Prince Albert Students Get Involved in Politics
The social determinants of health, such as income, housing, food safety and education play a major role in the health of communities; and communities are impacted daily by policies that are set at municipal, provincial and federal levels. As such, registered nurses who work directly with individuals, families, groups and larger communities to improve their health, are directly affected by political decisions.
Breanne Stubbs, 4th year nursing student at the Prince Albert Campus, decided as the race for Mayor of Prince Albert heated up this year, she wanted to get involved and engage her fellow students. “Nurses and nursing students have an important voice at a political level – be it municipal, provincial or federal,” said Acting Assistant Dean Prince Albert Campus Dr. Janet McCabe. “Nurses can advocate for the health of individuals and communities”.
Breanne contacted each of the Mayoral candidates – Conrad Burns, Greg Dionne, Josh Morrow and Martin Ring – set up times for them to speak to her classmates and moderated the discussion periods. “The policies that the winning candidate puts forth, advocates for and ultimately approves while on City Council, directly affect my future role as a Registered Nurse,” said Stubbs. “I wanted my fellow classmates to be educated about the candidates’ campaigns and make informed decisions while at the polls”.
“I am very proud of Breanne for the lead she took on hosting this political series,” said Dr. McCabe. “The earlier we lay the foundation of nurses having an important political voice and discuss advocacy with our students, the more powerful a voice they can have, and they can learn HOW to use that voice appropriately”.
Congratulations to Greg Dionne on being re-elected as Mayor of Prince Albert on October 26th.