Donna Cabrera has a long history of nursing practice ranging from a cardiac focus in acute care to a history of working in long-term care, enjoying gerontological nursing practice. She received her BScN at St. Francis Xavier University in 2000 and following, became a Nurse Educator here at St. Francis Xavier University, when she realized her passion for teaching. She completed her MN at the University of New Brunswick with a clinical focus on delirium, depression, and dementia, keeping her focus on the older adult population. Her MN study provided her the opportunity to explore spousal caregiver’s commitment to those living with Alzheimer’s Disease using both a nursing theoretical lens―Parse’s theory of human becoming, and a nursing research method― the Parse’s Research Method. Her dissertation research team for “Fulfilling a Commitment to Another as a Lived Experience of Health” included Dr. Katherine Aquino-Russel, University of New Brunswick, and Dr. Beryl Pilkington, York University.

Donna has worked with students completing their advanced majors, along with those undertaking their honors in the nursing program. She has taught several nursing courses and has provided clinical guidance predominately in years 1, 2, and more recently, at the 4th year level of the regular BScN program. Donna has also taught on several occasions in the Post Degree nursing program.

Donna was a collaborative team member, along with other STFX faculty members in establishing the Alzheimer’s Café here in Antigonish, which was an earlier attended support group for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and/or others interested in learning about living with the disease. She has also been a Co-Facilitator for the GASHA Chronic Disease Management program. She sits on several committees with the Rankin School of Nursing, is a Board member of the Naomi Society for Victims of Violence, and has been part of the Ageing Well Together Coalition in Antigonish.

Recently, she completed several courses towards her Leadership & Management certification through McMaster University. Currently, she is taking pleasure in her continued learning through her PhD studies, enrolled into the Inter-University Doctoral Program in Educational Studies (PhD).