Hudson is the 2019 recipient of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals ECATS interdisciplinary champion student scholar award for her dedication to accessibility, interdisciplinary teamwork, and work in translating information about the Canadian healthcare system for prospective international students.
For Jamie Hudson, fourth year Faculty of Nursing student at the University of Alberta, choosing to pursue a career in nursing was an easy decision. She always knew she wanted to be involved in a healthcare setting-she enjoys helping people, thrives in an environment that involves balancing medical skills with scientific knowledge, and understands the opportunities as a Registered Nurse are endless.
Now on the brink of graduating from her after degree program with an ER position to follow, she can add "international award recipient" to her portfolio. Hudson is the 2019 recipient of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals ECATS interdisciplinary champion student scholar award for her dedication to accessibility, interdisciplinary teamwork, and work in translating information about the Canadian healthcare system for prospective international students. She is headed to Nashville, TN, to receive her award next week.
"I am very grateful for all of the experiences I've had the chance to attend and the professional connections I've made along the way," says Hudson." I feel like I've become a well-rounded individual by seeking out these opportunities and have increased my awareness of alternative career paths I can take in nursing."
Hudson first became involved in healthcare translation through a student healthcare and volunteer FaceBook group. "I initially wasn't really sure what all it entailed, but I love the French language and was happy to help, especially when I heard it was to help make access to healthcare information easier for prospective international students." She and several other healthcare students worked together on a research project, "Questions about Alberta's Healthcare System," which is currently in the process of publication.
She is grateful for this rare opportunity as a student to attend an international conference that focuses on spinal cord injuries and believes it's important that healthcare providers improve patient care and outcomes in regards to accessibility and spinal cord injuries.
"In any area of the nursing profession, I may encounter patients with varying degrees of spinal cord injuries and/or compromised mobility, and I am interested in learning how I can best support their health and wellness. I am excited to learn more about the technologies available to patients that I may encounter, new developments and advancements in research, as well as network with all of the highly established and renowned professionals striving for success in this specialized field."
On top of her award, Hudson will be the first Faculty of Nursing student to receive the Certificate in International Learning when she convocates in November, a program offered by Global Education at the University of Alberta.
"Completing all of the intercultural activities was really beneficial to my future career as a nurse. I feel more comfortable approaching cultural topics with individuals, and have a new mindset of appreciating others for their unique features, versus the standard view of seeing the ways in which they are different from my own culture."
Hudson is confident as she prepares to tackle the next professional challenge: passing her NCLEX licensing exam and beginning her career as an ER nurse. She's thankful for her family's support and the many resources and scholarship opportunities the Faculty introduced to her along the way to further her knowledge and experience.
"My advice for new students is to seek out as many opportunities as possible, and not to be afraid to pursue these experiences."