At the elbow support

In the moments that matter most, confidence is built through real-time mentorship, coaching and at-the-elbow support across St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s).

St. Joseph’s Clinical Scholar Nurse (CSN) Program supports St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) nurses at every stage of their careers and is embedded across St. Jospeh’s, pairing experienced Clinical Scholar Nurses with newly graduated nurses, internationally educated nurses and those looking to expand or refine their clinical skills.  

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, the program strengthens the application of evidence-based practice in everyday care, supporting safer, more consistent and higher-quality patient care.

At St. Joseph’s, nurses can access the CSN Program by submitting a request, allowing timely at the elbow guidance tailored to their clinical learning needs.

Finding confidence in a new clinical setting

Registered Nurse Januka Thapa is one of the nurses who has sought mentorship through the program. Januka, who currently works in St. Joseph’s Stroke Rehabilitation Program began her nursing training in Nepal before continuing her career in Canada in 2023.  

“Being part of the CSN program has helped me grow as a nurse, mentor, and teacher,” says Leena. “It allows me to take what I’ve learned over my nursing career and use it to support others and build their confidence in practice.”

Moving to a new country meant adapting to differences in the Canadian health care system, including learning new ways of documenting clinical care, adjusting to team-based workflows and applying more advanced critical thinking in daily practice.

“Seeking support through the CSN Program helped me bridge those differences, build my confidence and feel more connected to the team while continuing to grow in my role as a registered nurse in rehabilitation,” says Januka.

Leena Justus, a clinical scholar nurse at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, mentors registered nurse Januka Thapa through a program that pairs experienced clinical scholar nurses with newly graduated nurses, internationally educated nurses and those seeking to expand or refine their clinical skills.
 

A key part of her experience has been the support of CSN Leena Justus.

“Being part of the CSN program has helped me grow as a nurse, mentor, and teacher,” says Leena. “It allows me to take what I’ve learned over my nursing career and use it to support others and build their confidence in practice.”

Leena explains that this support helps nurses safely manage care in the moment while also reducing unnecessary trips to the emergency department for patients and residents.

“In one instance, I supported a nurse removing staples for the first time and stayed at the bedside to guide the procedure,” explains Leena. “We were able to complete it safely in a single visit, so the patient didn’t need to come back the next day or be sent elsewhere for follow-up care. It helped build the nurse’s confidence and made the experience easier for the patient,” she says.

The program also reflects St. Joseph’s commitment to advancing nursing practice, supporting professional development and strengthening retention.

“This program is about more than support - it reflects our academic mission to connect education and practice, strengthening how learning is applied in clinical care, while empowering nurses across our organization,” says Ann Turcotte, Director Professional Practice.

For Januka, that support continues to make a difference.

“I remain committed to continuous learning and professional development,” she says. “With the right support, I feel empowered to keep growing and delivering the best care possible to my patients.”