Nursing alumna Alicia Trepanier returned to the Faculty of Nursing to advance her career as a primary health care nurse practitioner, crediting the quality of education she received as an undergrad — excellence reflected in the program’s rising education rankings.
"You made it through," said rookie nurse Alicia Trepanier, her voice slightly muffled by her mask, as she wheeled a newly discharged patient out of a Michigan hospital.
That moment in early 2020 captured a teary-eyed, physically exhausted patient extending gratitude towards Trepanier for recognizing his irregular heartbeat and ultimately, helping to save his life.
Amid the chaos and turmoil that defined health care during the pandemic, Trepanier drew on her education and extensive hands-on experience to deliver a high standard of care — making even the most challenging moments feel almost routine.
UWindsor nursing graduates are recognized for the quality of education they receive, and most importantly, how the program prepares them for the workforce. It stands to reason that local, regional, and international hospitals and agencies are regular visitors to nursing career fairs and recruitment days on campus.
Many graduates, like Trepanier (BSc 2014, BScN 2018), credit the program’s early introduction to clinical placements — starting in Year 1 — along with a wide variety of placement offerings, mentorship, and the instructor-student relationship, as key contributors to their high acumen, competency, and skill development. She adds that the faculty is deeply caring, and that they take a personal interest in their students’ success even after they graduate.
With the faculty’s recent achievements, such as accreditation by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, the launch of the Ontario University Consortium RN Prescribing Education Program, and its increase in enrolment program seats, some organizations that rank Canadian university nursing schools have taken notice.
UWindsor nursing is placed in Macleans magazine top 20 best nursing schools in Canada by program and research reputation, and in University Magazine Best Nursing Schools in Canada 2025.
Trepanier nodded, both delighted and unsurprised by news of the rankings.
She returned in 2022 to the Faculty of Nursing to advance her career as a primary health care nurse practitioner and is set to graduate this fall.
– Gam Macasaet