The Conestoga community mourns the loss of long-time instructor Donna Squire. To honour her drive, determination and exceptional qualities as an educator, a student bursary will now provide annual support to students in Conestoga’s Enhanced Practice for Internationally Educated Nursing program.
Conestoga clinical instructor Donna Squire passed away on June 23. Establishing a bursary to support international nursing students was one of her last wishes.
Donna taught until the end of May this year when she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. The establishment of the bursary was one of her last wishes before she passed away on June 23.
“Donna has been instrumental in the success of our international nursing programs as a clinical instructor at Cambridge Memorial Hospital for many years,” said Dr. Veronique Boscart, executive dean, School of Health & Life Sciences. “Donna was a phenomenal mentor and cared very deeply for her nursing students and strongly believed in the future success of each and every student.”
Donna worked at the college between 1994 and 1999, and returned in 2011 as a part-time instructor with the Practical Nursing program before moving into her clinical role with the international nursing students.
Colleagues describe her passion for teaching international students as infectious. Although she was a firm instructor who refused to compromise best practice and patient safety, she is known to have had a special energy and spirit when it came to working with her students.
The Donna Squire International Nursing Student bursary will be disbursed annually to a full-time student in the Enhanced Practice for Internationally Educated Nursing program. Through the program, experienced internationally educated nurses acquire the essential knowledge and skills needed to practice within the Canadian healthcare system.
Recipients of the bursary will demonstrate a positive attitude with a commitment and focus on the values of nursing, and will possess exceptional critical thinking and self-direction skills, professionalism and quality of care for patients during clinical placement.
Memorial donations to the Donna Squire International Nursing Student Bursary may be made at: https://www.conestogacommunity.ca/donna-squire.
Through the support of donors, Conestoga’s Student Financial Services administers over 400 awards, bursaries and scholarships worth more than $3.8 million each year. Contact Donor Relations for more information.