A Message from the NGSA

Photo caption: Arnel Ramic is the new NGSA president for the 2020-2021 academic year at the Faculty of Nursing. Photo supplied.

Arnel Ramic is a second-year Faculty of Nursing master’s student in the Nurse Practioner (NP) program at the University of Alberta and the Nursing Graduate Student Association's (NGSA) new president for the 2020-2021 academic year. 

His research interests include oncology, end-of-life care, and critical care medicine. For his Master’s project, he examined nursing care, assessment, and treatment of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in adult oncology patients following stem cell transplantation.

After working as a Registered Nurse (RN) in critical care for many years, Ramic decided to pursue graduate studies after exploring the MN-NP stream at the faculty and shadowing NPs in a clinical setting. 

“I quickly recognized that NPs could provide comprehensive health assessment, diagnose health/ illness conditions, and treat and manage acute and chronic illness within a holistic care model. Furthermore, NPs are Master’s and Ph.D. prepared autonomous health professionals who provide essential healthcare services grounded in professional, ethical, and legal standards,” explained Ramic. 

Ramic claims choosing the Faculty for his graduate studies was the best decision he ever made due to its long-standing excellence in teaching and research. The revised MN – NP stream will equip students to integrate their in-depth knowledge of advanced nursing practice and theory, health management, health promotion, disease/injury prevention, and other relevant biomedical and psychosocial theories. 

As a result, Ramic is confident that he, along with his fellow classmates, is well-positioned to be health science leaders upon graduation. In the meantime, he’s excited to lead and inspire fellow graduate students as the current NGSA President. 

The NGSA is the official voice for the Faculty of Nursing graduate students at the University of Alberta. It is composed of graduate students, both master's and Ph.D., who promote the general welfare of nursing graduate students through social, recreational, cultural, academic, and community-oriented endeavours.

With the continuation of the pandemic and remote learning becoming the norm, this year will be one to remember. Below, Ramic provides a glimpse into what to expect for the semester ahead.

What are your priorities as NGSA president for Fall 2020? One of my top priorities is to ensure the general welfare of nursing graduate students with attention to students’ social, recreational, cultural, and intellectual endeavours.

Is there anything exciting graduate students should look forward to? This year I look forward to focusing on mental health and physical well-being for all nursing graduate students during these unprecedented times. I will strive to create an inclusive and supportive culture that will include ‘call-in’ days for students’ to reach out to NGSA executive members – allowing time for social interaction.

How does the NGSA plan to stay connected with graduate nursing students despite remote learning?  The NGSA will support all nursing graduate students by acting as a resource and liaison! Nursing graduate students will always be warmly invited to join virtual NGSA conversations. Additionally, the ‘call-in’ initiative will be of great benefit and I look forward to offering this support.

This year is the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. What does that mean to you? 

Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. The year of the Nurse, to me, is an everlasting reminder that I pledge myself to the service of humanity and endeavour to practise my profession with conscience and with dignity. Fall 2020 will involve new ways of learning, connecting, and communicating. 

The NGSA would love to hear from you! To become a general member or for other inquiries, please email the NGSA (nrsgsa@ualberta.ca) or any of the Executive members. Learn more: https://www.ualberta.ca/nursing/programs/graduate-student-resources-and-services/nursing-graduate-students-association.html