Administration Team
Leadership
Director, Centre for Nursing Studies
Dr. Kathy Watkins, B.N., M.N., Ph.D., R.N.
Tel: 709-777-8161, Fax: 709-777-7324
Dr. Watkins has been a long-time faculty member at the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS). Her experience in nursing education spans more than 28 years having taught at the diploma, baccalaureate and masters levels. Her teaching in nursing has focused on medical-surgical concepts, women’s health and professional development.
In addition to teaching in the Bachelor of Nursing (Collaborative) and Practical Nursing programs, Dr. Watkins has been actively involved in the Continuing Nursing studies programs offered at the CNS. Prior to assuming the role of director, she was the associate director of the Non-Degree Programs at the CNS. She is also a professional associate in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University where her primary responsibility is research on hereditary colorectal cancer. She continues to teach in graduate level programs.
During her career, Dr. Watkins has been an active volunteer in numerous professional and community organizations. In addition to being a member of multiple academic, provincial and national committees, she is an accreditation reviewer for the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. She is a member of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Committee and is actively involved in program approval of practical nursing programs outside of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Operations Manager, Centre for Nursing Studies
Chad Chafe, B.Comm
Tel: 709-777-8139, Fac: 709-777-7324
Mr. Chafe was appointed to the role of Operations Manager with the Centre for Nursing Studies in June of 2023.
He was employed with both Eastern and Western Zones with NL Health Services for more than 15 years. Mr. Chafe held Human Resources Consultant positions in both Recruitment and Labour Relations and was the manager of Central Staffing for Rural and Urban areas for approximately six years.
Prior to assuming his present role, Mr. Chafe was the human resources business partner with NL Health Services – Eastern Zone. This position focused on strategic initiatives for the Cancer Care, Children and Women’s Health and Paramedicine programs. Mr. Chafe is a graduate of College of the North Atlantic and St. Mary’s University and sits on the Board of Directors with the NL Folk Arts Society.
Associate Director, BScN (Collaborative) Program, Centre for Nursing Studies
Anne Marie Tracey
Tel: 709-777-8169
Ms. Tracey has been involved in nursing education for many years, having taught at the former St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital School of Nursing before joining the Centre for Nursing Studies. She has been involved in administration at the Centre for Nursing Studies in the role of Associate Director of the BScN (Collaborative) Program since 2004.
Ms. Tracey was the school lead for the CASN accreditation and CRNNL approval processes of the BScN (Collaborative) Program in 2022.
Ms. Tracey sits on the Board of Directors for the Rabbittown Learners Program.
Associate Director, Academic and Quality Initiatives, Centre for Nursing Studies
Karen Blundon MSN, RN, PNP, SANE, CCHSE
Tel: 709-777-2686
Ms. Blundon has been connected to the health care profession for over 33 years, working as a Registered Nurse in specialty areas, and in administrative non-health care roles. Karen’s nursing career spans the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and transport team, women’s health, pediatrics, and internal medicine. As an educator, Karen has worked with simulation pedagogy since 2007, as a Simulation Specialist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI; and as the Simulation Coordinator at St. Mary’s University, Leavenworth, KS, and at the Centre for Nursing Studies, NL.
Ms. Blundon’s non-nursing professional career has been in government, living and working abroad in the U.S.A, Singapore, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. She has held numerous positions with the U.S. Government: Professional Associate – Protocol for the Department of State, U.S. Embassy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Program Coordinator with the U.S. Department of Navy, U.S. Embassy in Singapore. In her most recent government work, she was G20 Visitors Officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ms. Blundon sits on a number of committees at the Centre for Nursing Studies and at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Associate Director, Non-Degree Programs
Denise Miller RN BN MN
Tel: 709-777-8181
Ms. Miller has been a faculty member at the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS) for several years and has taught at the diploma and baccalaureate levels. Prior to assuming the role of Associate Director of Non-Degree Programs, Ms. Miller was the Coordinator of the Practical Nursing Program. As well, during the 2021-2022 academic year, Ms. Miller was the Coordinator of the Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Bridging Program, special cohort.
During her career at the CNS, Ms. Miller has participated in program development initiatives such as co-developing the Peer Mentorship Program for students. At the provincial level, Ms. Miller has been involved in work exploring attrition levels in the Practical Nursing Program as well as curriculum review and revision for the Provincial Personal Care Attendant program.
Ms. Miller has been actively engaged in innovative teaching strategies and has been an active member in simulation research, integration, and evaluation. She was a team recipient of national and regional funding for simulation and education development. Ms. Miller, along with her team members, were recipients of a national team award for innovation in Practical Nursing education by the Canadian Association of Practical Nurse Educators (CAPNE).
Team
| Role | Office / Contact Telephone | |
| Greeley, Kerry | Operations Officer/Library Assistant | Room G02/LRC Tel: 709-777-8179/709-777-8192 |
| Green, Debra | Secretary – Practical Nursing Program | Room 1024 Tel: 709-777-8158 |
| Layam, Ann Jellah | Business Office | Room 1032 Tel: 709-777-6644 |
| Hutchens, Karen, B.A., M.L.I.S | Coordinator/Reference Librarian | Room G39 Tel: 709-777-8189 |
| Seward, Jennifer | Secretary – Bachelor of Nursing Program | Room 1111 Tel: 709-777-8164 |
| Porter, Lindsay B.A. | Instructional Development Specialist/Computer Lab | Room 122 Tel: 709-777-8194 |
| Rice, Catherine | Registrar – Non-Degree Programs | Room 1007 Tel: 709-777-8174 |
| Tsuasam, Priscilla | Executive Assistant to CNS Director | Room 1031 Tel: 709-777-8161 |
| Waterman, Denise | Registrar – Bachelor of Nursing Program | Room 1132 Tel: 709-777-8171 |