School of Nursing Initiatives

The TRU School of Nursing has been involved with many initiatives to promote the success of Indigenous students, create a culturally safe educational experience for all, and to build relationships with Indigenous communities, groups, and individuals.

The TRU School of Nursing formally acknowledged and adopted the Framework for Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety from the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada – now the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association, to ensure that all graduates of nursing programs are able to practice in a culturally safe manner.

The TRU School of Nursing has also adopted an advocacy statement acknowledging the role the SON has in achieving a culturally safe academic environment, advocating for changes within Thompson Rivers University in support of the strategic goal of becoming the University of Choice for Aboriginal Students.

Several grants and projects have been carried out focusing on the recruitment of Indigenous students into nursing programs, and the development of a pre-health program (Indigenous Pathways for Health Careers program).

Faculty have been involved in scholarly work investigating and learning more to inform education and practice on the transition of Indigenous nursing graduates into practice. Our faculty and students have been participants in the national development and implementation of a framework for mentoring and support of Indigenous students from the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association.

Student leadership and learning opportunities are key to the ongoing success and development of initiatives within the school of nursing. Students have opportunities to work with Indigenous partners in practice education experiences throughout the nursing program.

Since 2000, faculty members in the School of Nursing have been involved in many initiatives to promote success of Indigenous students, create a culturally safe educational experience for all, and build relationships with Indigenous individuals, groups, and communities.

Mahara, S. (PI), Duncan, S., Holmes, V., Kurtz, D., Melnyk, R, and Lindley, D. Understanding and Supporting the Career Paths of Aboriginal Nursing Graduates. Interior Health/TRU School of Nursing

Duncan, S., Mahara, S., Larson, G., Kaliszewski, G., Girouard, G., and Ignace, M. Collaborating for Success. Health Canada Aboriginal Health Human Resource Initiative Support Program

Holmes, V., Mahara, S., Duncan, S., Johansen, S., Johnson, R. and Ignace, M. Increasing Participation, Success, and Retention Rates of Aboriginal Students in Nursing. BC Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills Aboriginal Special Project Fund

Duncan, S., Mahara, S., Brown, J., Ignace, M., and Holmes, V. TRU/SFU Kamloops Pre-Health Program Project Team. Aboriginal Nursing Project - Phase IV. BC Ministry of Health Services, Nursing Directorate. 2006/2007 Aboriginal Nursing Strategy Fund

Duncan, S., Mahara, S., Brown, J., Ignace, M., and Holmes, V. TRU/SFU Kamloops Pre-Health Program Project Team. Aboriginal Nursing Project - Phase III. BC Ministry of Health Services, Nursing Directorate. 2005/2006 Aboriginal Nursing Strategy Fund

Duncan, S., Mahara, S., Brown, J., Ignace, M., and Holmes, V. UCC/SFU Kamloops Project Team. Aboriginal Nursing Project - Phase II. BC Ministry of Health Services, Nursing Directorate. 2004/2005 Aboriginal Nursing Strategy Fund

Duncan, S., Holmes, V., Mahara, S., Manuel, V., and Ignace, M. UCC/SCES-SFU. Aboriginal Nursing Project. BC Ministry of Health Planning, Nursing Directorate. Aboriginal Nursing Strategy Fund

Student leadership

Aboriginal nursing students at TRU have many opportunities to develop leadership skills that they will take with them into their nursing careers. All students study leadership in the classroom and practice settings and are invited to be involved in faculty projects as well as encouraged to present their work locally and at provincial and national conferences. Faculty work with students to assist them in applying for scholarships and bursaries, and students are supported to attend key conferences and workshops.

Examples of student work include:

Marla Goebert and Stacey Isaac. (2010). Increasing Awareness of Aboriginal Placements. Poster Presentation: Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) National Nurse Educators Conference. Winner of the Student Poster Award.

Star Mahara, Vicki Holmes, Stacey Isaac, and Rose Melnyk (2010). Inspiring and Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders in Aboriginal Nursing. Roundtable Session. Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) National Nurse Educators Conference.

Sarah Ambler, Jessica Edinger, and Rachel Peever. (2010). Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety in Nursing Education: Implementation Strategy for the TRU School of Nursing. NURS 431 Nurses Influencing Change Initiative.

Marla Goebert and Stacey Isaac. (2009). Increasing Awareness of Aboriginal Learning Opportunities for Nursing Students in the TRU BSN program. NURS 431 Nurses Influencing Change Initiative.

Jane Coombs, Chelsea Jansen, Roberta Haller, and Star Mahara (2009). Aboriginal student success with the Simpcw First Nation. Secwepemc NEWS, August/September, p. 10.

Star Mahara, Samantha McLeod, and Rose Melnyk (2009). Promoting Aboriginal Nursing: Recruitment, Retention, and Leadership Development. Invited presentation at the Native and Inuit Nurses Association/ BC Nurses Union Aboriginal Leadership Council/Métis Nation BC Aboriginal Nursing Conference: Building Collaborative Relationships through Innovative Practice.

Star Mahara, Donna Dillman, Irene Howe, I., and Eleanor Linklater (2006). Aboriginal Nursing Project: Practical Supports. Proceedings of the BC Academic Health Council. Aboriginal Health Provider Education Summit: Action Now!