Canada Nursing Research Program

“Nursing research seeks to improve the lives of the children we treat by helping them to build better coping mechanisms, by preparing them for adult care and by striving to find new and better ways to manage pain.  Since its inception, the Nursing Research Program has worked diligently to expand their research networks and research program. There has been a specific focus on supporting one of our largest patient populations, children living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), with the goal of adapting what we develop for all of our patients with special health care needs.  Tunis Shriners have believed in the power and impact of nursing research since day one in 2013 and have continued to provide much needed ongoing support for nursing research development over the years.”

“The focus of nursing research has been to build our patient’s capacity to cope and to ensure success navigating the adult health care system as they graduate from pediatric care. Building capacity has expanded to include all areas that may affect a patient’s life:  self-management, transition, pain management, symptom expression and management, the costs of living with a chronic illness, the psychosocial aspects of living with a chronic illness, and ethical concerns.  The ultimate goal of this research is to empower patients to live life fully. Beyond that, the hope is that the tools and resources being developed through our nursing research program may be adapted and used for all complex care diagnoses across the Shriners Hospitals for Children patient populations.  As a key partner, Tunis Shriners helps to ensure that this becomes a reality!”

Kelly Thorstad, MSc(A)N, PHCNP

Directrice des soins infirmiers et des services aux patients

Director of Patient Care Services / Nurse Executive

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