Navidad Canga: "It has been worth dedicating my professional life to educating those who will one day take care of us"

Navidad Canga, a professor and nurse at the School of Nursing University of Navarra, has been awarded the award for excellence in Education in nursing by Sigma Nursing Europe in its 2026 edition. This recognition not only honors three decades of dedication professor as a researcher but also celebrates the progress and consolidation of an entire generation of nurses in the academic and researcher fields.

In his acceptance speech ( speech ) for the “ award,” Canga looked back on his thirty-year career in academia, highlighting the “profound transformation” of nursing in Spain over the past few decades. During his lecture ( presentation), he emphasized how the “ discipline ” managed to overcome historical barriers to establish its own programs ( Master's Degree and doctorate).

Throughout his exhibition, he emphasized the crucial role that mentors play in academic degree program . Recalling his early days at research, he noted that “one of a professor’s greatest responsibilities is to help others discover skills they don’t yet know they have.” He also stressed that research work takes on its true meaning when new generations of scholars are trained, allowing the knowledge to continue growing beyond the scope of individual work.

In the session dedicated to Community Nursing and Advanced internship , she argued that health is closely linked to people’s living conditions and social environment. Faced with the challenges of today’s clinical internship , she advocated for the need to combine a rigorous approach with empathy, noting that “evidence is essential; however, we must never forget the person receiving our care—their values, their circumstances, and their vulnerability.” As she explained in her speech, teaching and healthcare share the same essence of listening, support, and active presence.

In closing, she recalled the words spoken in 2004 by the former director of the School of Nursing, who had expressed her hope to see a nurse with a doctoral degree standing on the university’s main podium. Twenty years later, on September 13, 2024, that goal became a reality when a nurse delivered the first inaugural lecture— position —at the University of Navarra.

Professor Canga concluded her remarks by reaffirming her commitment to the future of the profession and academic h bequest : “The true value of an academic h degree program lies not only in what we have achieved, but also in the opportunities we leave open for future generations.” To conclude her remarks, she looked back with gratitude and satisfaction: “It has been worth it to teach, conduct research, learn from others, and contribute… and, above all, it has been worth it to dedicate my professional life to educating those who will one day care for us.”