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| Above: Participants in the first annual School of Nursing Research Day |
The School of Nursing in York’s Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies held its first annual School of Nursing Research Day on Friday, June 3. The event attracted nursing faculty and students from York University, Georgian College and Seneca College, and included presentations and workshops led by over 20 researchers.
In her welcoming remarks, Rhonda Lenton, dean of the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies, spoke about the tremendous increase in research activity led by the School of Nursing and how the first annual School of Nursing Research Day was a reflection of that increased activity. She also noted to participants the “impressive turnout of those who want to share their research findings.”
Diane Duff, conference co-Chair and Chair of the School of Nursing Committee on Research, discussed the objectives of the event in her opening remarks. By providing “a forum for individuals from our community who are engaged in scholarly research activities to disseminate their work to students, college and university faculty members and clinical partners, [the research day] facilitates networking and stimulates possibilities 
for intra- and inter-organizational research collaboration,” said Duff. The event is important, she explained, because it “supports knowledge or evidence-based practice and creates a forum for directed discussions concerning practice, theory, health-care systems, education, research methods, and research funding.”
Right: From left, conference co-chairs Lillie Lum and Dianne Duff
The presentations and workshops held throughout the day highlighted the broad range of research being conducted in the School of Nursing. Researchers presented on the role of handheld technology in advancing evidence-based practice, TeleHomecare, patient safety, artistic translation of research findings, the lived experiences of nurses and patients, care for marginalized populations and many aspects of nursing education and student experience.
In her closing comments, conference co-chair Lillie Lum, faculty member in the School of Nursing, reflected on what was learned and what lay ahead. “The day was a testament to the caring that nursing researchers put into their practice, teaching and research,” said Lum.
This article was submitted to YFile by Steven Hermans, research officer, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies.