By Elizabeth MacDonald

Carol Covert lived a life of purpose. A dedicated nurse and, later in her career, an administrator, she believed in the healing value of bedside nursing.

When she died in 2014 at age 73, Carol’s husband Michael chose to honour her memory with a bequest from his estate. The Carol Rene Covert Memorial Scholarship will fund the full cost of tuition and on-campus living expenses for a full-time student annually in the Dalhousie University Bachelor of Science (Nursing) program.

“Carol was a devoted bedside nurse; she cared about her patients so much,” explains Michael, “I’d like to think the students who are awarded this scholarship will also be drawn to a career in direct clinical health care.

“Carol loved nursing and she took her work so seriously,” explains Michael. “And what better way to honour her memory than by helping educate future registered nurses, dedicated – like Carol was – to making a difference in the lives of others.”

Outside of work, Carol enjoyed gardening, photography and cooking. “Carol had a great sense of humour and was full of fun,” says Michael. “We enjoyed our life together and I miss her so much.”

But it was Carol’s commitment to compassionate, one-on-one nursing that defined her.

Born and raised in Charlottetown, PEI, Carol graduated in 1963 with her diploma in Nursing from the former Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing.  Over the course of her 33-year career in Halifax, Carol moved from the bedside to management. She was awarded a post graduate diploma in Nursing Service Administration from Dalhousie University in 1972.

Nursing is an intensive program, involving both classroom theory and applied field work. “To succeed, you have to be focussed and dedicated to your studies,” says Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, Director of Dalhousie University’s School of Nursing.

“Holding down a part-time job on top of long hours of studying is immensely stressful and can compromise student success,” she adds. “Financial support – like the Carol Rene Covert Memorial Scholarship – helps lift that pressure, so students can give 100 per cent to their studies, without worrying about paying for textbooks or making rent.”

“We’re profoundly grateful to Michael Covert for his generous bequest.”

Michael’s motivation for giving is simple: “I want to do as much good as I can.”

“I only wish I’d made this decision before Carol died. She would like to have known.”

And with this final, loving gift, Carol Covert’s legacy as a caring frontline nurse will live on through future generations of Dalhousie University nursing graduates.