Adam Henley

Cochrane, Ontario
Nursing

“Trent has offered me a diverse learning experience, with extensive clinical experience in local hospitals,” says Adam Henley, one of the newest graduates of the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing. “The open learning environment has allowed me to explore outside my direct area of inquiry. I have a respect for interdisciplinary learning and teaching after my experience at Trent.”

Originally from Cochrane, Ontario, Adam came to study at Trent for the personalized educational experience and the welcoming campus environment. “I was excited to become involved in a progressive learning community,” he says.

Always proficient in his clinical practice and known for his dedication to community involvement, Adam has spent his time at Trent well. He has been a member of the Trent Central Students Association (TCSA), the Trent Pride Committee and Trent Students Offering Support (SOS), a peer tutoring network that provides support to students during hectic exam time. He also sits on the Advancement Committee of the Trent Board of Governors, offering a student perspective to the Board and assisting in leading change within the University community. In commenting about his role with the Board, Adam says, “It has helped to prepare me for future leadership positions in other public institutions.”

In October 2008, Adam enriched his Trent experience by travelling to Beijing, China to present a case study at an international nursing conference. “The presentation compared best practices for the establishment of safe, effective dosage titration to actual practice at the study site,” he explains. “It also reviewed evaluative methods for clinical stability, safety and complications.”

Adam’s success with presenting overseas is an indication of his dedication to the field and practice of nursing and health care management. As a dedicated student, he spent his summers immersed in diverse research positions, including a placement as an undergraduate nurse at the University of Alberta Hospital where he cared for acutely ill patients on an inpatient hematology unit. In this position he also provided psychosocial support for patients coping with leukemia.

“I am most proud of being an individual who navigates the cancer care journey for fatigued patients,” Adam says, reflecting on his experiences. “Helping to improve quality of life and to reduce complications from chemotherapy is a very meaningful interest for me. In fact, I remain excited to study cancer symptom management in the near future.”

Looking to the future, Adam envisions pursuing a graduate nursing degree within the next 10 years. In the meantime, as a graduate of the Trent/Fleming program, he will begin his career as a registered nurse, oncology specialist and clinical researcher, continuing his dedication to and exploration of health care practices and cancer care.