A Message from the NUA

Isaiah Joy is the new NUA president for the 2021-2022 academic year at the Faculty of Nursing. Photo supplied.

Isaiah Joy is a fourth-year Faculty of Nursing Collaborative Program student at the University of Alberta and the Nursing Undergraduate Association's (NUA) new president for the 2021-2022 academic year. 

Joy pursued an education in nursing to unite his love for science with his desire to help people whenever possible.

The NUA is a student-run organization that consists of nursing students who are elected by their peers to volunteer their time and effort to represent the Faculty of Nursing's undergraduate students and ensure that they have the best experience possible.

The NUA provides academic advocacy, coordinates social events, addresses issues and concerns that affect nursing students, and connects students to the campus community, as well as the national body of nursing students through the Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA). 

It also acts to fulfill the academic, social, and political needs of nursing students. We are the official voice and representation of nursing students on the University of Alberta campuses through the Students' Union, General Faculties Council, Faculty of Nursing, and the Council of Faculty Associations.

Below, Joy provides a glimpse into the academic year ahead.

What are your priorities as NUA president for the 2021-2022 academic year?

1. Develop a partnership with Indigenous Nursing Students Association so we’re able to provide meaningful and equitable discussion on and support for each other’s initiatives
2. Apply for UASU grants and open new positions on NUA Council and Student Advisory Council (SAC) to increase scholarship and volunteer opportunities for nursing students
3. Host a broader range of Q&As about relevant nursing student topics (ex. How to get jobs in healthcare, how to make the most of clinical experiences) and mentorship initiatives to help nursing students of all years receive guidance from older nursing students and/or recent nursing graduates 
4. Make standardized and transparent application processes for subgroups so nursing students can more easily connect in meaningful, extracurricular ways with their peers 

Is there anything exciting undergraduate students should look forward to?

Students can look forward to the NUA making new initiatives and updating existing initiatives to be more inclusive (easier and more meaningful opportunities for participation and recognition of accomplishments), accessible (technologically and physically), and relevant to their lives. 

Fall 2021 will be like no other fall on campus before. How does the NUA plan to reconnect with graduate students on-campus?

We’ll do our best to provide options for both in-person and online participation in all of our initiatives (within the rules given by UASU). And in addition to more regular posting to our social media, we’ll also launch a subscription-based email service so people can pick and choose which NUA and SAC information is most relevant to them. 

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I’m proud of the NUA and SAC team we’ve assembled; they’re good people and hard workers. I’m looking forward to welcoming new members to NUA and SAC and making this year the best it can be for everybody.