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Dr. Steven Cairns

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Assistant Professor / Faculty of Education and Professional Studies - School of Nursing
Program Chair / Faculty of Education and Professional Studies - School of Nursing
Position
Full-time Faculty
Chair
Extension
4769
Website
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About
Steve Cairns is a Registered Nurse and Certified Educator in Ontario who has explored a variety of work experiences among diverse cultural groups within Canada and abroad. As an educator Steve employs innovation in assignment design and synchronous learning opportunities to engage nursing students in online learning. Steve is currently a PhD Candidate in nursing education at York University. Steve’s dissertation research focuses on patterns of critical caring among nurses responding to environmental crisis. Steve has completed two fellowships through the Associated Medical Services/Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (AMS/RNAO) Fellowship Program (2018, 2019), focusing on online relational engagement in nursing education. Steve is currently enrolled in the Caritas Coach Education Program (CCEP), through the Watson Caring Science Institute. Steve enjoys an active lifestyle in all seasons with family and friends in Bracebridge, Ontario.
Education
BScN, McMaster University
BEd, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education - University of Toronto
MEd, University of British Columbia
PhD, York University
Research
Areas of Specialization:

Ecological nursing, critical caring theory, online learning engagement, critical cultural education, interprofessional health education, program development and evaluation.

Research Interests:
  • Exploring cultural adaptation and mitigation experiences of Registered Nurses in relation to climate and ecological crisis
  • Relational nursing practice within technology-enabled learning
  • Exploring best practices in PhD seminar coursework
Current & Future Research:
  • An exploration of patters of critical caring among nurses facing climate and ecological crisis
  • An Exploration of the Value and Best Practices Associated with Doctoral Seminar Courses for PhD Nursing Students in Canada
  • Practice Spotlight Organization: Exploring Student Engagement of Evidence-Informed Practice in a Professional Foundations in Nursing Course Research Committee
Publications

Cairns, S., Manankil-Rankin, L., Spadoni, M. (2020). An emerging conceptual module for developing relational practice within an online community of inquiry. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Cairns, S. (2020). Paradigm as soul time: a concept analysis of nursing and environment. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Cairns, S., Nash, J. (2018). Building Bridges: Interprofessional education that brings people and professions together, Center for Interprofessional Education. https://mailchi.mp/f0ca66141c74/uoft-centre-for-ipe-june-2017-newsletter-1535229

Cairns, S. (2015). Community Action: Promoting citizen rights to clean air, water and soil. [Newsletter] Ontario Nurses Environmental Interest Group, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.

Salyers, V., Carter, L., Cairns, S., Durrer, L., &. (2014). The use of scaffolding and interactive learning strategies in online courses for working nurses: Implications for adult and online education. Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education, 40(1). http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/cjuce-rcepu/article/view/22199

Presentations:

2020

Cairns, S. (2020, June). Caring in a context of climate and ecological crisis: A proposed focused ethnography of nurse leaders, Thinking Qualitatively Conference, Edmonton, AB. (conference cancelled).

Cairns, S. (2020, June). An exploration of patters of critical caring among nurses facing climate and ecological crisis, Canadian Doctoral Nursing Network Conference, Regina, SK. (conference cancelled).

2019

Cairns, S., Killam, L., Connors, M., Peachey, B. (2019, November). Creating a culture of empowered online learners. Technology Enabled Seminar & Showcase, Toronto, ON.

Cairns, S. (2019, October). Nursing and our planet: Beyond cognitive dissonance, oral presentation, Global Human Caring Conference - Victoria, BC.

Cairns, S. (2019, October). Relational engagement in online nursing education: Challenges and opportunities [poster presentation], Global Human Caring Conference - Victoria, BC.

Cairns, S. (2019, June). ‘One Health’: The moral imperative of ecological nursing, Canadian Doctoral Nursing Network (CDNN) Conference, University of Regina, Regina, SK.

Cairns, S., Manankil-Rankin, L., Spadoni, M. (2019, March). An emerging conceptual model for developing relational practice within an online community of inquiry [poster presentation], Registered Nurses Association of Ontario -Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship (ACPF) Forum, Toronto, ON.

Cairns, S., Dabrowski, M. (2019, May). You can’t stand still on a wave: redefining human engagement in a digital learning context for a digital context, Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE), conference, Vancouver, BC.

2018

Cairns, S., Manankil-Rankin, L., Spadoni, M (2018, November). An emerging conceptual module for developing relational practice within an online community of inquiry [poster presentation], Associated Medial Services (AMS) phoenix conference, Toronto, ON.

Cairns, S., Dabrowski, M. (2018, November). Redefining humanity for a digital context, why collaboration matters, Technology Enabled Showcase & Seminar (TESS), conference, Toronto, ON.

Cairns, S., Killam, L. (2018, May). Leveraging human capacities in digital learning environments, Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) conference, Toronto, ON.

Cairns, S., Manankil-Rankin, L., Spadoni, M. (2018, March). An Exploration of Relational Practice in Online Nursing Education – Approaches and Insights, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario -Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship (ACPF) Forum, Toronto, ON.

2017

Cairns, S. (2017, November). The Impact of Technology on the Delivery of Compassionate Patient-Centred Care [poster presentation], Associated Medial Services (AMS) phoenix conference, Toronto, ON.

Cairns, S. (2017, November). Building a community of ‘open learners’ in northern Ontario, Northern Interprofessional Collaborative for Health Educators (NICHE) Conference, North Bay, ON.

2016

Beattie, B., Cairns, S. (2016, June). Learning Effectiveness: A Program Evaluation Framework. Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) Conference. Waterloo, ON.

2015

Cairns, S. (2015, November). Nursing Earth, one community at a time: An examination of influencing local environmental policy through interprofessional collaboration [webinar presentation], Canadian Water Resources Association, BC Branch, Vancouver, BC.

Cairns, S. (2015, October). Your community needs you - An example of community collaboration towards political change, Northern Interprofessional Collaborative for Health Educators (NICHE) Conference. Sudbury, ON.