April Mackey

 

April Mackey is originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland having moved to Regina several years ago to attend school. She is currently a fourth year nursing student with the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan. She assisted Dr. Sandra Bassendowski in researching the role of Saskatchewan nurses in World War I and II and assisted with the development of a book on this topic. It has been her first research project, and she hopes it will not be her last!

 

April has a strong interest in future humanitarian work, critical care nursing, obstetrics and nursing history. Upon graduation, April hopes to move east to be closer to her family. In addition, she hopes to obtain her Masters in Nursing and someday work as an RN overseas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deanna Bickford

 

Deanna was born and raised in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, where she currently resides with her husband. She is the mother of three and grandmother of one.

 

Education is always something that she seems to come back to. She graduated from SIAST Wascana in 1993 with her LPN and in 1995 as a RN. Deanna has worked at Wascana Rehabilitation Center in Regina, SWADD in Regina, the Moose Jaw Union Hospital and most recently as a Community Care Coordinator for Five Hills Health Region Home Services. In 2005 she sustained a workplace injury and was no longer able to work in “traditional” health care environments. So then it was back to school again. In 2007 she began working towards her post registration BScN at the University of Saskatchewan, which she will finish in June 2009. While taking a research class in 2008 as part of the BScN program she had her “ah ha moment” and thought this is what I can do......“I can still be a nurse”. She will begin her Masters of Nursing program as a full time student at the University of Saskatchewan in the fall of 2009.

 

She is currently doing her student practicum at the Standing Buffalo First Nation, which is where her interests are. She plans to focus on the areas of community practice and Aboriginal health.

 

 

 

Jaime Mantesso Partyka

 

Jaime Mantesso Partyka is a Masters of Nursing student at the University of Saskatchewan. Currently, Mantesso Partyka is employed in a Regina hospital emergency department. Working as an RN is a challenging journey that has proven to be a very rewarding career choice.

 

2007 and 2008 were exciting years for Mantesso Partyka as she started her nursing career and realized its potential. Finishing up her undergraduate degree while working as a coordinator and interim manager for the Community Mentorship Program has afforded Mantesso Partyka with endless learning opportunities and increased her desire to gain knowledge in areas of policy development, vulnerable populations, and health care. Not only has she balanced multiple significant commitments, but has also gotten married, began grad school, assisted in a variety of research projects, helped to create the Global Professional Practice Group, and took part in a professional delegation to China!!

 

This year Mantesso Partyka will be finishing up necessary courses to write her thesis, which will be developed surrounding Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs). Mantesso Partyka looks forward to spending time learning from her committee members as she continues her education experience.

 

To date Mantesso Partyka has had two articles published in peer- reviewed journals. Being published has encouraged Mantesso Partyka to develop her research abilities and produce further nursing literature. Other areas of interest she will research and write about in the future include: vulnerable populations, international development, emergency nursing, First Nations youth, mentorship, culture, international nursing education, addictions, globalization, and heath care systems.

 

 

 

Shauna Davies

 

Shauna Davies is a Registered Nurse and doctoral student with the University of Saskatchewan, College of Nursing. As a Registered Nurse, Shauna has worked in a variety of general surgery and critical care units both in Regina and Saskatoon. She is currently a clinical instructor with third year nursing students. Shauna is excited to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Bassendowski, as she received a Graduate Teaching Scholarship for the upcoming academic year.

 

Shauna’s research interests include educational technology, the use of simulation in nursing education, and using social media for patient education. Her current research is focused on developing a mobile application for patients with Congestive Heart Failure.