ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018

The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) held its Annual General Meeting on October 20th, 2018 at the CRPNA office.

The meeting is held each year to:
- report and provide information to the members on the actions taken by Council and the activities in which the College is involved
- provides a forum thru which members are able to raise issues of importance
- provide an opportunity for members to comment on the College direction and priorities
- address any other matters considered appropriate by Council
The College and staff of CRPNA would like to take this opportunity to extend their deep appreciation to the outoging council members  who's significant contributions over the past years have been greatly valued and will be missed.

Patrick Cruz

CRPNA would like to welcome new Council members  - 

Anthony Brannen
Judy Negrey
Rufus Awharitoma
Tonya Ratushniak

Ted James Scholarship - 2018


The Ted James Scholarship Awards of $500 each are awarded annually to two individuals who have successfully completed an approved Alberta Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Program. The recipients of the annual awards will be announced at the CRPNA AGM each year.
                                       
Jacqueline Bruno received the 2018 Ted James Scholarship
presented by Anthony Brannen, President



Taelina Andrechuk received the 2018 Ted James Scholarship 
presented by Anthony Brannen, President

In her capstone project, Jacqueline built on the work she had done previously in the program. In her previous courses, she developed a blog for Indigenous youth to address mental health concerns that are unique to their experiences.

As a First Nations person herself, Jacqueline has a unique perspective and ability to address the needs of her community. By creating a blog, she was able to address mental health resources relevant to the youth of her community and also the spiritual connection to mental health that is so deeply needed. She was able to build on this momentum in her capstone course by working with the Kitaskinaw school on Enoch Cree Nation and with the school administration, identified the needs of the students there. She provided teaching to students there in multiple grades on self-esteem and self-worth. She developed a teaching plan that allowed the students a safe space to express themselves and included the students developing a plan for themselves when they feel they are in need of support. Through this activity she engaged in building capacity within the students to utilize these skills after she had left. It is a step towards what I have no doubt will be a lifelong mission of improving mental health for Indigenous youth.

Taelina completed her capstone project focusing on mental health services for individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and mental health services accessibility. She collaborated with Edmonton and area Fetal Alcohol Network Society as her community organization of choice and worked to not only identify the need for this population to authentically access services but gain support in their journey.

She consistently demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication, exercised relational practice in how she engaged with community stakeholders and partners. Taelina through her capstone project, demonstrated an ability to take constructive feedback; and demonstrated an ability to seek support when needed. She worked openly with her peers in and out of class.

Taelina has managed to participate in the Research Club through Addictions and Mental Health investigating the impact of Supportive Housing for homelessness and emergency department trends within specific demographics (including homelessness).

Despite her full time employment with Addictions and Mental Health, Taelina obtained a competitive GPA as well as volunteers for the distress line as a trainer and a supportive listener. She also volunteers at Maskwacis Health Center as a group facilitator and engages in cultural events within the community.

She participated as an exchange student working in Cusco, Peru in one of the psychiatric hospital. This global experience has allowed her to realize the power of resilience among people as well as the connection we have as human beings.