Dr. Florence Myrick

Born on the Rock into a family of lighthouse keepers on Cape Race, Florence will be returning to Newfoundland to join her beloved Mum, Fran. After a life well lived, full of passion, purpose and unwavering friendship and a career that excelled, Florence died on November 27, at her home in Dartmouth. Her infectious optimism and “joie de vivre” there throughout.

Flo spent her early years on Franklyn Ave, St Johns with her Mum. After graduating as a RN from St Clair’s in 1971 she went on to obtain her BN from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), then her MScN from University Western Ontario (UWO) in 1986. She started her teaching journey at St Clair’s then at Dalhousie University (Dal). After moving to Alberta where she obtained a PhD and her teaching and research took off. She loved academia in particular philosophy and was fortunate to have special mentors who nurtured this love. Preceptorship became her focus and specialty and was fortunate to share and disseminate this knowledge worldwide. She was prolific in her research and presented papers, with colleagues in places around the world that included Malta, South Africa, Geneva, England, Vienna, Australia, Denmark, and Finland.

Flo’s commitment to work allowed her to produce many scholarly articles and manuscripts which have become informative resources for nursing faculty and preceptors. Many “nursing students have become more successful when entering practice because of her invaluable contributions”.

Flo was the recipient of many grants, awards and Scholarships for her research with funding from organisations such as: Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Graduate studies Dalhousie University, University of Calgary and University of Alberta. Her awards were numerous and included: Excellence in Nursing Award from MUN in 1980 ; was the first student in the Faculty of Nursing at UofA to receive a Doctoral Fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada in 1996; recipient of Excellence in Education from CARNA ; award for Leadership in Nursing Education from Alberta Nurse Educator Administrators (ANEA); excellence in Teaching in Graduate Education from the Student Association, faculty of Nursing University of Alberta. Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) created a one year grant to support research in nursing education being carried out by a distinguished Canadian scholar, Florence was chosen as the first year annual Pat Griffin Nursing Education Research Scholar stating that “she is a world renowned researcher in the area of professional education with a focus on preceptorship”.

Flo loved teaching. She aspired to inspire her students/learners and her “gosslings” (you know who you are) into thinking, curiosity, imagination and impart her love of experimental inquiry. She was so proud of their achievements.

Following her “retirement” (if that were ever possible) she became the first Co – Editor-in- Chief of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) for the Quality Advancement in Nursing Education Journal. For 10 years she loved working in this position with colleagues she admired and valued.

Thank you to the care team for their support. Many thanks to the very very special friends who provided the support and commitment in order for Flo to stay at home. Thank you to her family and friends in Ireland, England, Australia, Alberta, Newfoundland and British Columbia for staying true.

Thank you Flo for everything you were and all that you gave. Rest in peace dear friend knowing that you were, are and always will be dearly loved and terribly missed.

Flo has an Endowment Fund, set up graciously by her mentor Olive Yonge. Contributions can be made to Dr Florence Myrick Graduate Scholarship in Nursing Fund (E0613) at the University of Alberta.