Meet Your Professors

What I teach: I teach first year professional practice, and third year professional practice in pediatrics. I also tutor 4th year students completing their final placements.  

My educational and career background: I completed my degree in sciences first at the University of Toronto (human biology), then wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I worked for a year doing research with fruit flies, but quickly realized I wanted to work with people! I volunteered at a hospital in labour and delivery and this opened my eyes to nursing. So I applied for the accelerated nursing program at U of T and finished my BScN in 2003. My passion has always been to work with children, and I worked for 9 years in pediatric cardiology at the Hospital for Sick Children. I started teaching part time in 2006, and joined the School of Nursing full time in 2008.

Personal: Most of my free time is spent being a mom to my 4-year old son, but I also like reading, swimming, and crafts. 

My philosophy of teaching and learning: As a teacher, I really try to balance being supportive while also challenging students to reach their full potential.  

Advice for students: Nursing opens so many doors and offers a wide variety of opportunities! Embrace what McMaster and the BScN program have to offer. You will build great, lifelong friendships with the people you meet (I still keep in touch with my friends from nursing school!). Take the time to get to know your teachers, your peers, and take the time to take care of yourself too.

Welcome to Nursing! My name is Lynda Bentley Poole. I am a proud McMaster BScN graduate and MScN   graduate from the University of Toronto. Prior to my teaching career, I was a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse as well as a Public Health Nurse. I am currently a full time Assistant Professor with the School of Nursing. I have a particular love for teaching first year courses, but I also teach in all other levels of the program, particularly in the PBL courses. To be honest, I’m not sure why I initially chose Nursing as a career path but I am sure glad I did!  At McMaster I found mentors who believed in me and motivated me as a learner. Some of my mentors were my teachers, but others were the nurses I met and friends, many of whom I am still connected with today. Nursing is both an art and a science. I am a strong believer in the value of problem-based learning.  Learning how to identify your learning needs, and knowing how to locate and use credible sources of information are essential components of competent practice.  However, you also have to care - about yourself, others, and the world in which we live.  Our commitment is to the public we serve, and this is a great privilege. I am honored to be a part of your journey in Nursing. I am here to not only teach, but to mentor. Thank you for choosing McMaster as your school.  I hope that you will feel the way I did when I was a BScN student. My goal is to walk the journey with you, to support you as a learner and for you to be successful.

What I teach: I am the course coordinator and instructor for Human Anatomy and Physiology – HTH SCI 1H06.

My educational and career background: I graduated from the University of Guelph BSc program in Biomedical Sciences.  I later completed my PhD at McMaster University.  During my PhD I studied the electrophysiological properties of smooth muscle to better understand the mechanisms contributing to obstructive airway diseases such as asthma.  I then attended the University of Toronto to conduct post-doctoral research.  The aim of that research was to better understand the mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular disease (hypertension & heart failure). I am currently a full time faculty member of the McMaster School of Nursing.  I teach undergraduate students in several streams: BScN basic, BScN accelerated, and RPN-BScN.  I also teach at the graduate level in the Ontario Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner Program.  Past and present courses include Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Statistics.

My philosophy of teaching and learning:  Lifelong learning is a critical component for continued success in all nursing professions.  To become a lifelong learner, one must have a passion for inquiry that goes beyond the classroom.  I believe that students learn best when they are encouraged to work to their highest potential in a learning environment that is open and inclusive.  I strive to challenge students by setting high learning expectations and work to create a learning environment where students feel free to share their ideas, ask questions, and explore differing opinions.  While I can provide the environment and tools necessary to assist in your learning, it is up to you to put in the effort, it is up to you to ask the questions, and it is up to you to make the most of your journey in undergraduate education. 

Advice for students:  1) Come to class.  By not attending lecture you will be missing out on an important learning opportunity.  Some of our lectures include live demonstrations of concepts that can only benefit you if you are part of the experience. 2) Study with a partner or in a small group.  The best way to understand what content/concepts you know well (and by virtue what you do not know well) is by discussing or explaining these concepts to your peers.  By exclusively studying alone you may fail to recognize where the gaps in your learning exist.  3) Ask questions.  If anything is unclear, do not hesitate to ask.  You may ask faculty, academic advisors, your TA’s, peers, etc.  How can you learn if you do not ask questions?  4) Seek help if you need assistance.  Do not suffer in silence as many of us are prone to do.  Seek help.  You may start with your faculty and/or academic advisors.  If we cannot assist you, we can always point you to someone who can.