Paula Didham, RN, BN, MAdEd
A swimmer in a wetsuit stands at the end of a long dock on a glass-still lake at morning, forested hills on the horizon.

Registered Nurse · Educator · Endurance Athlete · Speaker

Going the Distance

A Registered Nurse since 1976, a teacher of nurses for over thirty years, four times a Boston Marathoner — and at seventy, still practising, still racing, still going the distance.

Invite Paula to Speak Meet Paula

The idea

Going the Distance

Paula's presentations are built on real-life stories of gratitude, grit, and resilience. Drawing parallels from her marathon running experiences, she explores the art of going the distance in nursing — and finding purpose in every step. Her key themes include:

  • Harnessing the Power — knowing our reason for being here, and recognizing the gifts we've been given.
  • Surviving the Storms — cultivating grit to overcome the hardships we encounter.
  • Finding New Start Lines — developing strategies, staying focused, working together, maintaining resilience, and getting back up when we fall.

You don't need to be a runner to connect with Paula's lessons about going the distance — or to see yourself in them. As Paula puts it, you just need to know what it feels like to work really hard toward something.

Close selfie of Paula in a Boston Marathon cap on a bright morning beside a rocky river.
A training morning between races.

“The hardest part isn't crossing the finish line.
It's getting to the start line.”

Paula crossing the Newfoundland Ironman 70.3 finish line in 2007, arms raised high, mid-shout of joy.
Newfoundland Ironman 70.3, 2007.

The talk

What to expect

Paula's style is motivational and deeply personal, sharing stories that speak to nurses at every level. Her storytelling blends lessons learned from students, colleagues, patients, and her own family.

Paula's approach is rooted in the belief that life is about achieving and maintaining a healthy balance. She invites her audience to explore the complexity of human experiences, and challenges them to find the humour in their serious moments, confidence on their doubtful days, and strength during their weakest times. She encourages them to embrace life's challenges, from the minor mishaps to the major milestones. Her talks are a call to individual and collective action.

Keynote — 45 to 75 minutes, with time built in for discussion — or a full-day interactive workshop. Designed for practising nurses, healthcare teams, professional associations, unions and regulatory colleges — and equally meaningful for nursing students and faculty.

“Nursing is an endurance sport.”

The person

Meet Paula

Paula is a nurse, educator, researcher, and storyteller with 50 years of experience in health care.

  • Registered NurseWestern Regional School of Nursing, Corner Brook · 1976
  • Bachelor of NursingMemorial University · 1991
  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificationUniversity of Toronto · 1997
  • Master of Adult EducationSt. Francis Xavier University · 1998

Paula took frequent unpaid leaves during her teaching years to work at the bedside. She is an accomplished writer and highly regarded researcher; most notably, she received the ARNNL Provincial Research Award in 2011 for her publications and outstanding contributions to nursing.

Paula's running started in the nineties, with 5Ks and 10Ks. She ran her first marathon in Ottawa in 2000. Since then she's run 14 marathons, including Boston four times. In 2007, she completed her first half Ironman race, and in 2024 ran her first 50K Steep Ultra marathon.

Today Paula lives in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, where she practises as a Registered Nurse with the Extramural Program.

Paula pointing both hands at her t-shirt, which reads: tough enough to be a nurse, crazy enough to love it.
The job, summarized.

“Paula was a wonderful and engaging speaker who shared meaningful insights from her experiences in nursing and marathon training.”

Peggy Colbourne, BN, RN, MN Director, Western Regional School of Nursing
Paula at the 50K start banner of the STEEP Ultra trail race, smiling, wearing bib number 112 with her name on it.
The start line of the STEEP Ultra 50K, September 2024.
Paula Didham smiling warmly at a table in Cheers, Boston, wearing her 2017 Boston Marathon jacket.
Paula at Cheers Pub after the 2017 Boston Marathon.

Speaking

Bringing Paula to your event

Paula's presentations are filled with laughter, reflection, and practical takeaways that stay with people.

From taking on a 50-kilometre mountain ultra with more than 2,000 metres of climbing, to riding out back-to-back hurricanes, Paula's stories are about keeping going — going the distance — no matter how steep the climb.

Paula speaking at a lectern in a classroom, her Going the Distance title slide projected on the screen beside her.
Going the Distance for fourth-year BScN students and faculty, Western Regional School of Nursing, September 2026.

Going the Distance can be tailored for a conference keynote, professional development session, or an in-depth interactive workshop — shaped to suit the audience and the event.

Based in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

“Paula shared powerful parallels between long-distance running and the development of a strong professional identity.”

Laura Roberts, RN, BN, MN, CCNE Nurse Educator · Simulation Coordinator Western Regional School of Nursing

Connect with Paula

Planning something for your nurses, members, team or students? Send Paula the details — even the rough ones.

Prefer email? [email protected]