Cheryl Cusack, RN, MSN, PhD, FCAN

As an educator, I believe that my role is to guide learners in developing their professional identity or the process of learning to “think, act, and feel like a nurse.” I think that health extends beyond disease and clinical care; that peoples’ lived experiences outside of healthcare settings impact their physical and mental well-being far more. 

I use a socio-ecological model of health founded on equity and social determinants. I believe that all nurses are leaders, and it is imperative to have a strong ethical foundation. I challenge learners to demonstrate their knowledge based on CRNM Entry level competencies (ELCs), to highlight nursing knowledge and demonstrate the important roles nurses play in healthcare systems.

My hope is that by building on strengths, learners will become empathetic practitioners who strive to provide culturally safe and high-quality care, while fostering supportive practice environments. A diverse and well-prepared nursing workforce can improve population health and the health outcomes of Manitobans.

Cheryl brings a unique combination of practice, teaching, and scholarship to the nursing profession. She has held clinical roles within the regional health authorities in direct care, advanced practice, and administration. At provincial levels she has worked as a nursing workforce policy consultant, a senior public health nursing advisor/professional practice lead; and as executive director of the Population and Public Health Branch. She was also the executive director of the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba.

Committed to nursing education, while working full-time as a clinician, Cheryl also worked as a sessional lecturer for over eight years. During this time, she held titles of sessional, assistant, and adjunct professor, with the aim to bring diverse and timely experiences to classroom settings. 

Dr. Cusack has been instrumental in numerous projects to advance community health nursing practice at provincial and national levels. She has a long history of involvement with the Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC), including as past president. 

Cheryl has leveraged her education and experience to drive local, provincial, and national evidence-based change, conversation, and policy. Dr Cusack moved into academia full-time in 2022, where her teaching interests focus on population and public health, equity, and nursing leadership.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada (2015)
Dissertation: Development of a public health nurse professional practice model using participatory action research

Master of Science, Nursing, University of British Columbia, Canada (2006)
Thesis: PHN perceptions of their role in early postpartum discharge

Awards

Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing, Canadian Nurses Association (2024)