Nineteen College of Nursing students, including nine from the University College of the North partnership in The Pas and Thompson, attended the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) national conference in Edmonton from January 17 – 24.
The conference brings together nursing students from across Canada to advance their nursing knowledge and leadership skills by participating in various educational speaker sessions and interactive workshops. This year’s theme was “Nursing Without Limits: Exploring the Endless Opportunities.”
The event was the first in-person CNSA national conference since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first day included a welcome mixer where students from across the country were able to meet. That was followed by two days of panels, presentations and workshops. A national assembly was held on the final day, at which students discussed the future goals of the CNSA and elected the 2024 board of directors.
Fourth-year students Miyansh Jhamb and Sofreen Sandhu were both elected from UM.
Jhamb said the event was very informative and engaging. Among the highlights, he said, were presentations from Dr. Kim McMillan, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Ottawa, and Dr. Leigh Chapman, chief nursing officer of Canada.
“There were a number of really good workshops. We were able to attend most of the workshops, and had an option to choose among various options, and the ones I went to were really good,” he said.
Topics ranged from transitioning from student to the workforce, environmental changes in health care and naloxone training.
Jhamb said it was also interesting learning about the CNSA’s advocacy role and scholarships that are available. The group provides scholarships for nursing students across Canada at the baccalaureate level to BN and LPN programs, ranging from $750 to $1,000.
“I liked seeing all the leadership and students bringing different perspectives from all over Canada,” Jhamb said.