The Challenge

Student nurses at five Ontario universities found that they had similar issues arising in their work. They decided they needed a stronger voice to advocate for student nurses and for better care for patients.

A particularly strong leader at one university opened discussions with the student nurses at the other universities. Led by this very committed woman, the group discussed various ways they could mobilize to strengthen their voice and solve professional issues collectively. One university subsidized teleconferences for the group, which were an important communication vehicle as the universities were geographically separated and many of the students involved had work placements in small, remote communities across Ontario's north.

The leader thought that they should join an established professional organization, but they did not know how to do so in a way that would retain their identity as an identifiable group with distinct issues within the nursing profession.

Action Taken

The leader called the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse (OPC), and a health promotion consultant there worked with her to develop an effective mobilization process. Together, they created a plan to bring the whole group together for a one-day session to help them develop a shared vision and to discuss possibilities for forming as a more deliberate, formal group. A supporting package of resources was sent to participants in advance of the session.

During the session, they discussed their history, barriers, issues, and opportunities for further development as a group. Participants all felt the session was a great success. Everyone left feeling better informed and more able to articulate common professional issues, which they agreed would make them better advocates for themselves and their patients. After the session, they felt they had more power to position themselves better as nurses both personally and by taking on leadership roles within the nursing profession.

Implications for Practice

A few months later, the group disbanded. Cutbacks led to the withdrawal of the university-sponsored teleconferences, and when the original leader moved to a new position elsewhere nobody stepped in to fill her position. Constant turnover of membership (intrinsic to a student group) presented an additional challenge.

Although they did not reach their original goal (joining a professional organization), participants built skills, knowledge and a shared vision of their role as health promoters. They recognized that they are able to advocate to effect systems change at many levels. This process increased their own satisfaction with their work and will continue to enhance the communities in which they live and work throughout their careers.