News Archives: Teresa Evans: Foundational Opportunities
Wednesday, April 5th, 2023
NWP Instructor Teresa Evans with students
If there's two things Teresa Evans has learned in her 24 years as a Nursing Instructor at Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP), it's that you don't have to be perfect to achieve success and that nurses need to be creative in their approach to improving healthcare for others.
Hailing from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Evans wasn't too sure what she wanted to do with her life when she was in high school. She admitted she wasn't the most academically inclined student, either. After some consideration and encouragement from her parents, she decided to take the plunge and study nursing. Quickly into her studies, Evans realized that nursing was her fit, and being a nurse would be a rewarding and challenging career.
After graduating from the University of Alberta Post-Registered Nursing program, Evans took a chance and accepted an 8-month contract position at NWP despite not having a lot of teaching experience. That risk paid off, and 24 years later, Evans is still teaching in the nursing program.
“I grew up at [GPRC] because I came here when I was 24. I didn't know anything about anything,” laughs Evans. “I am thankful to have had incredible mentors that taught me about life and helped teach me about teaching. Having great people and guidance at NWP was a gift for me.”
Evans is currently working on her Ph.D. at the University of Alberta where she is studying how to improve pain management education for nursing students. “My hope is that nursing students will graduate having the necessary knowledge and skills to manage pain in a holistic way.” Evans believes that healthcare workers need to be innovative entrepreneurs to improve healthcare for future generations. Healthcare is constantly changing, Evans explained, and nurses need to be innovative and creative thinkers.
“Nursing, healthcare, and science professions are always going to be changing. Everything is constantly in motion,” Evans said. “By the end of our program, students learn how to think critically, how to ask questions, and communicate effectively in a team environment.” These skills will equip students to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape.
Evans believes the nursing education students receive at NWP is a foundation that creates opportunities for students in various ways.
"We've had students work in a variety of roles including management, education, research and practice. They're all over the place and I love seeing the faces of nurses I have taught over the years," Evans said. "It’s so rewarding to watch them go out there and show the world what they're able to do and go into these amazing lifechanging positions."
“Being a nurse is hard work and greatly admire what our nursing graduates go on to achieve.”, It’s a privilege learning with our students here at NWP and I am thankful for the experience.
Interested in exploring the pathways that a career in nursing will take you? Visit NWP.me/Nursing to learn more.
