Nice to meet you! My name is Stephanie, and I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Nursing Students of Ontario (NSO) Interest Group for the 2024-2025 term. I am currently a fourth-year Nursing student (BScN candidate) at Toronto Metropolitan University and work as a Clinical Extern. My primary interests and passions lie in neonatology and ensuring safe patient outcomes.
Throughout my undergraduate studies, I have actively contributed to the NSO as a Committee Coordinator and President (2023-2024). Additionally, I have served as a Student Ambassador for the RNAO and as a Student Representative on the RNAO Board of Directors.
As the Chair of the NSO, my mission is to empower nursing students across Ontario to realize their full potential both as students and future professionals. I aim to celebrate the accomplishments of nursing students, highlighting both academic and non-academic achievements. Additionally, I hope to introduce Ontario nursing students to the incredible resources and opportunities offered by the RNAO, fostering a strong nursing community throughout the province. Together, we can achieve more.
If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns related to nursing, health, or healthcare, please feel free to contact me at nso.rnao@gmail.com. I am committed to advocating for your needs and supporting you throughout your journey as a nursing student.
My name is Leonard Leguijt and I attend Humber College and I am entering 4th year. I am a board member of my local nursing society at my school, the Humber Nursing Society, and I served on the NSO last year as a committee coordinator. I look forward to being the Vice Chair of the NSO.
Last year, I was able to attend the CNSA conference on behalf of my school and was involved with leading the Peer Navigator program on campus. I spoke at the 2023 and 2024 RNAO AGM about bullying and its effects on nursing students and participated in preparing and presenting the NSO's resolution about bullying at the 2024 RNAO AGM. In addition to helping plan and run many NSO events, I played an instrumental role at the HRH NSO Model WHO Conference, helping to facilitate it and lead discussions.
This coming year at the NSO, I hope to push for continued discussions about bullying and nursing students, work on events that will help keep students informed, and to support the Chair wherever needed. I also hope to help foster a stronger relationship between the NSO and CNSA.
Trent University-Accelerating, 2nd year
Trent Fleming Nursing Student Association Representative, Curriculum/Policy Committee Student Representative.
Goals include further implementing TRC Calls To Action and promoting Indigenous Health Education and Advocacy
Hello everyone, my name is Danial Abidi, and I am one of the membership officers on the current NSO executive. I am a fourth-year student at Humber College in the BScN program. As a Dean’s List student, President of the Humber Nursing Society, and RNAO ambassador, I am deeply committed to the field of nursing. I have been honored with several scholarships, including the Nursing Faculty Award, the Elaine Lo Nursing Scholarship, and a Canadian Nurses Foundation Scholarship. This year, I aim to leverage my leadership experience to contribute effectively to the NSO executive. I am eager to engage with fellow nursing students across Ontario, support their academic and professional journeys, and help amplify their voices within the nursing community. Together, we can achieve great things for nursing students in Ontario.
I am in my fourth year currently enrolled at McMaster university completing my Diploma RPN to BScN bridging program. As a member of NSO, I am committed to advocating for policies that address the unique challenges nursing students face across Ontario, such as access to resources, mental health support, and equitable opportunities. My goal is to actively collaborate with policymakers, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations to create an empowering environment that enables nursing students to excel both academically and personally. With a deep passion for policy advocacy, I aim to contribute to the advancement of nursing education and ultimately improve patient care through informed and progressive policies. It is an absolute honor to serve as an NSO executive, and I look forward to connecting with all of you.
I am a 3rd year BScN student at Ontario Tech University and am also the Co-President of the Nursing Student Community, the nursing student club on campus. By joining the NSO, I hope to learn more about nursing beyond the theoretical and practical aspects. As the Policy & Political Action Officer, I hope to learn the process of policy making to bring forth positive change in all facets of nursing especially for nursing students. My goal is to improve nursing student retention within the province to address the nursing shortage we face.
Hello Everyone! My name is Somalpreet and I am a 4th year nursing student at York University. I will be join this year's NSO team as a Social Media Officer.
Being a part of the NSO is a true privilege, as it allows me to connect with fellow nursing students and advocate for their concerns across Ontario. Additionally, I can utilize my social media skills to promote fantastic events, giving nursing students a chance to take a break from their studies and develop essential soft skills. In the upcoming months, I aim to organize more enriching networking events, linking nursing students with experienced nurses across Ontario to foster meaningful connections. I look forward to creating a supportive and enjoyable nursing journey for all nursing students in Ontario. I am dedicated to enhancing our community through these efforts, ensuring every student feels valued and empowered to succeed in their nursing careers.
3rd year nursing student at York University
Involvements: Vice president of NSAY (Nursing student association at York), Vice president of NSTAMP (Nursing student tutoring, ambassadorship, and mentorship program), Student Health Ambassador at York, and Health and Wellness Ambassador.
Achievements: CCSC leadership certificates, Dean's honour roll
Goal: To foster the importance of collaboration, team work and effort as student nurse leaders and as future health care professionals.
Vision: To embrace and promote inclusive and diverse representation of nursing students in Ontario. To advocate, raise awareness, and share resources to nursing students on how we can improve our values, skills, and practice within the profession.
Andrew is in his 3rd year of Nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University, and in his 3rd year of being a parent. He was the year 1 and year 2 student representative for Centennial College on the Dorothy Cockwell School of Nursing School Council, and a committee coordinator on the NSO for the 2023-2024 term. Previously a community organizer at a non profit organization focused on social and economic justice for low and moderate income people, he is deeply committed to an NSO that advocates for and empowers others on issues that matter.
Hello, I'm Arpita Roy, your new Communication and Public Relations Officer at the Nursing Students of Ontario (NSO)!
A bit about me: I'm currently in my third year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Georgian College, where I’m actively serving as a peer mentor, and working as the president of our Nursing Students’ Association. My journey so far has been a whirlwind of learning, leading, and loving everything about nursing! From advocating for nursing students as the previous Policy and Political Action Officer of NSO to now navigating the exciting world of Communication and Public Relation Officer, I’ve cherished every moment of my journey.
This year, I was honored to receive the RNAO Student of Distinction Award, which was a huge milestone for me. It’s been a rewarding experience to be recognized for my contributions to nursing advocacy and leadership. My passion for policy and advocacy took me all the way to Queen’s Park, where I participated in RNAO’s student placement program—an experience that deepened my commitment to making a real impact in our profession.
As I step into this new role with the NSO, my vision is to amplify your voices, and showcase the amazing work we do as future nurses. I’m all about creating vibrant connections and ensuring that our collective efforts make a real impact. My goal is to keep you informed, engaged, and inspired throughout our term together.
Feel free to reach out, connect with me, and let’s get the conversation going. Together, we can achieve great things!
Hi everyone! My name is Steve and I am a 3rd year student at Western University. I've been involved with my school's nursing council WFNSA and the RNAO since first year. Currently, I serve as the President of WFNSA and Committee Coordinator on the NSO. Some of my favourite experiences with the RNAO is helping to run the annual Western Avenues of Nursing Event in collab with Middlesex Chapter, attending the 2024 AGM, speaking at a Fall Tour event with RNAO CEO Dr. Grinspun and Chapter President Janet Hunt, and meeting the awesome students behind the show.
My goal for this year is to have more connection between university nursing councils/organization. We are all united in commonality, and can support each other throughout our tough undergrad with various resources from the RNAO!
Always happy to connect with new people! Feel free to email me @yxia342@uwo.ca
Hello my name is Paige Evans, I am a 2nd year nursing student at Trent University. I graduated my Certificate of Pre-Health Sciences with honours from Georgian College in June 2023 before attending Trent the following fall. My goal here is to work with the NSO team to advocate for and represent Nursing students across Ontario as well as host career and education building opportunities outside of universities and colleges.
Keirsten is a passionate, empathetic, and competent fourth-year BScN [H] nursing student at the University of Windsor. She has a passion for providing exceptional health care and education, while simultaneously meeting the needs of her clients.
Leadership, strong communication, critical thinking and clinical reasoning, advocacy and empowerment, compassion and teamwork, are some of the numerous traits and skills Keirsten has honed through various academic, leadership, volunteer, and employment positions.
As one of the current Committee Coordinators for the Nursing Students of Ontario, Keirsten looks forward to supporting and assisting the executive team in the planning and development of programs and events, as well as being a resource for RNAO/NSO liaisons at provincial nursing schools. Furthermore, she would like to enhance the awareness and the development of actionable goals related to key nursing student's perspectives, issues, and concerns.
As Keirsten completes her education and approaches graduation, she looks forward to bringing her foundation of theoretical knowledge and experience into the professional world. Once she becomes a licensed registered nurse, her aim in nursing practice will be to contribute to the improvement of health outcomes for all, through advocacy, empowerment, and education.