Ashley Fox, RPN AFCN GPNC(C)
For Ashley Fox, nursing was never about a single lightbulb moment. Instead, her path was shaped by steady steps, dedication, and a guiding belief that if it’s meant to be, it will be — with hard work and support along the way. Today, Ashley is a Registered Practical Nurse with advanced certifications in foot care and gerontology, serving as Community Outreach Coordinator at Promyse Homecare. Her career spans not just frontline care, but leadership, mentorship, and advocacy across Ontario.
Early beginnings
Ashley grew up in Harriston, one of three rural communities in the Township of Minto. Her father worked in construction, her mother in manufacturing, and from the age of 13 she was working too. At just 12, staff at her local library called to offer her a position as a Page. They held the role until she was legally old enough to start — a formative experience that foreshadowed her later interest in policy and public service.
High school further confirmed her interest in healthcare. A co-op placement at a long-term care home gave her the chance to shadow a med-cart nurse, and eventually to assist PSWs directly. The experience revealed the realities of hands-on care and, just as importantly, helped Ashley decide whether nursing was the right fit before investing in college.
“By the end of that placement, I realized I had both the aptitude and the drive for the profession,” says Ashley.
After graduating from Georgian’s Practical Nursing program in 2010, Ashley was hired as an RPN at a retirement home, pending the results of her registration exam. When the results arrived, she feared for her future in the role.
“I missed the passing score by just two points and was terrified,” she recalls. “But my manager reassured me I could keep working until my registration came through.”
Instead of letting that moment derail her path, Ashley rewrote the exam the following year and passed on her second attempt. The experience taught her perspective and resilience — lessons she now shares with new nurses as a reminder that supportive leadership and persistence can make all the difference.
Building a career
Ashley’s final placement at Georgian required a full semester of unpaid work. Though facilities in her area typically selected students from Conestoga College, she applied anyway — and secured a coveted placement at Grand River Hospital. From there, she transitioned into retirement and community care roles, steadily building clinical experience while also taking on increasing leadership responsibilities.
By 2015, Ashley was serving as a Director of Care in Waterloo retirement living. Though the role brought challenges — including managing staff and navigating burnout — it also solidified her passion for mentorship and advocating for safe practice.
“I discovered I really loved teaching and supporting new nurses. Mentorship became just as important to me as bedside care,” says Ashley.
In 2021, she joined Promyse Homecare. Originally hired part-time, her role quickly expanded into a full-time position tailored to her strengths. Today, she blends community outreach, client case management, and specialized services such as advanced foot care. Under her leadership, Promyse grew from one full-time foot care nurse to three, expanding access to a service that can dramatically improve quality of life for seniors.
Advocacy and leadership
Beyond her day-to-day nursing, Ashley has been a powerful advocate for the profession. She served on the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Council from 2014 to 2021, sitting on multiple committees including Discipline, Fitness to Practise, and Patient Relations. In 2019–2020, she was elected Vice-President (RPN) and appointed to the Executive Committee. At the Council table, she became known for correcting misconceptions about RPN scope of practice and speaking up for safe, sustainable nursing policy.
Her advocacy extended beyond regulation and into politics. In 2019, Ashley attended her first healthcare protest at Queen’s Park. Two years later, she ran as a provincial candidate for Perth–Wellington, motivated in part by her personal experience of limited maternal care access during her pregnancy. The gaps she witnessed firsthand — including nurses pulled from vacation to staff critical units — strengthened her determination to push for systemic change.
Advice for new nurses
“Find a mentor — that’s the biggest thing. We’re so isolated in our nursing roles that connecting sooner can make all the difference,” says Ashley.
Looking back, she points to mentorship as the single most important factor in building resilience. She encourages new nurses to find mentors early and to connect with peers, rather than feeling isolated in their roles.
Ashley also stresses the importance of empowerment: equipping nurses to advocate for themselves and their patients. In her view, safe practice requires boundaries, and nurses should never feel penalized for upholding standards of care. Early support and strong mentorship, she believes, can give RPNs the confidence to succeed in any environment.
For Ashley, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about showing up for colleagues, setting an example, and speaking truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether at the bedside, in a boardroom, or on the steps of Queen’s Park, she remains determined to use her voice to protect patients, empower RPNs, and strengthen healthcare for the future.
