Making A Difference
Real Stories About Differences Students and
Faculty are Making in the Lives of Our Community
Cancer Fundraising Relay for Life
On June 11-12, 2010 five nursing faculty spent Friday 7 p.m. to Saturday 7 a.m. walking the track at CrossRoads Church for the Cancer Fundraising Relay for Life. The photo is proof that Angela Gauthier, Joan Brozer, Sara Daniels, Sylwia Andersen (and her daughter at least for the photo-op) and Alma Funk represented the Red Deer College Nursing Faculty. Our participation was in response to a challenge we received in April from the Nursing Student Society to match them with raising $10,000.
What a production this event was! We had no idea!
There must have been about 100 survivors who led the parade at 7 p.m., bright in their yellow T-shirts behind an RCMP officer in full red serge uniform and a bagpipe "band". And there must have been over 100 volunteers in orange or blue T-shirts doing every sort of thing. There were 76 teams, 760 participants in white T-shirts, who raised over $280,000.
Our team's total was over $4,600, mostly raised from individual donations, but also a silent auction at a nursing faculty function.
The Nursing Student Society had 14 participants and they had raised almost $8000 - they got the bronze medal, and one of them got the award for the largest single contributor!! Kudos to them.
But NEXT YEAR!! Since this was our first participation in this event, we plan to have a better showing next year!
Adventures in Gerontology
This summer I experienced the beginning of a new adventure into gerontological nursing. My initial interest in gerontology started when I worked as a personal care aide in a continuing care facility in Red Deer in 2007. It was here that I discovered the joy of interacting with the older adult and decided to pursue a career in nursing. I was accepted into Red Deer College Baccalaureate Nursing Program in 2008. The nursing educational philosophy is centered on context based learning that encourages self direction, group process, and critical thinking. My first year in nursing has equipped me with confidence to pursue further knowledge in gerontology and the courage to apply what I have already learned.
As a first year student I was invited to attend the AGNA central chapter meetings in Red Deer and I became a member of this local group. I also had the opportunity to join the open certification study sessions through Telehealth. It was through these sessions that I developed very beneficial networks with members of AGNA and the professionals within the Specialized Geriatric Services (SGS) at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.
Since May I have volunteered with the SGS and the Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) team and I have encountered great mentors and support for my declared interest in gerontology. It has been an exciting and a new experience to observe and participate in thorough assessments related to both physical and cognitive health of the elderly.
My summer adventure has given me enhanced knowledge, deeper interest, and excitement for my future career opportunities in gerontology. I look forward to my second year in nursing and adventures yet to come.
Sincerely submitted,
Susan Theriault, student nurse
Red Deer College
First Year Baccalaureate Nursing Students: Making Links Gives Sight to a Client
Two students invited clients of a local community agency to participate in a basic vision screening assessment. During the assessment, they discovered that one client had particularly poor eyesight. They encouraged her to make an appointment with an optometrist or opthamologist, but the client explained that she couldn't afford it as her family had no extended medical benefits nor sufficient income to purchase eyeglasses. The students decided that they would search for a charity that would assist this client. As a result, the client was tested at no cost to her. During the eye examination, it was discovered that this client was also at high risk for a retinal separation. Thus not only did this client receive eyeglasses, but a potentially serious problem was found and treated - in large part due to the skills and persistence of first year nursing students in the RDC Nursing Department.
First Year Baccalaureate Nursing Students: Putting Health Back Into the Hands of Seniors
Seniors are encouraged to look after themselves, yet many of them do not have the resources to monitor their health other than going to a doctor's clinic. During a clinical placement in a seniors' residence, the students found that many residents were concerned about their blood pressure. Rather than limiting their intervention to offering a blood pressure clinic during their placement at the residence, these students decided to try and help the seniors help themselves. They approached a local medical supplies business and outlined their plan for the seniors. As a result, the business donated a blood pressure cuff that then allowed the seniors to monitor their own blood pressure.