Things Nursing Students Should Probably Know Before Returning to Class

There seems to be a lot of information flying out of York about what will be excepted when we return to class. I have tried to post the most important bits.

My comments are in dark blue.

Here are the sources if you want to go over them in full detail:

• Senate website
• Registrar’s Office

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Updated Fall Schedule

• Fall Classes Resume: Feb. 2
• Fall Classes End: Feb. 19
• Fall Exams Start: Feb. 20
• Fall Exams End: Mar. 3

source

Updated Winter Schedule

• Winter Classes Start: Mar. 4
• Winter Classes End: May. 21
• Winter Exams Start: May. 22
• Winter Exams End: June 2

source

Summer Schedule

• Since many of us will be starting out final practicum it’s really good to know that summer term starts June 8 (source).

Tests and Assignments

• tests and exams for all courses (including internet and correspondence) will not be scheduled in the
  first five calendar days following the resumption of classes
• tests and exams for all courses (including internet and correspondence) will not be scheduled until at
  least one class “meet” with course directors has been held
• assignments that were due on dates during the disruption need not be submitted until at least one
  class meeting has been held (source).

Last Day to Submit Term Work

Faculties establish their own dates for the submission of term work, typically on the last day of classes (I am assuming this is with no academic penalty).

Notwithstanding this practice, and for the Fall term 2008 only, Senate Executive advises that faculty
members may permit students to submit assignments up to the last day of examinations (source).

Changing the Number, Nature and Weight of Assignments

Senate Executive confirms that instructors may make changes to the number, kind and weight of
assignments when classes resume.

This adjustment may include changes that would impact on work already submitted and graded.

However, whenever possible students will have the choice of completing the assignments as set out in the
originally published grading scheme (source).

Remaining Classes Meets In The Fall Term

These are a little tricky. I would suggest visiting here as they lay out how classes will land.

I count a total of 13 days of classes (a little under 3 weeks). The site also nicely lays out the winter term.

More Men in Nursing

CBC.ca reported today that “with the shortage of nurses in Canada projected to grow worse, more needs to be done to attract men into nursing, an expert has told the Canadian Nursing Students Association conference in Charlottetown.”

The CBC article estimates that 95 per cent of nurses in Canada are women. I estimate male students make up a little less than 10 per cent of my cohort at York.

I am still astounded why there aren’t more men interested in such a truly rewarding profession. Among many benefits, the personal rewards of giving care and helping others rate the highest for me. Then there are the many attractive and challenging career paths as well as good salary levels.

I am in my final year and can count only one incident when my gender, in relation to care, was questioned. I have a wealth of experiences where it simply wasn’t a factor.

I remember a discussion in one of my classes recently where the topic of gender came up. A fellow student made a good point. Why, she said, do people say male nurse when they would never normally say female or male doctor? We came to the conclusion that the profession should be sexless, with men and women working in care of their patient without gender bias or labeling.

But what is it that continues to stall men entering the profession? I am still at a loss for an answer.

Thoughts on the York Strike and Web 2.0

When the Bill 145 ending the York University Strike finally passed, I took a nap. I hadn’t realized how intensely I had been watching the process. The ups the downs were exhausting; an emotional intensity from not knowing what the future would hold, and if we would ever get back to school.

Following the strike over the past 12 weeks has also been a learning experience. I received a good dose of politics, politicking, propaganda, rhetoric and saber rattling. Clearly more than I ever wanted.

One intriguing thing that emerged out of the strike were the many online discussion groups and blogs that popped up all over the place. Some, for example, were used to rally support others were used to disseminate information still others were used to voice an opinion.

Never before, in university politics, has such a thing occurred to such a large extent. Students normally apathetic over politics, were engaged daily, discussing and analyzing, sharing fears and expressing frustrations. Some students I talked to had even decided to take a minor in political science when they return to school.

I keep wondering if we are seeing the future here. Someone out there in cyberspace posted recently that maybe we are finally seeing the dawn “Web 2.0″ referencing the internet’s use to enhance human interconnectivity.

Truly, any politician or political group worth their salt should take note: the future may well be in Facebook.

York’s Counselling & Development Centre Offering Post Strike Drop-In Sessions and Stress Busting Group Sessions

• Feeling anxious about starting school after the strike and getting back into the swing of things?
• Having difficulty motivating yourself getting back into classes and completing assignments?

…then York’s counselling & development centre can help.

Post Strike Individual Drop-In Sessions

Come to a space where you can process your feelings, thoughts, and concerns in a safe environment. Learn some coping strategies as you face fresh challenges.

The Counselling and Development Centre invites students with unresolved personal issues related to the recent strike to attend drop-in individual sessions to talk to a counsellor for about 20 minutes during the following times. No appointment necessary. You will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Feb. 2 – Feb. 27, 2009:

Mondays from 1 – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesdays from 11a.m. – noon
Thursdays from 2 – 3:00 p.m.
Fridays from 11a.m. – noon

Post Strike Stress-Busting Tune-Up Groups

Come to a space where you can process your feelings, thoughts, and concerns with other undergraduate students in a safe environment. Learn some coping strategies as you face fresh challenges.

The Counselling and Development Centre is offering groups to help you get back on track. No registration needed. Please pick the time below that best suits you and come to N110 Bennett Centre at the time that you have chosen. Facilitated by staff.

Feb. 3 – Feb. 27, 2009:

Tuesdays from 1-2:30 p.m. in N204B
Wednesdays from 10:30-noon in N102
Thursdays from 11a.m. – noon in N204B
Fridays from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in N204B

Contact:

counselling & development centre

N110 Bennett Centre • 416-736-5297

www.yorku.ca/cdc

Nursing Careers: Becoming a Forensic Nurse in Canada

Nursing Careers is an ongoing series that explores different career paths available to student RNs.

What is a Forensic Nurse?

When I read the word forensic, I immediately conjure up images of CSI, dead bodies and crime scenes. In reality, forensics involves application of a wide range of sciences to answer legal questions.

A forensic nurse uses his or her specialized clinical and scientific knowledge to preserve, collect and document forensic evidence. The nurse also focuses care on individuals with unique health care needs within this context of violence, trauma, crime or disaster.

This specialized nursing class work in areas such as sexual assault or domestic violence. They may find themselves examining a victim of violence and/or training other nurses to treat patients involved in legal and/or violent situations. A forensic nurse may also consult with other medical or legal experts and agencies or provide expert court testimony in areas dealing with, for example, trauma investigations, questioned death and/or adequacy of health care services.

Education

To become a forensic nurse in Canada you need your RN degree. In addition, there are many specialty certificate programs and master’s programs in forensic health studies. I have listed a few below from Canada:

Certificates:

• Forensic Studies Courses and Certificate Program, Mount Royal College, Calgary Alberta Canada
  
• Forensic Health Studies Certificate Program, Seneca College, King City, Ontario
  
• BCIT Forensic Health Studies (ASC-FHS) certificate
• Forensic Nursing Certificate, George Brown College, Toronto, Ontari

Master’s Programs:

• Master of Nursing with Forensic Specialty, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan

Sources and Links:

• Forensic Nurses’ Society of Canada
• Forensic Education Website
• International Association of Forensic Nurses
• Forensic Nursing Chronicles Blog
  

Premier Recalls Legislature to Pass Back-to-work Legislation

Today, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced that he would recall legislature Sunday to bring in back-to-work legislation. This will lead to a process of mediation and binding arbitration (source).

I hoped, as many did, for a negotiated settlement, but it is clear to me that everything was tried to make this happen. Indeed, there are many students who must return to school as soon as possible. Second entry nursing students, for example, feared any further delay would have greatly impacted their program.

I am looking forward to seeing my classmates and teachers, hopefully as soon as next week!

Second Entry Summer Term

I just had encouraging conversations and emails from the second entry faculty.

The university’s comment about the summer program does not specifically consider specialized programs that run all year.

“We are confident as anyone can be in these circumstances that summer classes for 2nd degree will run as scheduled and class will be complete and ready to write the exams in October. And of course, convocate in the fall,” said a faculty representative.

Negotiations Continue Today, Jan 22 With New Government Mediator

CUPE 3903 will meet with the York University negotiating team and the new goverment mediator, Reg Pearson, at the Hilton Garden Inn today Thursday, Jan. 22, states the CUPE 3903 web site (source).

Meanwhile, Mamdouh Shoukri, York’s President and Vice-Chancellor welcomed the new goverment initiative.

The pressure is on, however, for the two sides to come to agreement. Premier McGuinty has suggested that Pearson’s assignment would be time-limited “to explore the possibilities of bringing the sides together” (source).

Nursing second entry students continue to be concerned about the possible loss of the summer term, an integral part of their compressed program at York. Loss of the term would impact both the first and second year nursing students who rely on summer courses to complete their program on time.

Ontario Government to Send Top Mediator while Nursing Students Worry About their Future

The Canadian Press reports today that Premier Dalton McGuinty will send in his top mediator to “bang some heads together” and hopefully end the strike at York University. McGuinty would not set a deadline for the two sides to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, York may have to reduce or eliminate the summer term. This could directly impact many nursing students in their final year at York who must complete the summer term in order to write their RN exams by October.

Sources:

The Canadian Press
York Media Relations

CUPE 3903 Rejects York’s Offer

Sources:

• York University Media Relations
• The National Post

TORONTO, January 20, 2009:

The results of the vote on the University’s offer are as follows:

• Unit 1 (teaching assistants) 62% opposed
• Unit 2 (contract faculty) 59% opposed
• Unit 3 (graduate assistants) 70% opposed

A total of 1,466 members of Canadian Union of Public Employees 3903, which represents teaching assistants, graduate assistants and contract faculty, voted no to the university’s offer — a margin of 63%. All three units rejected the deal.

“We made it clear before the vote that we were making a fair, reasonable and comprehensive offer to settle the contract, especially in this worsening economic climate,” said York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “The Union characterized our offer to its members as a negotiating tactic, but it was not. We have no intention of negotiating for the sake of appearance. This is our offer for settlement. Now it is up to the Union and its members to reconsider their demands and step back from the brink.”

Shoukri said the parties are at an impasse and the summer term is in jeopardy.

“We know this is extremely hard on our students. At the same time we simply cannot sacrifice the University’s long-term academic future, or its financial stability, for short-term goals. Nor are we prepared to subject our students to another strike in 2010.”

After six months of negotiations and eleven weeks on strike, CUPE 3903, representing contract faculty, graduate assistants, and teaching assistants, continues to seek increases totalling 15.8% over two years (7.9% per year). This is more than double the University’s total offer of 10.7% over three years (3.6% per year).

The Union is also demanding that the University convert contract faculty to full-time academic positions based only on seniority, without review and without evaluation of their academic and research capabilities.

To date the University has not received any comprehensive offer from the Union to settle the strike. When negotiations ended January 9, the Union still had more than 75 separate demands on the table.

“The clock has run out on CUPE,” Shoukri said. “I will be working with the deans and Senate Executive to prepare plans to further extend the academic calendar to ensure that students complete their fall and winter terms. This will mean reducing or, if need be, cancelling the summer term.”

“There will be no negotiations for the sake of appearances,” Dr. Shoukri said. “CUPE members who believed a no vote would cause York University to bow to their demands are mistaken.”