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Bloomberg Nursing students hold annual CNSA conference
The Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto hosted the regional Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) 2011 Ontario Regional Conference October 21st – 23rd, 2011. This was made possible by our nursing students’ regional planning committee, who were successful in their bid to bring the event to U of T.
The annual conference brings together hundreds of students from nursing faculties across the province, providing an opportunity to visit local facilities, network and explore a variety of professional opportunities. This year’s theme was “Leadership in Nursing.” The event was designed to highlight the potential and capacity of future nurses by inspiring and motivating students to strive for excellence, pursue their passions, and contribute to the field of nursing through policy research, education and clinical practice. In addition, a career fair was organized that offered potential employers a unique opportunity to socialize with prospective candidates and future nurse leaders.
“This event was an excellent opportunity to interact with and attract motivated students from nursing faculties across Ontario who share my own passion for the profession,” says Bridget Doan, Bloomberg Nursing BScN student and sponsorship co-chair. “The conference was such an outstanding success, I couldn’t be more proud of our team’s efforts. And in addition to networking with, learning from and encouraging our colleagues, we also supported our chosen charity, Ronald McDonald House Toronto.”
Students had the opportunity to hear from some of the field’s most influential leaders, including keynote speakers Dr. Sean Clarke, Bloomberg Nursing associate professor and RBC Chair in Cardiovascular Nursing Research, and Mary Jo Haddad, president and CEO at the Hospital for Sick Children. Also in attendance were Provincial Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Secretariat Debra Bournes; and Vicki McKenna and Andy Summers, first vice-president and vice-president, region three (respectively) of sole diamond sponsor, the Ontario Nurses’ Association.
In addition, informative workshops and hospital tours gave students a first-hand glimpse into both the realities and significance of the nursing role. Participants learned about their power to facilitate positive change; and to influence the lives of patients and society at large through policy, administration, research and clinical practice.
The CNSA is the national voice of Canadian nursing students with nearly 25,000 members. For more than 40 years, CNSA has represented the interests of nursing students to federal, provincial and international governments, as well as other nursing and health care organizations. Their goal is to increase the legal, ethical, professional and educational aspects that are an integral part of nursing. The organization is actively dedicated to the positive promotion of nurses and the nursing profession as a whole.
Members of the regional planning committee: Lara Schiller & Margaret Saari, regional conference directors; Nicole Harada, marketing chair; Zamin Ladha, charity auction chair; Michelle Jones and Bridget Doan, sponsorship co-chairs; Rita Wong and Stacey Vernon, registration co-chairs; Erin Telegdi and Mandy Man, career fair co-chairs; Kate Mills, hospitality chair; Shannon Keast, marketing & design chair; and Sarah Gardhouse, social events chair.Posted October 27, 2011
