Curriculum Day 2014
June 5th saw the nursing faculty gather together for the Curriculum and Quality Assurance Committee’s annual Curriculum Day. This event provides an opportunity for clinical and theory instructors to come together to examine the BN curriculum from a big picture perspective. Brainstorming breakout sessions were designed to discuss curriculum themes and the goodness of fit between courses, across terms and throughout the years. This opportunity to share thoughts and ideas allows faculty to look for overlaps, possible gaps and ways to enhance student learning and flow of the overall curriculum. Faculty also used their pizza lunch as a fund raising opportunity for the Nursing Legacy Fund, which supports Nursing students research and scholarship endeavors. Dianne Brown, Chair of the Curriculum Committee presents Lois Tessier, Awards Committee Chair with a cheque for $222.00.
Thank you to the Nursing faculty for sharing your curriculum ideas, your enthusiasm was phenomenal.

Opening speech by Mae Louise, Elder-in residence, RRC


Curriculum Coordinator Dianne Brown is shown here, giving a contribution to the Lois Tessier, member of the Awards committee, for the Nursing Legacy fund, on behalf of the Department of Nursing at RRC. The Department of Nursing had their annual Curiculum Day event, and the proceeds from their lunch go towards this student’s bursary opportunity

It was another year of fun, excitement, laughs and a few victories for nursing team CODE BLUE at the annual RRC slow-pitch tournament. We had a good turnout and everyone put their best foot forward. Our team ranged in experience, but that didn’t stop our determination to get as many runs in as we could. We couldn’t have done it without the support from our cheerleaders as they encouraged us every step (or should I say, run) of the way. There were no injuries sustained, which make us even stronger for next year as we start to practice as soon as summer break starts…anyone? It was a great day of food,drinks and friends. Thank you to all of you who came out to partake in the excitement.

A great morning was spent with the various Health Science departments of the Red River College, hearing what an amazing difference they are making to our community with their Innovative Research Projects.
The presentations included:
- The College Wide Learning Outcomes evaluation tool that is being developed.
- How Child and Youth Care pracitioners are helping youth’s voices to be heard.
- How the Pharmaceutical manufacturing program’s purification of Canine Serum Albumin project provides students with essential workplace experience and assists the canine population.
- How through the partnerships of Healthy Child Manitoba, and RRC’s Early Childhood Educations Dept, differences are being made with children and families here in Winnipeg through language development in early years.
- An exploration of key ingredients essential for bridging education.
- How opportunities are expanding for international students and Bridging Programs with Shanghai, China.
It is great to see so many showing their compassion through their research and findings!
Keep Up The Great Work!!



Nursing Week was celebrated at Red River College on May 12-16th. Nursing students and instructors collaborated to put on a number of informative displays related to the field of nursing in the main hallway outside the library. A pizza lunch was also held with funds raised going back to the student in the form of a scholarship fund. There was an overwhelming turnout and a big thank you to all who participated to make this annual event a huge success.

RRC Nursing Faculty Members Kim Fraser and Nancy Ball demonstrate the Virtual Nursing community Project to RRC President Stephanie Forsyth during the Nursing Week events, May 16th, 2014.
Journey North is an interactive tour of a Health Canada nursing station located on Bloodvein First Nation in northern Manitoba. Click here for more info: http://blogs.rrc.ca/etv/wp-content/uploads/jnpreview/home.html

Nursing Faculty, Bonnie Peers, and Tara Roberts display their poster presentation highlighting features of the Rural BN program at the Red River College

Jennifer Johnson, Nursing Lab Manager. Display some of the equipment used in the Nursing techniques lab.

Nursing Students put on a Pizza Fundraiser on May 16th, in the library Hallway. Proceeds will go towards a Student Council Scholarship fund

Nursing Students speak out for Social justice. Photo Essay assignment.

Nursing Students put on a Pizza Fundraiser on May 16th, in the library Hallway. Proceeds will go towards a Student Council Scholarship fund
Today! Feed your body and mind!
Come by the Library hallway from 12:00 to 1:00 TODAY (Monday May 12th and Friday May 16th) for a pizza lunch and poster display as we celebrate National Nursing Week.
See what it is nursing faculty and students do in the preparation of knowledgeable, competent and caring health professionals!
Come check out the booths, information, and displays reflecting the positive impacts nurses make on the lives and well-being of Canadians.
Scholarly writing is a crucial component in the advancement of scholarship in the nursing profession. The grading process for scholarly papers can be one of the most time consuming roles of nursing instruction, creating a wide range of frustrations and rewards. In assigning scholarly papers, students are asked to juggle multiple domains of learning at various levels of thinking: research skills, interpretation and understanding of facts and knowledge, analysis and synthesis, writing competence, creativity, acknowledgement of sources, and correct application of a style guide such as APA format. The role of grader demands an instructor then places a value on the students’ implementation of these multifaceted skills in the form of a percentage and/or letter grade, and provide narrative feedback to promote further development of the student’s writing skills. Receiving this feedback can be an emotional experience for the student.
This presentation was shared among Nursing educators from all over Western Canada at the WNRCASN conference, held at the Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg MB on Feb 19-21st, 2014. It was hosted by Red River College, Nursing Department.
The demonstration utilized examples from student work to illustrate the quickest method of evaluating student writing and providing meaningful, concise feedback.
A Presentation from WNRCASN
By Kim Mitchell RN MN
Nursing Instructor
Welcome to Journey North
In collaboration with eTV and Health Canada, members of River College Faculty of Nursing produced Journey North: A Virtual Nursing Experience. Journey North is an interactive tour of a Health Canada nursing station located on Bloodvein First Nation in northern Manitoba. The project, initially supported by a Program Innovation Fund (PIF) authored by Nancy Ball and Kim Fraser, was developed “to create a virtual community that will invite the millennial nursing student to explore, discover and understand the role of a Community Health Nurse in a remote/rural health care setting that is not geographically available to students in the RRC Nursing program” (PIF application, 2012/2013).
The Faculty of Nursing, eTV and Health Canada are all excited for the potential of this project as well as future endeavors and partnerships in interactive learning environments. Please click on the image below to view the project.
Note: The following is a preview version of Journey North, limited to a guided tour of the nursing station as well as the ability to explore the exam room, the community room, and the culture section of the community map. To request a full viewing, please contact us under ‘Share Your Thoughts’ below.
Click image to open Journey North:

Please join us for Nursing Week Celebrations in the Library Hallway 
Monday May 12th and Friday May 16th from 12:00 to 1:00
for a Pizza Fundraiser Lunch and displays
as we celebrate National Nursing Week
plus 
Lunch Hour Friday May 2nd
Students and faculty are invited to come practice your painting/art skills! Please stop by from 12:00-1:00 Friday, May 2nd in the library hallway to help paint 3 or 4 Large Banners and sandwich boards to put up across doorways in Mall level halls and to distribute around the campus.





Karen Wall, the Chair of the Nursing Department, is set to retire at the end of the month. A college-wide retirement reception was held in her honour on April 4th with many past and present co-workers, friends and family in attendance. Colleagues from near and far were in attendance from the WRHA, University of Manitoba, St. Boniface University, The Advisory Committee, CRNM, and David Gregory, the past Dean of the Nursing Department at the University of Manitoba. Karen has led the nursing department at Red River College for over 15 years, although she has been a part of the department for over 35 years. She will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with and for Karen, as she demonstrated grace, compassion and professionalism in her role as the head of the nursing department. Karen will leave a legacy in her departure, including seeing the first-ever Nursing Degree class graduate from Red River College this past year.
Everyone at the college wishes Karen a wonderful retirement, including taking much deserved time for herself and pursuing personal opportunities. Enjoy Karen! You will be missed.
( Pictures by Leslie Walsh)