Student Influence: working as a Research Assistant as part of the SON experience.

Many people view being a nursing student is primarily associated with studying, lectures, labs, clinical and a lot of caffeine! However, our students also have opportunities to be involved in important research led by TWU faculty. This past year, seven undergraduate nursing students have been supporting TWU research as part of project that examines the use of digital quality of life assessment tools with older adults who are receiving care at home, and their family caregivers. These tools are designed to place their concerns and experiences at the centre of health care. Based on several previous studies at the TWU SON (recently published in the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes), the current project specifically focuses on the use of a web-based Quality of Life Assessment and Practice Support System (QPSS). The project is funded by Canadian Institutes for Health Research’s (CIHR) eHealth Innovations Partnership Program (eHIPP) through 2019, and is in partnership with Cambian (developer of the web-based applications), Fraser Health, Alberta Health Services, academics, researchers and stakeholders from around the globe. Under the supervision of Dr. Rick Sawatzky (Lead Investigator; Faculty Member and Canada Research Chair at the TWU SON), Sharon Wang (former MSN student and Nurse Researcher) and Taryne Lepp (former BSN student and Project Coordinator), these undergraduate students have played a key role in engaging older adults and family caregivers in the project by conducting home visits, supporting use of the web-based QPSS, and collecting research data. In so doing, students have developed important skills in research and engaging with older adults and family caregivers. Most importantly, they have the chance to gain another perspective on how nurses can make a difference in the health care system from the ground up and provide leadership in patient care.