There’s a saying in nursing Once a nurse, ALWAYS a nurse.
It’s not just a profession, it’s a community.
After retirement, it’s not surprising that many RNs choose to continue to contribute to their community through volunteering or advocating in support of others.
Janice Varzari, retired from nursing in 2010 but remains heavily involved with her alma mater- the University of Lethbridge and the registered nurses of the future
“I am an ambassador, supporter and enthusiastic advocate for the University of Lethbridge and our students,” said Varzari, Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge.
A lifelong learner, this Galt School of Nursing graduate has worked in virtually every area of nursing practice. After earning her Bachelor of Nursing with Great Distinction at the University of Lethbridge, Varzari was a community care coordinator and a member of the palliative care community team before returning to the U of L to obtain a Masters in Education with specialization in counselling psychology.
She worked as an RN engaged in mental health nursing at Lethbridge Family Services working with individuals, families and groups around issues of trauma until her retirement.
Varzari was inducted into the University of Lethbridge Alumni Honour Society in 2008 and was named University Chancellor in 2015, the first U of L graduate to be given this prestigious honour.
“We have brilliant academic minds in the Faculty of Health Science at the University of Lethbridge, who in many cases are working collaboratively with researchers across disciplines and across the globe. Their research is advancing nursing knowledge and is having an impact at home and internationally. Nursing research is important now in order to expand the current level of knowledge, look into the future and enable nursing practice and health education to be innovative and to provide solutions to problems in our evolving world.”
“Nursing research within our community, provincially, nationally and internationally is vitally important. In this way we reap the benefits of the brightest and the best minds.” “I am proud of the long history that nurses have had in our community. I am proud of the collective and individual contributions made to improve health related behaviors and improve quality of health care. I am proud of the leaders who moved nurses’ “training” to nursing education at the post secondary level. I am proud of the nurses who have gone on to graduate education and are educators and researchers. I am proud of the nurses who have taken their professional practice into many different settings. I am proud of the nurses who volunteer and who are caregivers in our community. I feel honored to identify myself as one of such a forward looking, responsive and productive group.”
“A wonderful and fun way for community members to show their thanks to nurses is to attend the Lethbridge Nursing Gala on Friday May 11th ”Tickets are available on www.arnet.ca