Victoria Order of Nurses

My Mom worked as a VON nurse back in the old Cobalt

Days when I was about 6 yrs. old. I recal the medical bag

she carried and that I used to lug around sometimes to give

her a rest. It was heavy.

VON's first 12 nurses were admitted to the order at a ceremony in November 1897 - just a month before Queen Victoria granted the organization its royal charter.

For over 100 years, VON has pioneered health services in Canada. Theye have a proud tradition of often being the first to identify emerging health and social needs, and then providing innovative services that meet those needs. That's the way it's been since the founding of the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada.

In the Canada of the late 1890s, nurses, doctors and hospitals were desperately needed in remote areas and in rapidly growing towns and cities.

VON's non-profit role will continue to provide governments with services that fulfill universal public health care programs, while the development of related service ventures will provide new revenues to supplement existing funding for VON's charitable services.

As decreasing health dollars leave government-funded programs struggling to meet demands, the need for charitable services in Canada is increasing.

Given this fact of life in difficult economic times, VON is especially committed to ensuring that its vital charitable work continues.