30 surgeries. The experience for Debbi was eye-opening. “Nursing fascinated me. There was this whole community of healthcare professionals right there at the hospital. I liked hanging out there....

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Shelley Francis challenges us to understand the historical context of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Shelley Francis

Posted: June 15, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Inspiring Stories , UNB Saint John , Nursing , UNB Fredericton



This story is part of the Voices of UNB Alumni series and is written by Shelley Francis (BN'91), UNB alumna and current master of nursing student.It is critical for all Canadians to understand the historical context of Indigenous People for there to be true reconciliation, peace, and friendship between Nations.  I have spent my entire nursing career lifting the voices of Indigenous Peoples, providing non-judgmental, culturally safe, and compassionate care to all citizens.  I have...

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Jennifer Splane (BSc'11, BN'15) creates her path as a nurse practitioner and healthcare researcher

UNB Alumni

Posted: May 17, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: UNB Fredericton , Nursing , UNB Saint John , Young Alumni , Inspiring Stories



Jennifer Splane (BSc'11, BN'15) is a current MN.ANP candidate and soon-to-be three time UNB alumna. She recently defended her thesis "Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare: Exploring the Practices and Needs of Care Providers" and takes a moment to share why she is passionate about healthcare. Did you always know you wanted to study nursing? I actually did not know that I would end up in this field. I was always interested in science, in particular the human sciences. It...

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Nicki MacPherson (BN’14, BScKin'14) chooses to use her skills to provide care and education for students at UNB

UNB Alumni

Posted: May 12, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Nursing , Inspiring Stories , UNB Fredericton



Nicki MacPherson (BN’14, BScKin'14) is a registered nurse who currently works at the UNB Student Health Centre on the Fredericton campus and has been instrumental in the COVID-19 student-isolation project since the pandemic began. She took a beat to talk to us about her journey to get here and what it means to her to support students. Did you always know you wanted to be a nurse? I knew I wanted to be a helper of some kind and thought it would be between teaching or nursing. My mom was...

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A non-traditional path for Joan Kingston (BN’78) where nothing is unattainable

Dr. Lorna Butler

Posted: May 7, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Inspiring Stories , Nursing , UNB Fredericton



Written and submitted by Dr. Lorna Butler, Dean of UNB's Faculty of Nursing. Joan Kingston's (BN’78) career pathway as a Registered Nurse is neither linear nor traditional. Rather it reflects her character and the results of numerous initiatives that not only changed peoples’ lives but altered the landscape of their communities so others could thrive. Her career accentuates the power of what being a Registered Nurse means. Ms. Kingston began as a staff nurse and continued to...

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