| April 2012 | | | | Mental illnesses are mental health disorders that are characterized by alterations in a variety of factors including mood and affect, behaviour, thinking, and cognition. Having a mental illness is a very significant challenge that is difficult to cope with. Rather than making things easier for these individuals, society has a tendency to make life more difficult. It’s no wonder that mental illness is hidden. Society has created a sense of shame, embarrassment, and humiliation toward individuals who manage mental illnesses. People are uncomfortable to talk about it, act awkward around those who experience these difficulties, and end up isolating those who may need support the most. Mental illnesses are not just a phase or a problem that can simply be solved by putting your mind to it; it is a disability that encompasses a person. Just as you would not ignore a person with a serious medical disorder, you should also not ignore a person with a mental disorder; mental illnesses are still health problems and deserve to be treated as such. No illness defines a human being; however, society continues to label individuals with mental health concerns. It is vital that the human being is always addressed before the illness, not as the illness. Every human being is valuable and worthwhile; having a mental illness is only one aspect of a person, but does not define who they are. A major factor in society that affects the image of mental health through misperception, lack of education, and media is stigma. Stigma is a serious issue in mental health because there are only negative perceptions associated with having a mental health issue. This needs to change. Stigma is a problem of knowledge, ignorance, attitude, prejudice, behaviour, and discrimination. It is a mark separating individuals from one another based on a social judgment where some people or groups are tainted as less than or below others. It leads to negative beliefs, the endorsement of those negative stereotypes as real, and a desire to avoid or exclude persons who hold stigmatized statuses. Stigma can cause debilitating effects for its victims because they may feel as if they have no one to turn to for fear of discrimination. This is an unacceptable method of treatment toward any human being which can result in severe consequences to those who manage mental illnesses. These walls and barriers need to be brought down so individuals who manage mental illnesses are able to get the due help they need. Negatives perceptions of mental health need to be combatted with positive education and awareness for the purpose of eliminating stigma. The stigma surrounding mental health should be something society works to combat together to make our world a more accepting and supportive place to live in.We need to uncover the myths and stereotypes associated with mental health, we need to acknowledge mental health, and we need to be open to change. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!Laura GallantDirector of Communications, CNSA 2012-13communications@cnsa.ca | | |
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| | March 2012 | | | | Hello, My name is Frédéric Laurens. I am a nursing student (NS) in my last year at McGill University. I am also part of the Canadian Nursing Student Association (CNSA) Board of Director as the Quebec Regional Director for 2011-2012. It looks good to write a title using the words “Director” and “Board of Directors”. It sounds important and gives you the feeling to know who I am. But the only thing that is important and that matter to me is that I am a NS. Titles do not make me who I am. My stages experiences and my experience of leadership with CNSA made me the NS that I am now. I started my studies with no particular goal. I wanted to enjoy life and at the end of my study I wanted to go work and save people. But my stage experiences brought me in a different direction and changed my vision. My desire to save people changed for a desire to care for people at the end of their life. Palliative care opened to me. How did I end up there? The answer is simple. I am an observer, I learn from human contact, and I am open to all possibilities and life experiences. In a way, I think it is life that brought me to be a nurse… I am sure that school played a role in it. My position on the board of Directors of CNSA was offered to me. People saw qualities in me that I was not aware of or too afraid to use at that moment. Someone told me one day that we should never say no to opportunities that are offered to us. Maybe it will finish by a failure, but in each case a new experience is created and it is all those experiences that make you grow as an individual. If we always stay in our comfort zone, nobody would be able to use their full potential. So I accepted the position and learned from it, about nursing in Canada, and about myself therefore making me evolve as NS. I hope to keep moving in this way and to keep accepting all opportunities that are offered to me. If there is none, I will just create one. I wish that all my NS colleagues be careful to not closing doors that they work so hard to open during their studies as they are graduating and entering the field of practice. Be aware to not fall in the crack of the system. You are bringing new ideas and different perspectives; put them forward. To my future RN colleagues, I hope that when you are receiving a newbie on your unit that it reminds you why you choose that profession when you were younger. If that is not the case, it is maybe time for a change and takes on new challenges. Do not forget that the field of nursing is huge and very diversified. It is not the opportunities that are missing. Stay open to the life and to live new experiences. This can bring you far. I did not say anything new in here. We are all aware of it, but it is always good to be told again.Frédéric Laurens, NS. | | |
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| | February 2012 | | | | The last week of January is always an exciting time for nursing students in Canada. Before the chaos and stress of midterms and papers set in, we have the chance to participate in one of the greatest professional development opportunities available to students: The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association’s National Conference. From January 25-28th, 2012, over 500 nursing students from across the country came together in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to take part in the 2012 National Conference which was centered on the theme, “Overcoming Challenges: Harmonizing our Voices.” National Conference is a busy and exciting four days which includes opening ceremonies, incredible guest speakers, exceptional workshops, a charity auction, meetings of the Regional Executives, meetings of the National Assembly, our annual elections for the Board of Director Positions , and a closing banquet. Additionally, this year, our conference coincided with an important announcement from the regulatory bodies that the CRNE will be replaced by an exam developed by an American company in 2015. Since the initial announcement in December, the CNSA Board of Directors has heard an outpouring of concerns from students across the country. This issue is evidently something that students are passionate about, and as the national voice of nursing students, we felt National Conference would be the perfect time to take action. In the days preceding National Conference, the board was working at a fever pitch to draft a petition and design postcards that represented the students’ concerns, which would be mailed to provincial and federal governments, and the regulatory bodies. The response we received was overwhelming! Conference delegates were eager to sign the petition and a postcard, and all of our Official and Associate Delegates brought back petitions to their schools to be signed by students who were not at the conference. In the few weeks since conference, I have received numerous emails and messages from students across Western Canada asking how they can make their voice heard on this issue. To end the week, we held a media event in Saskatoon. Hundreds of students from across the country came together to sign petitions and post cards, listen to the CNSA President speak on the issue, ask questions, and voice concerns. Our event was featured on Global News Saskatoon, and we were ecstatic with the positive response. This issue was such a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating as a profession and the difference we can make when we use our collective nursing student voice. In keeping with our conference theme, we truly were able to overcome a challenging situation by harmonizing our voices. For me, National Conference serves as a strong reminder as to why I initially decided to enter the profession of nursing. The energy and passion for making a difference and being the best nurse imaginable is infectious, and it is impossible not to walk away from the conference feeling inspired. When I looked out at the conference centre packed with my peers, I am filled with a passion to make a difference in my profession, and I realize how fortunate I am to be a part of such an incredible group of individuals who will be the nurses of tomorrow. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!Maggie DankoWestern Regional Director, CNSA 2011-123rd Year BScN Student | | |
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| | December 2011 | | | Be the Voice of Agency: Students PerspectiveAs nursing students we forget that we too have a voice. We are often feel intimidated by our clinical instructors, preceptors, experienced “seasoned” nurses, not to mention doctors and the other various health care providers that we work with interprofessionally on a daily basis during clinical. This can lead to a barrier in effective communication. That being said, as nursing students we play the role of an advocate for our clients and their families even if we aren’t conscious of it. We also serve as advocates for ourselves, each other, and the nursing profession as a whole. It is therefore crucial that we are effective in communicating wants, needs and rights to ensure the delivery of safe appropriate care for all those concerned. As student nurses we are at the front lines which enable us to obtain the information necessary to advocate for client and overall safety and satisfaction. While developing this skill may take time, it is important to recognize that we’ve probably been doing it all along. Over time our confidence in our advocacy skills will improve. In order for this to happen we need to feel comfortable and confident. Nursing students need to feel supported and encouraged to do so. We will eventually be able to advocate for larger issues and ultimately improve the nursing profession and overall health care setting. The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) acts as the national voice of Canadian nursing students; representing the interest of nursing students. As nursing students we are the future of nursing and we need to remember that we do have a voice.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at leadership@cnsa.ca
Sarah Covino
Director of Career and Leadership Development 2011-2012/ Directrice de développement du leadership et de carriès 2011-2012
Canadian Nursing Students’ Association – CNSA/Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada – AEIC
Website/Site web : www.cnsa.ca / www.aeic.ca | | |
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| | National Nursing Student Week | | | The month of November is significant in Canada not only because of Remembrance Day in which we remember those who sacrificed their lives in military service. It is also the month the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) choose to celebrate our National Nursing Student Week (NNSW). This year NNSW will take place the week of November 13th-19th. This week is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding work both during and outside school done by nursing students across Canada. It also serves to promote the role of a nursing student and the nursing profession as a whole. We celebrate NNSW to bring awareness to the public regarding the role of nursing students, honour students who go above and beyond the call of duty, and bring nursing students from across Canada together to share ideas, special moments, and outstanding achievements.This year we launched our NNSW page on the CNSA website (http://www.cnsa.ca/english/aboutus/nnsw) where members can go to find out how to get involved and celebrate National Nursing Student Week at their school and community. There they also have access to the information package, poster for this year, NNSW logo, a blog where they can share their stories, and eventually see photos of past events. If you have questions, suggestions, concerns, or great ideas please feel free to email me at leadership@cnsa.ca Sarah Covino
Director of Career and Leadership Development 2011-2012/
Directrice de développement du leadership et de carrière 2011-2012
Canadian Nursing Students' Association-CNSA/Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada-AEIC
Website/Site web: www.cnsa.ca / www.aeic.ca | | |
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| | October 2011 | | | | One day as I sat in class, I looked around at my classmates and envisioned my future workplace. I saw a place where hands were being raised to answer scientific questions, small groups worked as inter-professional teams and presentations were being made based on a social determinant an individual was passionate about. You see, the future of our beloved nursing profession was before me, being shaped and folded into a package, a package that would eventually be at my mother and fathers bedside. This package has the voice and ability to change policy affecting the little boy down the street with no food and the refugee family that just arrived without a place to stay. I didn’t go into nursing just to learn a set of skills; I came to harvest a culture of change and social responsibly. CNSA is our student avenue to see, learn, and engage in change.Though CNSA has been the voice of Canadian Nursing students for years, the meaning of this principle is a revolving door. Nursing student issues evolve due to changing policy, environment, and populations. The Board of Directors has met twice this summer to hear the voices of our students and implement avenues of change.Our meetings have been loud and exciting! We have recognized the growing passion within the Canadian student body to address policy and political advocacy. Traditionally, nursing students have felt they have little to contribute on a political level, but it has become evident that this new generation of nursing students is not content to sit on the side lines. Curriculum based social determinates of health has increased and student are award of downstream products of upstream decisions. One way students are encouraged to share in these issues is through position statements and resolutions. Through the years few have been passed, but it has always been an exciting part of National Assembly. This year we are encouraging students to research, think creatively, and submit their resolution statements to us for a fully paid trip to National Conference to present. We believe that this will increase the number of position statements presented and in turn encourage meaningful evidence-based discussion across the country and at the National Assembly level. Additionally, my awards committee has added two other awards for students who have lead motivational cause in their local schools and for students who wish to further their knowledge by attending non-CNSA conferences. We are committed to seeing students, the future of nursing, take ownership over their own learning and to be ever striving for stable health policy and to be continually growing within their profession and their professional bodies.As the Vice President of CNSA I am overjoyed to see the enthusiasm and genuine passion across our nation. Our attendance at the National Conference level continues to grow and students continue to surprise us with their creativity and evidence-based knowledge. If you have any questions of comments, feel free to contact me at vp@cnsa.caMary StrainVice President & Director of Inter/Intraprofessional Education and ResearchCanadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) | | |
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| | September 2011 | | | Hello, my name is Teri-Lynn Butt, a proud 4th year nursing student at The Center for Nursing Studies- Memorial University of Newfoundland. I am honored to be the Atlantic regional Director on the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Board of Directors for the year 2011-2012. As a fourth year student with graduation fast approaching, the reality of no longer being a student nurse but a graduate nurse is an exciting yet frightening concept. After communicating with many nursing students in the final year of their programs; the emerging theme seemed to be that of the role transition from novice student nurse to graduate nurse. The question that arises is this: How can our employers contribute to a more smooth transition into the workforce for our upcoming graduate nurses? The literature shows that health care organizations can play a major role in successful role transition for student nurses. One of the major factors posing problems for successful transition is that of role discrepancy. Role discrepancy is often felt by student nurses as our perceptions of the ‘ideal’ and ‘actual’ roles of the nurse on designated units may be clouded. So what are employers doing to help assist graduates in their new roles? Many employers have comprehensive and structured hospital orientation programs for new graduates. Orientations will vary in time and length depending on your health care institution and may involve introduction to the policies and procedures of the organization, mission statements, benefits, safety training and much more. Specific site orientation may last for a period of weeks to months and you may be paired with a mentor for this time. It is here in which the literature states is the opportune time to ease transition by decreasing role discrepancy. Therefore, it is extremely important that we as student nurses take the time to research our health care organizations orientation process and to come ready with questions to ask. Often times our student voice is underused; never be afraid to ask questions, much of the time it will make for much clearer communication and understanding. This issue has motivated me to seek out ways in which we, the CNSA and its members could contribute ideas to helping the transition of new graduate nurses. If you have any comments or advice in which you believe to be beneficial or to aid students in their role transition please feel free to e-mail me at atlantic@cnsa.ca Teri-Lynn Butt
Atlantic Regional Director 2011-2012/Directrice régionale de l’Atlantique 2011-2012
Canadian Nursing Students' Association- CNSA/Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada-AEIC
Website/Site web: www.cnsa.ca / www.aeic.ca | | |
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| | August 2011 | | | | Gooday,My name is Katherine Lamy, 4th year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario. I am the Director of Bilingualism and Translation for the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Board of Directors for 2011-2012. In the past four years of the nursing program, ethics have played a large role in my learning and development on becoming a nurse. I continually learn my role in regards to the legal expectations from clients’, organizations, regulatory bodies, and the judicial system. Even as students, we are at times faced with ethical situations, whether it be in case scenarios at school or in clinical placements. These situations might pose conflict with personal values and can shadow one’s decision making with what “is the right to do.” As a result, a decision making path or process must be undertaken. In the following scenario, a nursing student is faced with an interesting ethical situation. A nursing student was placed on a medical-surgical floor at a regional hospital and was assigned a client with the following presentation: 65 year old male, admitted with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder with previous medical history to HIV, Hepatitis C, Chronic pain from a previous broken back (disability claim from 20 years earlier – work injury) and Clostridium Difficile. The client has been deemed competent by the service and does not have a Power of Attorney, nor a Substitute Decision Maker. Upon completion of head to toe assessment, charting, and preparation of morning medications, the nursing student entered the client’s room and informed the patient they were scheduled for their morning medications, which they had in a medication cup and showed the client. At that moment, the client states “Leave me alone!” The nursing student asked the client if there was anything wrong and the client responded “I don’t want my medications and just want to be left alone.” The nursing student explained there were medications to make them feel better, including for their pain. The nursing student asked if there was anything she could do for the client and if they would reconsider refusing their medications. The client stated “No, I just want to be left alone and don’t want the meds.” The nursing student encouraged the client for approximately ten minutes, whilst explaining what each medication was for and its benefit(s), and tried to reassure the client she could help him but, all to no avail. The nursing student then left the client’s room and charted what had just occurred in the bedside chart’s progress notes. The nursing student then informed her clinical teacher of what had just transpired. The clinical teacher responded “the client needs his meds and you have to force him to take them.” The nursing student explained “the client refused and I tried encouraging him for approximately five to ten minutes but, he wouldn’t budge and he didn’t want them. I charted what happened so that we have a record.” The clinical teacher said “you shouldn’t have charted that and you need to go back and tell him he has to take his meds.” The nursing student went back to the client’s room and tried to encourage the client once again but, to no avail. She charted this again and went back to her clinical teacher. The nursing student explained what she had done and then stated “I am not comfortable forcing my client to take his meds when he is deemed competent by the service.”I remember taking a second year ethics course where we learned the definition of battery. It stuck in my head because nurses are often seen as caring and protecting the sick and injured. One of our main responsibilities is to ensure our clients receive the care they are prescribed and need, such as bathing, assistance with activities of daily living, and providing comfort with blankets and turns. One of the key responsibilities is to ensure safe administration of medications and includes the eight rights to administering medications. However, a critical factor that some nurses may not think of right away is the client’s right to refuse medications. Much of the nursing literature suggests that nurses have become increasingly task oriented with increasingly heavier client loads and acuity of care. With this, comes the importance to ensure all medications are administered in a timely and efficient manner. However, when a client refuses his/her medications, this may alter a nurse’s plan of action and some nurses may become frustrated, despite if they have explained the reasoning behind the client’s needs for them. Some nurses may feel they have failed in their profession if their client does not take their medications and they will have to explain to other staff of their patient goes sour as a result of this. No client deemed competent by appropriate staff (service), should be forced to take their medications. This is considered battery and can result in legal and professional repercussions. Consequences of being found guilty of battery by a court of law include being sentenced to serve time and losing their professional license. Nursing students and nurses must continually remind themselves they are accountable for their practice at all times, and no matter what they may perceive as the “right thing to do,” they must practice within the parameters of the law. This scenario highlights ethical situations can happen to anyone anywhere in their career as a nurse. It is my sincere hope that as nursing students, alongwith the CNSA, can put a stop to battery and ensure our clients are able to exercise autonomy in their decision-making process.If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at translation@cnsa.ca. Katherine Lamy4th year BSN studentDirector of Bilingualism and Translation 2011-2012Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) | | |
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| | July 2011 | | | | Hi, I’m Lindsay Krahn, 4th year nursing student at the University of Manitoba. I am honored to be the Prairie Regional Director on the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Board of Directors for the 2011- 2012 year. Recently, I completed a paper on the issue of bullying (horizontal violence) in nursing. This is a topic that is close to my heart because I know of many new nurse graduates who left the profession after a few short years. So what is bullying? According to the literature, bullying is any behaviour in the workplace that may be considered intimating, disrespectful or abusive to an individual or group of individuals. These behaviours are usually repeated over time and can be attributed to a number of different factors. Some of these factors include: hierarchies; authoritarian management styles; nursing shortages; and a lack of education on bullying. The consequences of these bullying behaviours can be detrimental to both the physical and psychological health of the victim. Common health problems experienced are: headaches, sleep disturbance, depression and helplessness which contribute to increased absenteeism and nurses leaving the profession. So what needs to be done? Hospitals need to develop zero tolerance policies that are effective and strictly enforced. As well, nurses need to be educated about bullying in order to properly identify those behaviours that are unacceptable in the work environment. Furthermore, there needs to be more awareness regarding the proper methods to report bullying in the workplace. This issue has motivated me to work both within and alongside the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association, to help nursing students identify, report and put an end to bullying in the nursing profession.If you have any comments or advice, please e-mail me at prairie@cnsa.ca Lindsay Krahn, Nursing StudentPrairie Regional Director, 2011 – 2012Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) | | |
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| | June 2011 | | | | Hi, I’m Katrina Vande Bunte, 4th year BScN student at Red Deer College in Alberta. I am so proud to be the Director of International Health on the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Board of Directors for the 2011 - 2012 year. One of my responsibilities is to represent CNSA on the global scale, which is partially done through involvement with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) – Student Network. My position enabled me to attend the ICN’s Annual Conference this past May. The slogan of the conference, “Nurses driving access, quality and health” and the messages from the conference resonated with me and have fueled my passion for nursing and the progress we can make. It was amazing to be part of the thousands of nurses from all around the world and to be inspired by their passion for nursing. Diane Mason spoke about the intertwined role of social media in nursing, which encouraged me to do everything I can – because it does make a difference! The first lady of Rwanda inspired women everywhere with her speech about the important role of women in the world. Attending the ICN Conference in Malta has fueled my passion for social justice. According to the World Health Organization, “Social justice is a matter of life and death. It affects the way people live, their consequent chance of illness, and their risk of premature death.” This experience has motivated me to work both within and alongside the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association, to help nursing students strive for equity, fairness and justice for all as ultimately; it affects the health of our patients both now and in the future. If you have any comments or advice, please e-mail me at international@cnsa.ca Katrina Vande Bunte, Nursing StudentDirector of International Health, 2011 – 2012Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) | | |
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| | February 2011 | | | | Hello!My name is Queenie Lee and I am the 2010-2011 Canadian Nursing Students’ Association’s (CNSA) Western Regional Director. I am in my last year of the After-Degree BScN program at the University of Alberta. I have the privilege of overseeing official delegates that represent schools from British Columbia, Alberta, North West Territories, and the Yukon. My role is to liaise between students in our region with the board of directors, recruit new chapter schools, and to communicate with our regional stakeholders. This year marks the highest number of membership in the western region with a total of 9 member schools. We were fortunate to have a majority of our chapter schools attend the 2011 CNSA National Conference this past January in Hamilton, ON. There were 862 students in attendance, the highest attendance in CNSA history. Through this conference, students were inspired by our keynote speakers including Jean Watson, Tilda Shalof, Cathy Crowe, and Judy Boychuk-Duscher. Currently, we are working with three students representing different schools in British Columbia, to become chapter members. This shows that our students are passionate about the nursing profession and are ready to actively take part in influencing their nursing practice. With your continuous support, we hope to expand membership in the west this upcoming year and provide more opportunities for our students to network, to learn about nursing or health trends across provinces, and to develop leadership qualities that will enhance their practice. | | |
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| | Decmber 2010 | | | December 2010The Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) is the national voice of Canadian nursing students. Our goal is to increase the legal, ethical, professional, and educational aspects, which are an integral part of nursing. My name is Jamie Kyriacou and I am the Ontario Regional Director. Over the past few months I have been advocating on behalf of nursing students in Ontario on different issues that arise throughout the year, as well as making students aware of the several nursing events, workshops, and additional educational opportunities taking place across Ontario. I am also responsible for continuously engaging and welcoming members into the association. In addition, I also collaborate with various nursing associations to discuss the many issues affecting current and future nurses and the impact these issues will have on nursing students. CNSA Board of Directors, and members are currently preparing for the 40th Annual National Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Discover the Opportunities, Find Your Passion”. The conference is being held January 26th to January 29th in Hamilton, Ontario at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Over 600 students will gather from across Canada to participate in professional development and networking with peers, presenters and potential employers. With changing dynamics in health care today, and expanding scopes of practice and greater demands nursing is evolving. The theme allows participants to explore the many opportunities available and students will uncover their potential, and start fulfilling it now. This years keynote speakers include Jean Watson, Tilda Shalof, and Cathy Crowe. Students depend on their nursing faculty and deans to help promote and support student involvement in CNSA. It is always important for them to be aware of the various educational opportunities and professional development available at the national conference. Students can benefit from this experience, as well as network with other peers, presenters and stakeholders. This is turn creates a stronger more developed nursing student(s) and association. If you have any further questions or concerns please email ontario@cnsa.caJamie Kyriacou
Laurentian University / Université Laurentienne
Ontario Regional Director / Directeur régional de l'Ontario
Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) / Association des
étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada (AEIC)Tel/Tél: 416.899.0529
Email/Courriel: ontario@cnsa.ca
Website/Site web: www.cnsa.ca / www.aeic.ca | | |
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| | October 2010 | | | | The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) is the voice for nursing students throughout Canada. As the Atlantic Regional Director, I have been working actively to ensure all schools throughout the Atlantic Regional are able to include their voice. Our area includes Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nunavat. We currently have eight out of 16 schools that are current members of CNSA that are benefiting by being connected through communication, have access to conferences to inspire growth and leadership in nursing, and many awards and scholarships that they are eligible for. Since I have started my position, I have started recruiting the 50% of the schools that are not active member and three are attending our upcoming conference in Antigonish, N.S. Currently I am emailing and visiting (locally) schools to provide information about CNSA and assisting them in getting started with the collection of fees for membership. Three of the schools that have contacted me to send information to their Dean’s and Directors as they are an integral part of helping the students get this process off the ground. We feel, as students and members, that our Dean’s and Directors are beneficial in helping us grow academically and professionally and the CNSA is an asset in this process.If you have any questions or advice, and you are from the Atlantic Regional area, please feel free to contact me at abryan@upei.ca. Thank you, Angela Bryan – Atlantic Regional Director. | | |
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| | September 2010 | | | | This summer has been busy for the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA). Our Board of Directors (BOD) held their second meeting as a board on August 25th and 26th in our nations’ capital. This meeting provided us with an opportunity to discuss and collaborate on new recruitment and retention strategies that could potentially benefit our members. With school back into full swing, it is crucial for us to reach out to our members, and to expand and develop new chapters. To do this, September Packages have been developed to supply member schools with essential information that they will require throughout the year, such as new scholarships and awards, new endeavors such as Buy-A-Net Campaign, and resources available to our members such as NurseOne Portal, and our discussion forum. To recruit new members, we will be distributing Recruitment Packages to potential chapters with the necessities and basic steps of how to start a member school, and what CNSA has to offer. It is important as faculty to be familiar with these documents to increase awareness at a local level, and to encourage your students to take advantage of the numerous benefits and resources that are available through CNSA. This could help to create a stronger voice, in turn creating a stronger association. If you have any questions or concerns about our recruitment and retention strategies, or how to become involved, please e-mail myself at services@cnsa.ca. Thank you, Carla PittmanMemorial University – Centre for Nursing StudiesDirector of Membership Services, 2010-2011Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) | | |
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| | August 2010 | | | | This past summer has been a busy one for the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA). The CNSA Board of Directors (BOD) spent June 9th to the 12th in Halifax, NS for their first meeting as the new board. The week together was kick-started by attending the CNSA sponsored luncheon at the CNA Biennial. The luncheon provided a great opportunity for the new CNSA Board to meet and mingle with nurses from all over Canada. The BOD welcomes new and returning CNSA members as many nursing programs return to full swing in September. Quickly approaching fall regional conferences offer a great opportunity to unite members from across the five regions to discuss issues, opportunities, future goals, regional accomplishments, and much more. Having more students actively involved in the CNSA creates a stronger association which can speak more clearly as the voice of the nursing students. As students, we depend on their nursing faculty and deans to help promote and support student involvement in the CNSA. In upcoming CNSA submissions, you will hear from our regional directors who will be telling you how they are actively trying to recruit and retain members and how you might be able to help. If you have questions about whether your school of nursing is already a chapter or how they can become one please email Carla Pittman – Director of Membership Services services@cnsa.ca | | |
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| | May 2010 | | | The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) is the national voice of Canadian nursing students, with a goal to increase the legal, ethical, professional and educational aspect integral to nursing. We represent approximately 25,000 baccalaureate, practical and psychiatric nursing students from coast-to-coast. The CNSA is represented on the CASN Board of Directors by Robyn Powers, our Vice-President & Director of Inter/Intra-Professional Education and Research, who attends the Memorial University – Centre for Nursing Students in St. John’s, Newfoundland.The 2010-2011 CNSA Board of Directors has a busy year ahead of us. This operating year is a strategic planning year, in which we will map out our course for the organization’s future. Strategic planning will be part of an action-packed Board of Directors meeting taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia after the Canadian Nurses’ Association Biennial Convention. First, all board members will be attending the CNSA-sponsored luncheon at the Biennial Convention on 09 June 2010. Following that, the June Board of Directors meeting will take place 10 June 2010 through 12 June 2010.
Preparations are also well underway for our always much anticipated National Conference, this year being held in Hamilton, Ontario by the McMaster-Mohawk-Conestoga CNSA Chapter. A hard working team from these three schools is already working on making this year’s conference even more successful than the last.
Something new for CNSA is that we can now be found on Facebook and followed on twitter. Become a fan or follow us today to keep up to date on CNSA news, events and announcements. I also welcome any questions that you may have, and look forward to hearing from you! You may email me directly at president@cnsa.ca. The 2010-2011 CNSA Board of Directors:President - Branden Shepitka (Laurentian University)
Vice President & Director of Inter/IntraProfessional Education and Research - Robyn Power (Memorial University - Centre for Nursing Studies)
Director of Communications - Cyndi Jones (St. Lawrence College - Kingston Campus / Laurentian University)
Director of Membership Services - Carla Pittman (Memorial University - Centre for Nursing)
Director of Bilingualism and Translation - Alexandre Pare (Université de Moncton)
Director of International Health - Betty Ng (University of Alberta)
Director of National Career and Leadership Development - Jesse Woodward (Grant MacEwan University)
National Conference Director - Matthew Smith (McMaster University)
Atlantic Regional Director - Angela Bryan (University of Prince Edward Island)
Quebec Regional Director - Jessica Gramont (McGill University)
Ontario Regional Director - Jamie Kyriacou (Laurentian University)
Prairies Regional Director - Supriya Nishtala (University College of the North)
Western Regional Director - Queenie Lee (University of Alberta)
Past President - Tyler Kuhk BScN, GN (Lakehead University)
Administrative Officer - Andrea Pinsent-Martineau
National Community and Public Health Officer - Hannah McCuen (St. Lawrence College - Brockville Campus / Laurentian University)Diversity Officer - Mary Strain (McMaster University)
Publications Officer - Harmeet Minhas (University of Alberta)
Officer of Education and Scholarship - Krista Smith (Cape Breton University) | | |
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| | National Community and Public Health Officer | | | Greetings, My name is Kara Moore and this past December I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Saskatchewan. I am currently living in Regina, Saskatchewan; where I have started my first job on a general surgery ward in a mentorship program. My position on the Canadian Nursing Students Association (CNSA) is the National Community and Public Health Officer (NCPHO). This position within the CNSA has given me a wealth of opportunities and experiences that I will share with you. As the NCPHO, I am responsible for liaising with the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA). This past summer I had the opportunity to represent the CNSA at the CPHA annual conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was great to be there representing the nursing student voice at a national interdisciplinary conference. As the NCPHO, I chair the Community and Public Health Committee and this year I have successfully recruited seven nursing students from across Canada. We have been working on the development of an environmental health position statement for the CNSA. In regards to environmental health, I have also been liaising with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) on environmental health issues. This year at the CNSA national conference in Quebec City, we had a speaker from the CNA give a presentation on environmental health! I also helped the Director of International Health make the “Buy a Net for Malaria” campaign possible. This gave Canadian nursing students a chance to take leadership roles in their communities by raising awareness and money for Malaria prevention. My journey this year with the CNSA has been unforgettable; I have acquired valuable experience and knowledge that will empower me throughout my nursing career. It has provided me with the opportunity to network with other nursing students from across Canada and various professional associations in a student leadership capacity. The CNSA truly is the voice of nursing students across Canada and I am so happy to say that I have been a part of such a wonderful association. I encourage all nursing students to get involved, be leaders and make a difference; because together we can continue to strengthen the voice of nursing students across Canada! Kara Moore
National Community and Public Health Officer / Officière nationale de la sante publique et de la communauté 2009-2010
community@cnsa.ca
Canadian Nursing Students' Association(CNSA)/Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada(AEIC)
www.cnsa.ca, www.aeic.ca | | |
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| | Profile of Laura Highmoor | | | Happy New Year! My name is Laura Highmoor and I am a University of Saskatchewan student enrolled in the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) in Regina, Saskatchewan. I am currently in my fourth and final year of the program and am very excited to begin the journey of a Registered Nurse! I am one of the newest members of the Canadian Nursing Students Association (CNSA) Board of Directors as I commenced my position as Prairies Regional Director in September of 2009. As Prairies Regional Director I work directly with Licensed Practical, Registered Psychiatric and Registered Nursing students from the Saskatchewan and Manitoba prairie region. The purpose of my position is to convey issues and concerns of the prairie region nursing students to the Board of Directors and to nursing students across Canada. Current chapter member schools within Saskatchewan include the University of Saskatchewan and Kelsey Campus and within Manitoba the University College of the North, and University of Manitoba. We are pleased to announce that the First Nations University of Canada chapter in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan is our newest chapter school to join CNSA and we look forward to working with this school! Recruitment of new schools within Saskatchewan and Manitoba remains a priority within the prairie region. Many nursing schools within the prairie region have expressed interest in becoming CNSA members! The current H1N1 pandemic has affected nurses and nursing students worldwide. The CNSA has advocated for the ethical recruitment and preparation of Canadian nursing students who participate in mass H1N1 immunization. Specifically, the CNSA has worked to help raise awareness of this issue within nursing schools to address the rights of students who are asked to immunize and the potential liability associated with the practice of student immunization. The efforts of the CNSA have informed the development of risk management protocols for nursing students’ immunization education and Registered Nurse supervision of students who administer vaccines. The Western/Prairie Regional Conference, a venue for western Canadian nursing students and the Western/Prairie Regional Executive meeting, was held in Edmonton on October 23rd and 24th. The Conference offered a career fair, workshop by Janice Waddell, and many inspirational speakers discussing topics such as of nursing leadership. Official and Associate Western and Prairie Region delegates met at the Western/Prairie Regional Executive meeting to discuss updates pertaining to how schools are involved in H1N1 pandemic planning, Alberta Health Services, how students are preparing for National Conference to be held in Quebec City in January, and work to help address any issues nursing students may be facing within their particular school or province. One of the major issues addressed at the Executive meeting was the effect of Alberta’s current and fiscal deficit on its health care system. The executive dialogued about factors associated with public fiscal deficit and the implications that consequent government fiscal allocation policy has for the health and safety of Albertans. The outcome of this dialogue was a letter raising awareness of Alberta’s current health care issue sent to Albertan and other provincial government officials. The CNSA Board of Directors has worked diligently to raise awareness of government fiscal deficit policy, how it is affecting nurses and nursing students in Alberta and across Canada, and ultimately the risk it poses to our Canadian Public Health Care System. Special thanks to Kristen Fulton and Jenn Parsonag as well as the whole regional conference planning committee for a wonderful and unforgettable conference! The 2010 CNSA National Conference will be held in Quebec City, Quebec at the Universite Laval from January 26th to January 30th. The Prairies Region has been hard at work preparing for the conference as well as promoting the conference to students in their schools! I am very privileged to serve as the 2009/2010 Prairies Regional Director for the CNSA and look forward to continuing to work closely with fellow nursing students across Canada. For more information regarding the CNSA or becoming CNSA members please visit our website at www.cnsa.ca or contact me directly at prairie@cnsa.ca . I hope to see you in Quebec City! | | |
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| | Profile Catherine Gauthier | | | Hello everyone, My name is Catherine Gauthier and I am the 2010 Canadian Nursing Students' Association's (CNSA) National Conference Director. I am a third year student at the Université Laval Faculty of Nursing, in Québec City. It's with great pleasure that I contact you as the conference will be taking place in less than two months, between the 26th and the 30th of January, 2010. A year ago, I decided to get more involved in CNSA activities and I put together a team of ten students to help me in the immense task of organizing the National Conference. Ever since, the project came together piece by piece. Of course, a few details remain to be ironed out, but it will soon be over. We have tackled plenty of obstacles but we will offer an exceptional conference to the over 400 students who will be present! My task as Director have been to ensure the project moves towards completion, to be the spokesperson of the organizing committee to the Board of Directors and vice-versa, and to communicate with the major stakeholders and CNSA members. This year, we are taking advantage of the fact that the conference is being held in Quebec to highlight the bilingual mission of the CNSA. Holding the conference here is a great opportunity for students from across Canada to appreciate the plus-value brought to the Association by our bilingual status. Some workshops and some speakers presentations will be presented in French, but Anglophone delegates will be able to attend and participate by various means. I am working in tight collaboration with the Director of Bilingualism and Translation to make this a very successful bilingual event! This year's theme: Moving Forward, Change is Here! Touches the new practical realities in nursing today, and the major issues for students and nurses, in the context where nursing is in constant change across the country. The anticipated retirement of many experienced nurses and the massive influx of new graduates creates a special dynamic in the workplace. However, as the theme suggests, we must not wait for change, but make it happen! Participants will be invited to reflect on what they contribute as future nurses. This year, there will be a new presentation offered to delegates in collaboration with Nursing the Future. The theme of the presentation, which will be given on Tuesday January 26th, is: Professional Role Transition: From Surviving to Thriving. There will also be a new workshop on legal and ethical issues in nursing, as well as one about wound care. Of course, the usual workshops will be offered, including: professional career development, CRNE prep, a leadership workshop and prep for the Canadian RPN examination. As for speakers, we will have several famous speakers, each more interesting than the last. They will focus on several subjects including: Health insurance in Canada, environmental health, interprofessional collaboration, politics and health care in Canada, the development of the nursing profession and the transition of new grads to the workforce. As mentioned above, these subjects will be presented in such a way as to help current students understand their own role in the greater scheme of things and what the can do to contribute positively to the changes coming our way. There is less than one month left to register, so until January 8th, 2010. So far, 520 participants have signed up. I invite you to keep up this momentum and contribute to the success of this conference. Come learn and be better leaders and actors of change! Sincerely, Catherine Gauthier Directrice du Congrès National 2010 / 2010 National Conference Director Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada (AEIC) / Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) | | |
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| | Profile of Valérie Saillant , Québec Regional Director | | | | Greetings,My name is Valérie Saillant and I am studying at the School of Nursing at Laval University, in Québec. I am beginning my third and final year of studying with a lot of enthusiasm and my head full of projects. Since I started at Laval in 2007, I have been involved in the Canadian Nursing Students Association (CNSA) and it is with great pleasure that I accepted, in April 2009, the position of Québec Regional Director within this association. In this position, I take part in CNSA’s board of directors which meets three times a year. It is a very enriching leadership experience which allows me to learn and to share on many levels, on all subjects, related to our profession and to act as an official spokesperson among students from the province of Québec.The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association plays an important role for students. It acts as an official spokesperson between students and governments, professional healthcare groups, and the media and it also provides a wide variety of tools to improve success in healthcare.In the province of Québec, there are only two schools that are members of the CNSA, Université Laval and McGill University. As the delegate for the province of Quebec, my first goal is to promote the CNSA and recruit new schools so that the greatest number of students possible may benefit of joining such an association and being involved in it. Each year, the official and associate delegates of Quebec work hard to promote CNSA at their schools. This way, year after year, more than forty students from the province of Quebec can participate at the National Conference which is held once a year in January.One of my other priorities is to work in close collaboration with the various professional associations and to promote the students’ interests of the province of Quebec and also to support our other colleagues from across the country. This is why this week I will participate in the conference of the Ordre des Infirmières et Infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) which will be held in Quebec City. I will establish a contact with representatives from nursing schools and I will seize the occasion to inform them about the advantages of becoming a member of the CNSA. For the second year in a row, McGill University is hosting the Regional Conference under the theme “Cultiver les horizons / Reaching Out...” and we are proud to offer an entirely bilingual conference to the students. The conference will be held from October 30th to November 1st 2009 in Montreal. Keynotes speakers will explore the various possibilities of our profession and will make the students aware of those possibilities which are offered to them. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jeanette Verleun and her team for their non-stop work to make this conference an unforgettable success.During the last National Conference held in Charlottetown in January 2009, my team and I have proved our leadership and boldness by submitting Quebec City’s candidacy to host the next National Conference of the CNSA. It is with great pleasure and pride that I announce that, for the first time, Université Laval will be the host of the National Conference of the CNSA in the wonderful Quebec City from January 26th to 30th 2010. Under the theme “Moving Forward Change is Here!”, more than 400 students from across Canada will share on issues related to nursing and its stakes. The main themes will be the state of healthcare insurance, interprofessional collaboration and the importance to acknowledge the presence of nurses in research. It is an important event not to be missed!Hoping to welcome you to one of our various activities, I thank you for your valuable time and encourage you to communicate with me to learn more about the CNSA. It will be my pleasure to talk about important subjects and stakes that are directly or indirectly related to our profession which is in constant evolution. I am looking forward to meet you! Valérie SaillantQuebec Regional DirectorFaculté des Sciences Infirmières de l’Université Lavalquebec@cnsa.ca / www.aeic.ca | | |
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| | Profile Jason Gabel | | | | Hello,My name is Jason Gabel, and I am the Director of Bilingualism and Translation for the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA). I am currently in my fourth year of the French nursing program at Laurentian University, in Sudbury, Ontario. Being a francophone nursing student in an Anglophone majority community has its challenges. Everything we learn in class is in French, however in the hospital setting we must communicate and chart in English. But it is very rewarding when patients are able to thank us for providing them care in their mother tongue. Making sure all of our documents are properly translated into both official languages is a major part of my role. Being a bilingual association in Canada is essential to reaching out to members from coast to coast. Over the last few years, we have invested a lot of time and energy into translation. No communication is sent out to our members or to the general public before first being translated by our dedicated translation committee. We take a lot of pride in the fact that we have become one of the most bilingual associations in Canada, all the while being run entirely by students. Every presentation, debate as well as the national assembly of our annual national conference are simultaneously translated, so that both Francophones and Anglophones can participate in dialogue and debate in their own language. This year, our national conference will be held at the heart of the francophone community, right in Quebec City. I also serve as the liaison between francophone schools and English speaking Regional Directors in the CNSA, to help them in the recruitment and retention of members in these schools. My goals for the rest of my term are the completion of the website translation and revamping our bilingualism policy, to reflect our current, and much improved, bilingual situation. Sincerely, Jason GabelDirecteur du bilinguisme et de la traduction /Director of Bilingualism and TranslationAssociation des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada (AEIC)/ Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) | | |
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| | ICN Durban – A Celebration of Nursing! | | | This year in Durban South Africa, the ICN held its 24th quadrennial congress with the theme “Leading Change: Building Healthier Nations”. There were more than five thousand nurses from 134 countries gathered at the Congress to celebrate nursing and network with each other. It was the first ICN in African, and there was a strong African presence: of the 5,000 nurses attending, 3,300 were from Africa. The opening ceremonies of the congress were an empowering experience for the nurse. The Canadian nurses sat together, waving flags, and singing traditional Canadian songs, as the diverse assembly of nations mingled and danced together waiting for the official start of a week celebrating the diversity and the strength of nursing.The student presence at the congress was also felt. The ICN student network had a group session on Monday June 29, which was well attended, with students from Denmark, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Ghana, United States, South Korea, New Zealand and other countries. Canada and the CNSA were represented by Stephanie Williams, the Director of International Health, who sat on an international student’s panel to share with the students the work CNSA does. On Tuesday, the ICN student network held its first ever network meeting, following the first official democratic elections which took place online this spring, 2009. The meeting ended with an address by the one new member of the CSG that was in attendance from Denmark, Ms. Judit Kyed Jensen. The ICN provided a venue for students to meet, share ideas, and to celebrate our chosen profession of nursing!There were many inspirational keynote speakers throughout the week, and a multitude of research sessions. There are so many nurses around the globe who are passionate about their profession and their studies; and the congress allowed these individuals a chance to showcase their hard work and dedication to the profession. Partnerships were formed, and friendships were forged. The ICN also held its general assembly. Sitting in on their meetings as an observer gave an interesting perspective on the needs of nations, and the idea of what nursing will do for the world in the future. Overall the ICN congress was a chance to reflect on the nature and future of our profession and the impact it has on peoples from around the globe. Yes, some changes may need to be made, and difficult challenges lie ahead for many nurses, but working together nurses can be proud of our profession. We need to listen to each other and to our patients, we need to work with each other and other healthcare professions, and we need to respect the job that we have chosen. After attending this conference, and entering my last year of nursing school, it is like being on the edge of a precipice, a bit frightening but ready to plunge into new choices, challenges, and life-changing experiences. Stephanie Williams,
Director of International Health
CNSA | | |
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| | Profile : Tyler Kuhk | | | It is both a challenging and exciting time to be a nursing student in Canada. With the vast advancements in health care and research, nursing students are taking part in a unique and unforgettable educational experience to prepare them to be the future of health care in this wonderful country of ours. The challenges we face in our education, coupled with our busy lifestyles can greatly influence our empowerment to be the agents of change in a time where we hear so much of economic hardships and health care system restructuring. Nursing students need that empowerment, and I have been so fortunate to find my vehicle to passion through my involvement with the CNSA.As the new President for the Association, I almost always reflect on my journey thus far in my nursing career, and it often feels surreal to be in a position with such honour, to represent students in a profession that is so dear to my heart.As I enter my final year of my BScN at Lakehead University, I can truly say that it has not only been the experience of a lifetime, but also an amazing introduction to my journey within the health care system. I am sure I am not alone when I say that CNSA has been a definite force of empowerment to me, and I feel that when uniting as one voice, the power we can exert to make the changes in our nation that will better the health of all Canadians is a very real and attainable goal.As I continue my term as President, and begin my final year, I will always look back on all of the experiences I was fortunate to have as a nursing student. I look forward to embracing the changes and dealing with the challenges I am about to experience in my career, but I will always remember that with any challenge, comes opportunity. Tyler Kuhk President/Président
Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA)/
Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada (AEIC)
Website/Site web: www.cnsa.ca / www.aeic.ca
Co-Chair/Co-Président
New Health Professionals Network (NHPN)/
Réseau des nouveaux professionnels de la santé (RNPS)
Website/Site web: www.futurefaceofmedicare.ca
Tel/Tél: 807.251.2240
Email/Courriel: president@cnsa.ca
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