#lunsa

oh but it is

lunsa:

it is

Hi everyone! I am the Vice-president of the Laurentian University Nursing Students Association (LUNSA). This January, I represented LUNSA and the university as an associate delegate for the Canadian Nursing Students Association. Initially, I did not know quite what to expect, but I definitely had an amazing experience. Our days were booked, and we were rushed from meeting to meeting, speaker to speaker, and workshop to workshop. We acquired wealth of knowledge, which we certainly would not have obtained in the class room setting.

We were surrounding by numerous members of the health care system, from fellow students, educators, administrators, and front line nurses, to health policy and research consultants like Steven Lewis. We were able to critically analyse and examine the social, political, and cultural challenges that our health care system and world are facing. This was a fantastic learning experience. To be united with others of similar interest, who shared our love for nursing and student advocacy was incredibly empowering. It was nice to be together as the voice of nursing students, speaking out about public issues that concern all students in one way or another. It was also nice to see how supported we were, with all the other nurses around present to equip us with the tools necessary for our success.

As we all know by now, empowerment is a process. It doesn’t just happen. After taking a 40 hour greyhound bus ride just to get to Saskatoon, I definitely wasn’t shouting out about how empowered I was! But from session to session, the energy of our group was contagious, and by the end of the conference, I truly felt as though my voice mattered, and that I was capable to making a difference. That feeling was phenomenal!

The theme of the conference was overcoming challenges and harmonizing our voices. I do not feel that this theme could have had better timing. It reflects just about everything that we nursing students are and do. Not just at conferences, across the country or across the world. Even in our school, standing up for issues that we have at heart, such as our education and inappropriate teaching methods. As a strong and united group, we can make a difference. Now is not the time to hold back. There is no reason to hold back, because together, we are powerful. 

Overcoming challenges is not easy. It is so much more convenient to make up excuses. I don’t have time. How often do we find ourselves saying that we don’t have time? “I am swamped.” “I spend way too much time in class.” “Clinical is overwhelming.” “I volunteer all the time.” “I have too much homework.” “I have a job.” “I need a life, too!” “I just can’t do it all!” You know what? It is so easy to complain, but when it comes to change, it takes sacrifice, and time must be made. Think of people who have taken leadership roles in your life. Not only exemplary students in our class standing up for difficult issues, but even in your personal life. If they had not take some of their precious time to make a difference, who knows what your life would be like now? Let me tell you, there will never be time. You have to make the time if it is really important to you. Do not be afraid to make sacrifices. Your hard work and efforts will eventually be rewarded.

Nursing is an ever changing profession. It is complex and challenging. It is like this now, and it will continue in this manner until the very end. But we are the nurses of tomorrow. We will be responsible for providing comprehensive and quality health care. We must be actively engaged in issues that truly matter. That involves everything from patient centred care and improving patient outcomes, to the politics of the nursing profession!

Speaking of politics, so often it is the very last thing we would like to get involved in. But do not underestimate its importance! You will soon be a nurse. You will soon be the backbone of the health care system. You will spend more time with patients, be they in the hospital or in the community, than any other health care provider. Why is it that when doctors have a concern, it always makes the front page of any news paper; whereas nurses may have a concern, but it is tucked under the rug. As a nurse, you know what the patients want and need. You know what is in their best interest, and your job is to be their advocate. Trust in yourself — your vision may be better for the public than that of any other health care profession. The nursing voice needs to be prominent in the health care system. We are nursing students. We are the future of the nursing profession, so you better believe that nursing politics will have to involve us in some way or another. Why not be an active participant? 

We have a vision. We have ideas. We want the world to be a better place. We want the health care system to be effective and to have quality. We need progress, and we need it STAT. In order to make changes, we cannot be passive. We cannot refuse to be engaged. Don’t be scared! Bring on your energy and your positive attitude. There are vulnerable people who you need to serve. And they need to be served right, right now! You will never be just a nurse. NEVER. Stand up, rise to the plate, and your professional life will be so much more rewarding. Perhaps historically gender was an issue. SO WHAT? We can still make a different. We must be confident as political actors. We must not be scared to shake things up. Raise your voice. State your reasons. Tell them WHY your standpoint is important. You know that’s what Lissa would do.