VALUABLE JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR OTTAWA VALLEY STUDENT

PEMBROKE - MAY 7, 2007: For the past three years, Melissa Wilkinson of Pembroke has earned money over the summer by working at a local factory. Not this year. The Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley Nursing student will be on the payroll of one of Canada’s leading teaching hospitals.

Wilkinson is among a select group of nursing students from across the province that has been chosen to participate in a Summer Nursing Student program at the London Health Sciences Centre, a renowned facility affiliated with the University of Western Ontario. Over a 12-week period, these students will gain invaluable work experience and learn more about what it’s like to be a nurse at one of the country’s largest and busiest hospitals.

Having just completed her third year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Algonquin’s Pembroke Campus, Wilkinson is eagerly anticipating her time in London. “I had looked at this program previously and this year decided to apply. I was thrilled when I learned I had been accepted because I think the experience will really be helpful as I pursue a career in nursing,” adds the 23-year old Wilkinson.

A key attraction of the program is the opportunity for participants to access observational experiences. Students are allotted 12 hours to choose areas of the hospital where they can take time to watch nurses work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team.  “The observational experiences certainly attracted me to the program,” says Wilkinson.  “As a nursing student I find it exciting to have the chance to see nurses in their many roles such as in the operating room or in the emergency area,” adds Wilkinson.

Although the program limits the students’ opportunities to provide direct patient care, the students are assigned to mentors who will guide them as they work on special administrative projects.  Wilkinson thinks her previous experience in her community health practicum was a factor in getting the job. 

“The Ottawa U. and Algonquin College nursing program has a really unique set-up for community nursing”, she explained.  “Instead of shadowing a community health nurse, each student works on a project and develops a product over the course of the year.  In my case, I developed a pamphlet to educate student smokers about the health risks of smoking.  When they were explaining the program in London, it sounded exactly like my community health nursing project.  I really think that gave me an edge in the hiring process so I am very thankful to the program for giving me that experience”, she added.

To qualify for this popular program, students had to be in the second or third year of a Nursing degree program. Wilkinson was interviewed in March and found out shortly after that she had been accepted. She began her work placement the first week of May and will be working on the medical floor of the London Health Sciences Centre.

Beyond the learning experience, Wilkinson is hoping to leave an impression with her mentor and the other health care workers she meets in London. Past students who have participated in the Summer Nursing Student program have been able to make valuable contacts which have helped them secure work upon graduation.

After she completes her workplace program in London, Wilkinson will have a few weeks off and then returns to the classroom at Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley for her final year.  She expects the experience to broaden her knowledge of the health care profession in general and to solidify her commitment to a career in nursing.