Judith Stein, UBC School of Nursing adjunct professor since 2006, was a mentor and preceptor to clinical nurse specialist students and a wonderful nursing colleague.
Judith completed a Masters from the University of Washington with a double major in psychosocial and occupational health nursing. Judith worked in the Ombudsman’s office and dealt with issues involving workplace mistreatment. Her primary areas of research were lateral workplace violence and adolescent health. Judith was a sessional instructor at the University of Victoria in the School of Nursing, and was able to facilitate students learning experiences as a teacher, mentor, or supervisor. She actively participated in nursing research projects, such as the partnership project – “Creating Adolescent Girls’ Circles”. This participatory action partnership project built on her extensive experience in designing research related to the implementation of First Nations’ adolescent girls’ groups.
Judith joined the Pacific Regional Nursing team, FNIHB, Health Canada in 2004. In my role as the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Maternal/Child Health, FNIHB, Health Canada, I have had the opportunity to work with Judith, in her role as Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adolescent Mental Health. Judith possessed a wealth of knowledge and experience in her chosen field, in particular on the prevention of aboriginal youth suicide. For example, she was critical to the development of the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NAYSPS) in providing clinical expertise to the BC, NAYSPS task force.
Judith embodied the advanced practice nurse, collaborating with and participating on regional and national working groups, and standing professional committees such as the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NAYSPS). She was interested in the issue of moral distress and its relationship to her role as an advanced practice nurse. She was a caring and dedicated advocate for individuals, families and community members, primarily with women and female youth focusing on issues such as critical incident stress management, family violence, sexual abuse and addictions.