Elaine Mary Jane (Blackburn) Armstrong

Elaine Armstrong was born in 1930 and began her nursing career at Ottawa Civic Hospital School of Nursing in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Upon her graduation in 1952, she earned both the Medical Nursing Excellence Award as well as the Pediatric Nursing Excellence Award. She came to University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada as a General Duty Nurse in 1953 and progressed through various areas of the hospital. She was Registrar of University of Alberta Hospital School of Nursing (UAHSN) for almost ten years, during which time she interviewed prospective students, facilitated their student experience, and coordinated their graduation. She also selected worthy students for bursaries. The qualities she sought to develop in students were Skills, Knowledge, and Cooperation.

Elaine was an excellent role model as she worked in both Service and Education positions at UAH over a span of 58 years (1953-2015), retiring at 85 years of age. During these years, Elaine was honoured with a Long Service Award, Consistent Excellent Performance Award, Honourary Membership in University of Alberta Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae, and the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses “Nurse of the Year” Award. A class award was also named after Elaine.

Elaine spent over 65 years creating, collecting, and developing archival material related to UAHSN. Much of her collection is now permanently installed in special display cabinets at UAH. Throughout her life, Elaine continued to pour into the lives of her children (having had a total of five). For several of her working years, she also ran a bed and breakfast for guests. At 95 years of age, Elaine assisted in the writing of a book entitled, “Honouring the 100-year History of University of Alberta Hospital School of Nursing”.

Amazingly, Elaine recognized students individually by name when they arrived at UAHSN, throughout their training years, and at their many reunions. Former students continued to love, respect, and appreciate Elaine’s personal attention, caring ways, and interest in their careers. She was very instrumental in facilitating their efforts towards successful professional development and the various significant contributions they were able to make in the field of nursing. And yet, with all of her remarkable accolades, Elaine has remained humble.