The People Behind the Scrubs: Celebrating Nursing Week at Laurentian

(May 11, 2026) — National Nursing Week (May 11-17, 2026) is an annual celebration that recognizes the important contributions of nurses to people’s health and wellbeing. This year's theme, adopted by RNAO from the International Council of Nurses, is Empowered Nurses Save Lives. 

For Irene Koren, teaching is personal. A long-time faculty member and 1990 Laurentian grad, she still remembers exactly what it felt like to be on the other side of the desk.

“I was a student here too,” Koren says. “Whenever I got called on, I turned every shade of red and every thought went out the window. I know how difficult it can be.”

That empathy is what she brings to her first-year students today. After years of teaching upper year students, moving back to the first-year cohort was an eye-opener. “They’re vulnerable at the start,” she says. “They’re moving into residences, doing their own laundry for the first time, and trying to balance work and school. Seeing them grow from that into professional, confident caregivers is the best part of the job.”

Nursing in North Ontario brings its own set of challenges. Resources are often tighter than they are elsewhere, and the distances are longer. Koren teaches her students that excellence in Northern Ontario often requires a mix of science and sheer ingenuity.

“We don’t always have the same specialist access they have in the Greater Toronto Area,” she explains. “We pride ourselves on creativity. We have to think outside the box to keep patients safe, whether our students end up in a big hospital like Health Sciences North (HSN) or a small clinic in a rural community.”

Whether she is preparing students for placements on the James Bay coast or navigating the complexities of local healthcare, Koren believes the core of a Laurentian education is about more than just tasks. “We don’t approach practice as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ recipe. It’s about recognizing the diversity of the people you’re caring for and fighting for equity in every interaction.”

“My message to those graduating is to take care of yourself first. You can’t be a good nurse if you aren’t well-rested. Stay curious, and remember that nursing is a lifelong journey.”

The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant continues to be a cornerstone of the School of Nursing, providing full tuition and book coverage for both new incoming students and those continuing their studies this fall. This initiative ensures that aspiring nurses in the North can focus on their education and clinical excellence without the burden of financial barriers.