September 2024

BSN Program Newsletter – September 2024

Announcements,

Hello UBC BSN Community,

Our Fall term is off to an exciting – if a bit bumpy – start. I’m reaching out to share a few updates and reminders as we move further into the term.

First, I’d like to provide some context for the start of term. This Fall, our program is navigating the late-Summer transition of several online platforms that are central to our operations. These include the UBC-wide transition to Workday Student, introduction of Pebblepad for clinical practice courses, and the province’s launch of a new online platform for processing Criminal Record Checks.

Some of these platforms – while ultimately designed to be more efficient and helpful – have run into delays or roadblocks in their rollout, meaning our human team is often at the mercy of technology that is beyond our control.

Our overarching goal as a team is to deliver a high-quality educational experience that prepares students to be confident, competent, and compassionate nurses. Each member of the BSN team – from instructors and administrators to the hardworking staff of the Student Services Office and the Clinical Practice Placement Unit – is doing their best to adapt to these changes. We’re all available to answer questions and provide support as needed – see the BSN Lines of Communication Guide for more information.

There have been challenges as we navigate these transitions, but we’re optimistic that the benefits of the new systems will provide greater efficiency and smoother processes as we move forward.

Updates:

Reminders:

  •  Please remember to use your UBC student email for all program-related communication.
  •  Please also remember to use professional communication strategies when connecting with our team members and our practice partners. For tips on professional communication, see this helpful guide from UBC Student Services: https://students.ubc.ca/ubclife/inbox-1-email-profs-effectively

Happening on Campus:

* Sept 26, 2024: Untelling Nursing History: Centering the Voices of IBPOC Nurses: https://nursing.ubc.ca/community/events/2024/untelling-nursing-history-centering-voices-of-ibpoc-nurses

* Sept 30, 2024: UBC Applied Science 2024 Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day: https://apsc.ubc.ca/event/2024/2024-intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day

* Oct 3, 2024: 2024 Marion Woodward Lecture with Dr. Leigh Chapman, Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer: https://nursing.ubc.ca/community/events/2024/2024-marion-woodward-lecture

As I said at Orientation, we are truly thrilled that each and every student has chosen nursing, and we look forward to the term ahead!

Sincerely,
Elisabeth

Elisabeth Bailey, DNP, RN, RCC
Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs

UBC SARC: October 2024 Dialogue Series Poster

Announcements,

Dear School of Nursing Students,

The School of Nursing Student Anti-Racism Caucus (SARC) would like to extend our warm invitation to students in the School of Nursing to join our committee. Our group holds monthly meetings, collaborates with the faculty Anti-Racism Committee (ARC), and aims to engage in dialogue and knowledge sharing to promote anti-racism in the School and in healthcare.

Please join us at our next SARC meeting on October 1, 2024 where we will be hosting a dialogue series event. This is a student co-learning event and we encourage students to openly exchange ideas, engage in stimulating conversations, and reflect on the pervasive issues of racial and oppressive discourses within nursing and healthcare. Our primary goal is to establish a culturally safe and inclusive environment where nursing students can express their insights regarding the readings, their lived experience, and its relevance to practice.

This is an open meeting for students in the School of Nursing. We encourage any interested students to join us. RSVP is not required, but recommended. Please use the following link to express interest in joining SARC or contact us at student.ARC@nursing.ubc.ca: https://linktr.ee/ubcsarc

Event Details:

Hosted by School of Nursing Student Anti-Racism Caucus (SARC)

Speaker: Bukola Mary Ibitoye

Date: October 1, 2024

Time: 6-7pm

Platform: Zoom Meeting: https://linktr.ee/ubcsarc

Who’s invited?: Students across all School of Nursing programs.

Thank you!

Siobhan McMillan on Behalf of the UBC SoN Student Anti-Racism Caucus

Untelling Nursing History: Centering the Voices of IBPOC Nurses

Announcements

Upcoming Event

THURSDAY, 5-7 PM, ASIAN CENTRE AUDITORIUM, 1871 West Mall

Please join us in celebrating the launch of our Digital Mural Project, Untelling Nursing History: Centering the Voices of IBPOC Nurses, funded by the UBC Nursing Anti-Racism Committee. We have created an interactive website with 11 embedded videos that showcase the histories of BIPOC nurses. More than 40 people from within and outside our community have contributed their voices and time to this project. We will take the audience on a journey through the website and play one of the stories, and also briefly discuss the process we went through as a group in creating this website & anti-racism intervention. We will also provide time for the audience to ask questions or share their thoughts about the project. Snacks and drinks provided!

Hosted by: Dr. Lydia Wytenbroek, Kyra Philbert, Shams Al-Anzi, Cates Bayabay, Ismalia De Sousa, Atussa Shabahang, Kerry Marshall

Year 4 BSN Fall Awards – Applications Due Sept. 23, 2024, by 11:59pm PST

Announcements,

Dear Year 4 BSN Students,

The BSN Program is accepting applications for a number of University Awards for Year 4 BSN students.

These are merit-based University Awards provided to students at the recommendation of the School of Nursing / BSN Program, and the following conditions apply:

  • They are governed by University Awards campus wide policy, as outlined in the UBC Awards Calendar.
  • Undergraduate student awards based on academic merit will be given to a student who has a cumulative average of 75% or higher (full time course load with no failed courses).
  • Only 4th year BSN students are eligible for these awards (Currently in Term 4 – September / 2024W)
  • In addition to academic merit, these awards recognize volunteerism, community and/or family service, leadership, student affairs, extracurricular activities, and a commitment to the nursing profession or community, and the need for financial assistance.

To be considered for these awards please complete the BSN Awards Competition Application (Link to Application) by 11:59pm PST on September 23, 2024.

If you have any questions, please email awards@nursing.ubc.ca

Update to Policies in the BSN Program – Fall 2024

Announcements,

As the new school year gets underway, we are sharing a few updates to BSN Program Policies.

Please note that the following policies have been discontinued by the UBC School of Nursing Faculty Caucus: Submission of Undergraduate Student Assignments, Request for Missed Clinical Time for Professional Engagement, and BSN Missed Practice Learning Experiences.

These three policies have been replaced by the new Academic Concession Request Policy for the Undergraduate Program.

Rationale:
Rationale for new policy:
  • Over the last 5 years, UBC has created and regularly updated a central academic concession policy including UBC Senate approved procedures for implementation.
  • This central UBC policy robustly outlines processes and procedures related to both in-term and term-end concession requests and has introduced expectations that “The options for making up for missed work should be described in the course syllabus.”
  • In response to this policy, the undergraduate program created and has implemented an online Academic Concession Request System (ACRS) through which students request in-term and term-end academic concessions.
  • Since the introduction and updating of the UBC concessions policy, several aspects of nursing undergraduate policies related to submission of work, concession related to missed clinical time, etc. are now more accurately and appropriately covered by the UBC policy.
  • The new policy articulates the processes by which students must use the ACRS to request in-term & term-end concessions, as well as missed practice time, and the responsibilities of instructors (in-term work) and the Progressions committee (term-end work) with respect to concession.

Rationale for discontinuation of previous policies:

  • University policies related to concession & content and distribution of syllabi outline the ways that information related to how assessments will be completed, submitted, assessed, and how concessions will be managed must be articulated in the course syllabus.
  • The BSN Program Policy Progression and Advancement in the BSN Program and the new Academic Concession Request Policy for the BSN Program, cover all aspects of application for and review of concession requests, criteria for progression and advancement in the BSN Program, and processes for missed time in practice-based courses. Having multiple, overlapping policies increases the likelihood of confusion and contradiction among our policies.
  • These policy updates allow increased flexibility for instructors to take up teaching and assessment practices that are aligned with their thoughtfully considered philosophies of teaching, while also using the Undergraduate Program Committee syllabi review and consultation process to ensure that all university and program-level policies are attended to and to ensure attention to curricular fidelity and accreditation standards.

 

Please consult the BSN Program Policies & Procedures website for up-to-date information on applicable program policies.

Student Services Office
Student Services | School of Nursing | UBC
T248 – 2211Wesbrook Mall | Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 2B5
bsnprogram@nursing.ubc.ca

Invitation: Marion Woodward Lecture – Oct. 3, 2024

Announcements,

Dear BSN students,

You are invited to the 56th annual Marion Woodward Lecture.

A decade of grit, grief and gratitude: Leadership Lessons and Policy Pearls from Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer

Dr. Leigh Chapman, RN, PhD, Chief Nursing Officer, Health Canada

Thursday, October 3, 2024
In-Person & Online

  • Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre | 6163 University Boulevard | UBC Point Grey campus

The Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Woodward’s Foundation has generously supported the annual Marion Woodward Lecture since 1969. 

Click here for more details.

Join Us at the Wellness Corner: Resources, Treats, and Wellness Tips Await!

Announcements

Dear UBC School of Nursing Students,

We are excited to invite you to visit our Wellness Corner/Table, located on the third floor near the student service center, designed specifically with your well-being in mind! Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, this space offers a variety of wellness resources, self-care tips, and tasty treats to help you recharge during your busy academic life.

Every couple of weeks, we will be refreshing the table with new resources, wellness-related recommendations, and of course, more treats! Be sure to stop by regularly to check out the latest updates on how to maintain a healthy balance between your studies and personal well-being.

Take a moment for yourself—explore the resources, grab a snack, and remember that self-care is key to your success.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,
Shams Al-Anzi
OBO Wellness Committee
School of Nursing, UBC