The future of our union: Part II

As such, they look to ONA members and leaders for your guidance and expertise to help them carve a path towards safe and reliable practice, and for your support with the unique challenges they face. We all have an important role to play in fostering their connection to our union as we fight for and give them a strong voice on the issues that matter most.

In this four-part series, you’ll hear directly from the most recent recipients of the ONA and Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Scholarships & Bursaries about what ONA means to them. These scholarships are available to first-time students who are immediate family members of ONA members and enrolled in accredited Canadian Nursing Students’ Association-affiliated nursing education programs or other regulated health professional programs in Ontario.

In Part II, learn why these next four students wanted to pursue a career in their profession and the importance of ONA advocacy, not only to them but all Ontarians. 

Bijaya Khanal

“A significant influence on my decision to pursue the Master of Nurse Practitioner (NP) program is my commitment to addressing health disparities among underserved populations, particularly long-term care residents. In my work, I have encountered many residents who face barriers to accessing quality health-care resources. As an NP, I aspire to bridge these gaps and provide holistic, patient-centered care to those most in need.”

Parker Stonehouse

“For me, ONA isn’t just an organization, it’s a lifeline. It’s the reason I was able to navigate my injury and come back stronger. It’s the reason my coworkers and I feel supported, even during the toughest shifts. And it’s the reason ONA75 continues to be a place where nurses can thrive and patients can trust the care they receive. It’s a shining example of what ONA stands for: advocacy, community and a commitment to making things better for everyone.”

Hadia Bilal Ahmad

“In the emergency department, where nurses face critical situations daily, ONA’s advocacy for adequate staffing levels and safe working conditions becomes particularly significant. These protections help to mitigate the risks of burnout, physical injury and mental strain, ensuring that nurses can deliver the best care to patients without sacrificing their own well-being.”

Annie Potestio

“ONA is a powerful advocate for health-care professionals, offering support, education and representation in areas such as policy, benefits, workplace safety and mental health. By ensuring that nurses are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the profession, advocating for fair working conditions and addressing issues of systemic racism and discrimination, ONA creates a health-care system that benefits not only health-care workers but also the patients they care for. Through its ongoing advocacy, ONA is helping to build a more diverse, equitable and sustainable health-care system that provides high-quality care to all.”

The deadline to apply for the 2026 ONA and CFNU scholarships is July 1. Learn more about those scholarships and the other support we offer students here.