Kathy Murphy’s journey into nursing began early, influenced by her role as the eldest of four children. Taking on a mothering role to her siblings and volunteering as a Candy Striper in a small hospital as a teenager, Kathy was naturally drawn to the nurturing profession of nursing.
Throughout her career, Kathy found immense reward in caring for a variety of patients at Vancouver General Hospital and Montreal General Hospital. Her experiences also included teaching at St. Paul’s School of Nursing and taking on administrative roles at St. Paul’s and Richmond General Hospital. These varied roles enriched her career, giving her a broad perspective and deep appreciation for the nursing profession.
Kathy returned to school twice for degrees, working tirelessly to support herself through school with the help of a Federal Health Training Grant. This gave her firsthand knowledge of the financial strains associated with funding education. These struggles were on her mind when she established the Murphy Memorial Bursary in memory of her husband, Gordon, honouring the critical role nurses played during his battle with leukemia.
During this time, Kathy was serving as the Chair of a Capital Campaign for the Registered Nurses Foundation of BC. Gordon’s experience with acute leukemia underscored the essential care provided by nurses. During his 60 days in isolation, he recognized their importance. “He was a generous person throughout his life. He wanted to give back, and this inspired me to establish the bursary. I recognized the urgent need for more funding,” Kathy recalls. This solidified her commitment to the cause, leading to the creation of the bursary in Gordon’s memory.
The Murphy Memorial Bursary supports graduate students studying oncology or palliative care, fields they believed mature students would benefit significantly from, given the substantial challenges of returning to school. Gordon’s experience with acute illness and subsequent palliative care highlighted the importance of these specialties. He believed in living each day to its fullest and accepted the need for palliative care when the time came.
The impact of the Murphy Memorial Bursary is evident in the heartfelt thank-you letters Kathy receives each year from the award recipients. These letters often describe the profound difference the bursary has made in their educational journey and career choices. Kathy takes great pride in knowing that the bursary helps support the next generation of nurses, particularly in the challenging fields of oncology and palliative care.
Kathy hopes that the bursary recipients will exhibit respect for patients as they navigate end-of-life decisions. She emphasizes the importance of viewing the patient as a vital member of the decision-making team and recognizing that some family members and friends may struggle with the patient’s diagnosis and care.
Looking ahead, Kathy is committed to ensuring that the Murphy Memorial Bursary continues to support nurses in oncology and palliative care. She acknowledges that although not all nurses can deal with death and dying issues, those who do provide essential care.
To current nursing students and those considering a career in nursing, especially in oncology and palliative care, Kathy offers sage advice: “I encourage them to apply for any available funding and hope they recognize the significant financial support that bursaries can provide.” She also highlights the importance of self-care and maintaining outside interests to sustain a long and rewarding career in nursing.
Kathy believes nursing is a profoundly rewarding career that equips individuals with invaluable skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will continue serving them throughout their lives. She acknowledges the inherent challenges in oncology and palliative nursing but emphasizes their critical role in patient care. Above all, Kathy passionately advocates for giving back to the community and the organizations that have supported nurses financially, fostering a legacy of compassion, dedication, and continuous support within the profession. She hopes nurses will excel in their careers and give back to the nursing community to ensure a brighter and more caring future for all.