Expanding her knowledge and making a difference in the healthcare industry comes naturally to Caitlin Cosgrove. Not only is she a registered nurse specializing in forensic psychiatric care and rehabilitation at the renowned Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and a Research Assistant in the Nursing Innovation Program at Michael Garron Hospital, but she is also pursuing a Master of Nursing degree at Toronto Metropolitan University.
In her program, she holds a position as a Graduate Assistant for NSE111 Foundations for Nursing Practice and, previously, NSE101 Communication for the Nursing Professional.
Her time at Centennial began with our Addiction and Mental Health Worker program, which led her to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the Collaborative Nursing degree program with Centennial College and Toronto Metropolitan University, a four-year degree program. Throughout her time at Centennial, she was a varsity athlete and the Women's Soccer Team Captain. While there, she volunteered in the varsity program, helping with recruitment efforts.
At Centennial, she acquired numerous awards (approx. 20 in total), such as the Canadian Governor General Medal in 2019; the Community Health Studies Award in 2019; the Jerry and Theresa O'Connor Scholarship in 2018 and 2019; a Varsity Scholarship from 2018-2020; a Coca Cola Scholarship in 2018; the Community Outreach Access and Inclusion Initiative Scholarship in 2020; the Centennial Varsity Most Valuable Player Award in 2019 and 2020; the Dean’s List in 2020, 2022, and 2023 and more.
However, the awards don't stop there. In 2023, Caitlin received several in her master's program, including a Student Conference Grant, the Gail Donner Award, the Graduate Development Award, and the Toronto Metropolitan University Fellowship.
Caitlin's leadership skills shine through her impactful contributions to the nursing curriculum, as she has co-authored several educational resources, including:
- An Introduction to Anti-Racism for the Nursing Professional: A Focus on Anti-Black Racism
- Client with COPD and Complex Medication Profile
- Collaborating With Students: The Key to Creating a Successful Virtual Gaming Simulation
- Interprofessional Practice and Vulnerable Young Adult Virtual Gaming Simulation
- Introduction to Health Assessment for the Nursing Professional – Part II
- Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control Practices for the Interprofessional Learner
Additionally, Caitlin completed two manuscripts at Centennial as a co-author with professors from the nursing and occupational therapy assistant and physiotherapy assistant program, one of which has been accepted and will be published later this year.
She also played a pivotal role with The European Network on Virtual Simulation Online, an international partnership between Canada and European countries. For a week, she spent time in Tarragona, Spain, collaborating with educators to increase student engagement in developing two international virtual simulations.
Adding to her work in this field, Caitlin was a Student Lead and actress for the Actor Simulation on Discharge Teaching on Cast Care and Black Youth Mental Health Virtual Gaming Simulation.
Caitlin's commitment to her community is as extensive as her professional achievements. She serves as a member of the Research Ethics Boards at both TMU and Centennial, is an Ontario Nursing Association Representative, a Youth Ambassador at Anxiety Canada, and has presented at various nursing conferences, including the International Council of Nurses and the Canadian Association School of Nurses. Additionally, she is a Champion for the Registered Nurses' Association Ontario and CAMH Best Practice Guidelines project, a key initiative in CAMH's journey to become a Best Practice Spotlight Organization. This is just a glimpse of the many initiatives Caitlin has accomplished to date.
Caitlin's expertise in this field continues to shine through the remarkable impact she continues to make in her field.