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Special thank-you to Doria and Sasha.
The College of Nursing celebrated its 70th Anniversary at Government House in Regina. The event was hosted by Lieutentent Governor Dr Gordon Barnhart and Mrs Barnhart.
The fourth year students studying with Dr Sandra Bassendowski in 417.3 attended the event as part of their learning. They were highly successful in using their voices to inform our government of student experiences and to share their knowledge and ideas about nursing education with our Premier, the Honourable Mr. Brad Wall, the Honourable. Mr. Rob Norris Minister of Advanced Education, Employment & Labour, who is responsible for post-secondary education and Honourable Mr. Don McMorris, Minister of Health who is responsible for the health care system of the province.
The Lieutentent Governor Dr Barnhart, has been a strong supporter of the College of Nursing for many years. Students were able to meet and talk with him about the College. It is one thing to learn about how policy development occurs and the relationships that must exist between government, academics, decision-makers in the health sector and researchers.
The students not only observed but made a significant contribution using their voices.
To view the full photo gallery and to read letters from nursing students in attendance, please click the link below.
LETTERS FROM STUDENTS
Student: Whitney Rutten
The 70th anniversary was a great chance for us as nursing students to use our voice to speak about our experiences and talk about the future of health care and nursing as we see it.
I had the opportunity to senior assist this summer in my home community in rural Saskatchewan. It was an opportunity that opened my eyes to the realities of health care in our province. I saw that rural areas are lacking in the resources to provide universal and accessible health care to all of its' people. This is creating a push for elderly to move into larger centers to seek care. When sites in Regina and Saskatoon cannot facilitate our entire province either. As a rural girl at heart this lit a fire inside me to let my classmates know about my experiences working with intelligent experienced nurses and the need for more nurses to take initiative to work in rural communities.
As a nursing student we are taught over four years the great need to advocate. Our generation of nurses are graduating with vast amounts of knowledge and are being empowered to make change and use our voice. Speaking with Premier Wall I did just that. I spoke to him about the need for more accessible, universal health care for Saskatchewan residents in the form of better trauma response teams in rural areas
Such as air ambulance and tele-conferencing between patients and specialists, as some example.
My fellow students and I also addressed the need for more students to be placed in rural practicums so they have exposure to the rural communities and their needs. Premier Wall was very receptive to what we had to say and offered several of his own opinions regarding health care.
We as fourth year nursing students walked away that night with a great sense of pride and excitement.
I am going back to rural Saskatchewan as an RN to provide quality care to my family, friends, and my community. It is my way of giving back.
It is a great feeling to be able to use my voice to advocate for the people I care about, as a student and soon to be registered nurse.
Student: Kristen Bulych
First off, that was an amazing evening. I considered it to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I am so grateful I could be apart of the 70th Anniversary event.
Speaking to Mr.Wall about the nursing program, I was pleased that he was attentive about our concerns. The concern that I brought up was the deficit in clinical placements across Saskatchewan. I believe you said 120 new nursing seats will need placements.
I continued to say that issue is not as concerning as the issue regarding nursing students going into the "non-traditional" placements, such as elementary schools, and getting removed from the classrooms because the teachers, and half of the students, do not understand why nursing students are in the schools for placements. I actually loved my clinical setting and actually used my voice to correct this matter in the clinical setting, because I believe in conflict-resolution. However, for my peers this heightens the fear and anger toward the program and clinical setting.
I appreciated that Mr.Wall was receptive to our concern. He actually asked as a government what can be done to help with this? At that time, our conversation became interrupted but my response is that by initiating an incentive to experienced nurses, across Saskatchewan to make this (an additional) duty and to take on nursing students. I don't know if it would be initiated but it is an idea.
I understand that the College of Nursing is trying to get a site for clinical placements started outside the traditional placement areas. I think this will help to give nursing students an opportunity to maximize their clinical experience.
PHOTO GALLERY
70th Anniversary Celebrations
Hosted by the Lieutenant Governor
Dr. Gorden Barnhart & Mrs Barnhart
At Government House
Using Our Voices - Nursing Students Dialogue with the Premier and Cabinet Ministers
(click images to enlarge)
Students Meet the Premier
Faculty Meet the Premier
Minister of Heath learns about Nursing Programs
Minister of Advanced Education, Employment & Labour addresses the audience
The Formal Proceedings
Lieutenant Governor Greets the Audience
Promoting the Work of the College
Promoting the Work of the College
Congratulating Bev McBeth, NAPN Advisor Regina Site, for organizing the event.
