About

Community Building through Culture & History using a strength-based approach:

 Virsa & Kwantlen Partnership:

WHY?

Community Building through Culture & History using a strength-based approach:
(Rationale)

Forums such as those held at Tamanawis & Princess Margaret (VIRSA), and Abbotsford (Speak Out) have dealt with many of the challenges facing the community.  There have been quite a high number of these community forums that talk about the problems with the community—gang violence, substance use and trafficking, domestic gender based violence and discrimination—both within community circles and under the intrigued eye of the mainstream media/public-at-large.  These forums have consistently demonstrated a need for a more dynamic understanding of what South Asian cultures have been, are, and will become.  It is important to note that this understanding, this gained knowledge of self and of community entails more active processes and seeks to go beyond the static form that has dominated many of the forums thus far.

Building on the idea of praxis (to know, to be, to do), this committee will be dedicated to a long-term holistic approach.   Meaning that several issues will be discussed, exploring critical self-reflection—both as communities-at-large (linguistic, religious, and regional, as well as friendships/peer groups, families, workplaces, etc.) and as individuals (recognizing one’s own position in relation to all issues taken on in terms of class, gender, ethnicity, etc.)—as a guiding principle for how and which multiple histories will be told, and how they will be connected to the conditions of the present.

At this moment, I only have my own experiences and studies to build these rationales and believe that this will ultimately be a primary, ongoing dialogue with committee members and community allies/partners.

1. Course Info:

Students will engage in activities to influence change for the promotion of societal health within the Canadian health care system  They will have opportunities to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral groups.  Student will also use this practice experience for personal growth in their practice as professional nurses.

2. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Activities may include, but are not restricted to, the following:

• Exploring relevant literature
• Discussing concepts related to promotion of societal health
• Reflecting on own practice

Students have opportunities to influence change through their work with organizations, policies, or health issues at a group (may include family), community, or societal level.  They explore how their professional identity can make a difference in the lives of others through work on a particular health issue, with a certain group, or in a specific setting.  They have opportunities to develop skills related to the change process with contextural awareness.
Faculty work with students in practice settings to continue facilitating their learning of professional nursing practice and their further development of critical thinking and critical reflection skills.  Practice experiences are suppored by seminars which provide opportunities to examine theories and concepts through discussion, exploration and integration.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

A student who successfully completes the course will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Work collaboratively with others when participating in a project designed to bring about change on a specific health or nursing practice issue
• Explore concepts studied in theory courses, such as influence, power, change, health policy strategies, funding and resource allocation, and citizen participation
• Implement activities that are proactive in relation to creating and implementing health care policies
• Enhance personal knowledge, competence, confidence and proficiency in nursing practice
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary groups
• Integrate theoretical knowledge within a moral and caring context
• Use effective decision-making skills
• Be increasingly self-directed in nursing practice
• Practice in a manner consistent with the standards of the nursing profession