KHSC nurses earn spot in Top 150

Danica Hamilton and Lynn Newton will always have a special reason to remember Canada’s 150th anniversary - in 2017 the two Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) nurses both landed on a national list of 150 nurse innovators and champions.                                             

A project of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the 150 Nurses for Canada list honours nurses who are leaders in advancing patient and family-centred care and who inspire a passion for nursing in others by actively mentoring and advising their professional colleagues.

Both neonatal nurses, Hamilton and Newton were surprised, pleased and humbled by the CNA recognition, a peer-nominated honour. 

“From a nursing perspective, the list includes what I would consider a very accomplished group of peers,” says Hamilton. “Being selected alongside nurses of that calibre is pretty special and humbling.”

A Registered Nurse at the 10-year mark in her career, Hamilton holds certifications in perinatal nursing and pediatric critical care. Along with ensuring her patients and families are at the centre of care and providing the most current, evidence-based practice, she was praised in her CNA citation for supporting the practice of new nurses in the neonatal field, which includes current work with the CNA to develop a new national neonatal certification program that will go live in 2018.

A 25-year nursing veteran and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Newton has likewise been involved in creating the new certification program and is a two-time recipient of the Postgraduate Residency Contribution to Education Award from the Department of Pediatrics at Queen’s University. Her CNA nomination praised her exceptional teamwork, patient advocacy and dedication to her profession. “Despite the difficult work nurses in the neonatal ICU can encounter,” reads her citation, “she is always prepared to help everyone…[she] continually makes her colleagues feel valued and included.”

Asked why they do what they do, both give identical answers: “I love babies!”

“Neonatal nursing gives you the privilege of working with families during what can be a very difficult time,” says Hamilton. “That’s special.”

The nurses applaud the CNA project for spotlighting nursing professionals in such a high-profile fashion this year.

“This award is humbling,” says Newton. “I’ve been mentored by many amazing nurses and nurse practitioners throughout my career. I congratulate all the nurses recognized for their contribution.”

“There’s so much outstanding work being done in our profession,” says Hamilton. “I’d like to see more opportunities to acknowledge nurses everywhere.”