The Role and Responsibilities of Student Representative Include the Following

Student Representative:

The role and Responsibilities of Student Representative include the following:

•Liaising between Students and BCNPA (informing students about the work of BCNPA and informing BCNPA about the needs of students)

•Attending BCNPA executive meetings (monthly)

•Ad hoc presentations to students regarding BCNPA & encouraging student membership to BCNPA

•Attendance at Ad hoc meetings as required

We asked the current sitting student rep some questions and here’s the replies to help you consider running for this important role:

Why consider running for Student Rep?

In light of the growing crisis here in B.C. (and across Canada) where most citizens do not have access to a primary care provider, I believe that entrenching the Nurse Practitioner as a fundamental member of any and all healthcare teams is a basic and essential step.Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.Hence, NP's must participate in the process of advocacy in order to engage and educate the public about our role and ultimately provide solid evidence to influence and advance policy and practice.This is a process that students can and should become involved with during their time as students.

Running for Student Representative can place an NP student in a position where he or she can begin to engage and organize the student NP voice and add it to that of their fellow NP colleaguesMoving forward in health care, NPs must be sure they have a seat at the important decision-making tables at all levels to shape policy in federal, provincial, and local government, as well as the workplace and the community – and by becoming involved in the BCNPA in a formal capacity is a very important first step.

What is the time commitment for this role?

-Approximately 5 to 10 hours per week – depending upon the workload and developments during any given week.This also involves some independent research and preparation for projects such as giving presentations, writing up reports, and email/telephone contacts.

-In addition, 1.5 hours per month for the monthly board meetings.

Any other insights about the role you would like to share?

According to Canadian Nurses Association: “Advocacy involves engaging others, exercising voice and mobilizing evidence to influence policy and practice. It means speaking out against inequity and inequality…participating directly and indirectly in political processes and acknowledges the important roles of evidence, power and politics in advancing policy options.”

Increasing the capacity for advocacy lies in creating opportunities for NPs. Within the context of the BCNPA, NPs can join with like-minded colleagues and begin to test their abilities to advocate for issues that are important to them. In creating these opportunities, the BCNPA can facilitate opportunities for NPs to branch out on their own through advocacy, with the added benefit of support from other members of the organization.

By working with the BCNPA, we as future NP’s can become involved in the policy process at the personal andprofessional level, which involves being knowledgeable about the laws and regulations governing nurse practice acts and knowing the process and sources for the creation of health policy.So, if the process of policy and political involvement is new to you, remember that we can learn from each other. There are mentors everywhere, if we look. All we need is the commitment and the will to learn and contribute.We need to be the change.