Academic News

I am thankful for the opportunities provided by Red River College to work with other students, learn personal stories from the instructors and gain the confidence to succeed within the workplace. When I first started my Red River College Business Administration journey, I wasn’t very confident in my academic abilities, along with not knowing how much rigorous studying would positively change my self-worth. The confidence I achieved from Red River College has been a huge asset when applying for jobs, along with furthering my education in university. I have used my experiences from the Entrepreneurship class many times in job interviews, and employers are genuinely interested in the uniqueness of the class.

The instructors at Red River College truly want to help you reach your potential whether that’s through the Entrepreneurship class, or with giving you one-on-one feedback with assignments. They are willing to share past business and education experiences with students and I found that so valuable.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at Red River College is the lasting connections I have made with former students and instructors. Recently I was asked to join a start-up company with former students, and it was such a great experience knowing I am able to succeed with the connections I have made.

If you have the mindset of consistent and continuous learning, you will be so much more equipped after graduation.

My advice for new students is to prioritize mental health. Personally, I pushed away anxiety and depression because I felt like I couldn’t take time away from my studies, and once I started university my neglected mental health hit me hard within a month. I would also suggest looking into testing accommodations if you feel like that is something that could help. Whether it’s in a private room because of anxiety or needing a scribe due to wrist problems, I believe it could improve your college experience. In college finances were a huge stressor for me because I didn’t want to incur interest on my loans 6 months after graduation, so one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give someone who takes out loans is you can pay your loans off even during your studies, I often did $20 increments, don’t wait until after graduation!

Interested in learning more about our Business Administration program? Ezequiel Lerner, Business Administration grad, checked in with us to answer some questions about the program.

1) How did your time at Red River College help you achieve your goals?
The two-year program taught me that through hard work, dedication, commitment, and true inner belief you can overcome any challenge that stands in your way. Ultimately, one of my goals was to grow on a personal and professional level, and by applying myself to be the best I could be I did just that.

2) What aspects of your academic experience at Red River College would you say were particularly influential?
Hands down the relationships that I made along the way as without them I wouldn’t have been as successful as I was. Additionally, the hands-on nature of the program helped put a lot of the teachings into practice, which is a big advantage over university.

3) What stands out for you about your Red River College experience that really prepared you to start on your career?
The program helped shape me into the young professional that I hoped I would become. It truly taught me a lot about myself and that through hard work anything is possible.

4) Academics aside, what other opportunities, social and extra-curricular, added to your Red River College experience? (i.e. Vanier competition; Finance competition; Business Solutions Team; Student Ambassador, First Impressions Recruitment Event (FIRE), Directions Conference, International Student Support, etc.)
I played on the Red River College Men’s Basketball Team for two years, which introduced me to a lot of friends while challenging me in new and different ways. You can ask any member of the 2015-16 team about our ups and downs that I will never forget but, ultimately, we won the championship and I learned a lot of lessons along the way. I also felt a deeper connection to RRC because not only was I representing the school in the classroom but on the basketball court as well.

5) What advice would you offer someone considering enrolment in the Red River College Business Administration program?
Listen. The program is not a walk in the park. It truly isn’t. 6 courses per semester is no joke so if you want to be successful then you need to be ready to work, otherwise this program isn’t for you. Be committed to yourself, to your growth, to your goals, and to your personal and professional development. Don’t be shy, ask questions, get involved, make friends, and get to know your instructors because they are truly amazing people. Speaking of, BIG SHOUTOUT to Dr. Taiwo Soetan and Susan Robson. Consider yourself blessed if they’re your instructors.

I was a business administration CPA stream graduate several years ago and am now a Manager in a major public accounting firms. Going through the Business Administration program at Red River College helped me progress in my career. The program is tailored to have students learn the different aspects of the professional world. It does not only focus on technical skills, but also helps you develop the soft skills needed. Courses like Entrepreneurship let students experience what working in a team is like which then helps transition into the workplace. The program is created with the student’s successes in mind and one should not think that a course has more importance over others. The courses in the program all play their role in the students’ progress to help bridge into the professional world.

Smaller classes and block sections keep the college experience exciting and something to look forward to as you build invaluable relationships with both instructors and classmates. These interactions will also help with your progress in the program and break-up the dreariness of “school”.

RRC gives plenty of opportunities for students to connect with potential employers at events such as the First Impressions Recruitment Event and Directions Business Conference. These events are very valuable as they not only start your network as a student, but also allow you to connect with certain professionals within a variety of industries that can share their different experiences with you. These different perspectives could potentially help you see what the professional world looks like and help you decide if there’s a specific area you would like to focus on.
The business administration program is a very good start for anybody that is thinking of becoming a business professional. The skills learned and developed through this program will stay relevant to your future endeavours, whatever they may be.

Lastly, as much as getting good grades and graduating is the end goal, don’t forget to enjoy the ride and make sure to step out of your comfort zone and experience all that Red River College has to offer. After all, as the saying goes, “It’s the journey that matters, not the destination.”.

Red River College’s practical activities, relevant case studies and classroom discussions greatly contributed to the fulfillment of my career goals. A key aspect to the success of Red River College are the instructors, who are highly experienced and willing to provide mentorship to their students. In addition to providing a foundation to business knowledge, there is a strong and evident focus on personal development, such as interpersonal skill development and public speaking. The class structure easily facilitated relationship building between students and their instructors, allowing for a more meaningful and impactful learning experience.

Red River College provided me with confidence, enhanced public speaking skills and workplace professionalism.

Events such as the First Impression Recruitment Event were pivotal in my career success. These events allowed me to gain familiarity with the recruitment process and begin building a professional network. The combination of skills and foundational business knowledge that Red River College provides their students allowed me the confidence, skills and educational background needed to break into a career in the competitive financial Capital Markets (Toronto, ON).

I would recommend Red River College to anyone wanted to excel and fast track their career goals. The experience you will receive will be unmatched. The foundational business knowledge, mentorship and professional skill development opportunities that Red River College provided me allowed me to achieve my competitive career goals and I strongly believe that this experience can be applied to any career goal.

My time at Red River College was an unforgettable experience. Before starting the program, I had my fair share of trials and tribulations when it came to schooling and jobs. I am not the student who came to the program knowing exactly what I wanted to do with a business diploma, but instead, I was willing to take a risk and find my path along the way. I could not be happier that I made the decision to attend College. RRC has opened the door for endless opportunities.

The business program includes many assignments and projects that force you out of your comfort zone and allow you to reflect real-world scenarios. The role-plays, oral presentations, and group work allow for an easy transition into the workplace. Along the way, you will get to know some incredibly unique and gifted classmates. They will push you to be better and many will become close friends.

I could not have asked for more support from each and every one of my instructors. I am truly grateful to have had the mentors that I did throughout the two-year program. Being able to learn from instructors with real-life experience is a benefit that must not be overlooked. Ask them many questions and absorb as much of their knowledge as you possibly can.

A highlight from my time at Red River College has to be the entrepreneurship course where you learn the vital aspects of what it takes to develop a business plan and start a business within your group. Through the highs and lows that come with group projects, you learn that you cannot be successful unless you utilize the strengths of everyone involved in the process. Not only was our group able to overcome the obstacles we faced, we managed to come out on top and win the EP Trade Show for our year! A memory our team will always cherish when we look back on our time at RRC.

A unique opportunity, and one I would highly recommend each student attend, is the Directions Business Conference. This conference allows you to connect and network with employees, potential employers, and business owners of all types of companies, giving you the chance to pick the brains of individuals who were once in the same position as you. Taking advantage of this program in both years will allow you to experience what qualities employers are looking for in a graduate. This conference helped steer my path towards the financial services major with total confidence.

I have one word for those looking to embark on their journey at Red River College: Commit. Not just to the program, but to yourself.

Set your goals and know the reasons why you strive to complete your secondary education. You will leave the program with pride, confidence, and the fulfillment of many other graduates before you.

The Business Administration program at Red River College provided more than just functional learning, it gave me the tools and confidence I needed to excel in a marketing role.

The two-year program was fast paced and as a mother of two, I knew it would be a challenge. However, with the support and resources made available through RRC, I was able to graduate with honors – while raising a family. Since then, I have continued to grow my career as a marketing leader for a globally recognized company.

Going back to school in my thirties with a family was intimidating for many reasons. Could I handle the workload? How would I fit in? Can I really do this? The great thing about Red River is the support and resources they provide. I met with a student advisor who reassured me that yes, I can do it. The other great thing about Red River is student diversity. I was in a class with students from different cultures in various stages in life. I fit in perfectly by not fitting in. Some of the relationships I developed as a student at Red River are still some of the closest relationships I have today.

During the last year, I participated in the Entrepreneurship program, which included a mock trade show highlighting start up business ideas. As team lead, I was able to develop my leadership and communication skills. From ideation through execution, our team succeeded in winning the competition. However, this wasn’t the highlight. What stood out to me most during this time was the importance of being able to work as a team. From start to finish, everyone contributed and played a key role in our success. To this day, I lead with the same principle; we work as a team, we succeed as a team.

Since graduating from RRC, I have participated in focus groups and panelist discussions to help reshape the Business Admin Program for future students. This ensures the programs offered through RRC remain relevant and current, so students are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in a competitive market.

The Business Admin program at RRC is designed to transform students into professionals. Whether you’re a student fresh out of high school or a mother of two, this course is designed for you. And remember – you can do it.

This is my story. What’s your story going to be?

Red River College was a fantastic experience for me. The small class sizes allowed the teacher to know your name and we often engaged in meaningful discussions within classes that solidified concepts better than lectures alone. It also allowed the students to get to know one another within our courses, and the friendship and kinship have lasted beyond graduation.

Resources available to students outside classes such as the tutoring department goes beyond anything I have seen offered elsewhere. There were weekly sessions for many courses, one-on-one time was available, and the people who helped were kind, knowledgeable, and want to see you succeed. As someone who likes to ask many questions, this was the place to do it, and it helped me achieve the grades I desired.

In year two, we took Entrepreneurship or what I call the “capstone course” for RRC. It encompasses everything an individual and team needs to know, do, and experience to develop a viable business plan and execute it confidently. In my opinion, this was the most transferrable course for me once I graduated. We had a team of approx. 12-14 people where differences of views are guaranteed, and we had to learn to compromise as a team, recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and utilize them accordingly. It tested our communication and presentation skills, delegation, time-management, prioritization, writing skills, and critical thinking, to name a few. It was exhilarating, challenging, and we felt a proud sense of accomplishment when finished. Our team had become a little family from the experience we shared. Our instructor was there every step of the way to guide us, re-direct us, and sometimes babysit us. The Entrepreneurship course was my favorite and most applicable course from my experience in RRC.

I am now close to obtaining my marketing degree, and the concepts and experience from RRC have helped me in ways I never realized when I entered university, and as I prepare to enter my career. I keep in touch with some of my instructors and have many within my social media networks. I have gained confidence with presentations and thinking quickly on my feet, and I attribute this to my time at Red River College.

I boast about the College all the time and encourage you to experience what they can do to kick-start your career.

At the end of each rotation in Clinical Practice: Community Health Settings, 3rd year nursing students have the opportunity to utilize the arts to meaningfully reflect on their clinical practice. Students choose from a wide variety of artistic forms to express their reflection including poetry, video, painting, collage, and more. They then present their reflection via WebEx to their peers, which provides a unique way to review and reflect on the key learning experiences/concepts from this rotation. We were happy to have 3 students volunteer to showcase their Creative Reflections from this past term. Please read on and enjoy!

– Tanya Cole RN BScN Nursing Instructor

Natalie Rocan-Menard

“For community clinical 2, we were tasked with representing our clinical experience in a creative manner. It was important for me to try and do something I have never done in the past. Since our rotation was focused on family health promotion and strength-based nursing, I felt the tree of life was a great symbol to represent that experience. I searched for inspiration and stumbled upon a YouTube tutorial for this macrame tree of life. My interpretation of my project is the tree represents the family/client encircled by the community. The roots are the families’ values, health, and past, and the branches the possibilities, the connections with the community and resources that surround them. Community health nurses are in a position to highlight families’ strengths and help grow their connections and family support. In addition, I felt it also represented both our journey as student nurses and the nursing community, and the resources that surround us as we grow into working professionals.”

– Natalie Rocan-Menard SNRRC

Project inspired and tutorial by: MandalaBunny, August 2, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqpJMYFZk7o

Sara Kinfu

“This painting is my friend’s artwork, it is named “Astir”. For me, this piece of art is a representation that life is full of struggles and hope. The people in the painting are inside a blanket and are struggling to get out of it. They seem to be at different stages in their struggle as they try to pull out and rise toward the light. I like to think of the light as a hope. Some of the people in the painting are close to the light while others are far from it. People that we come across in our nursing journey may be struggling because of chronic illnesses, addiction or mental health issues. They may be at different stages in their struggles. Some may have resilience and resources and others may not have that. As student nurses, we may have our own struggles whether the struggle be trying to find ourselves in the profession or expressing ourselves. For me, the main struggle during my journey as a student nurse was juggling school and family. However, what inspired me and helped me to keep moving on is the light or the hope that I saw in front of me. Drawing on my past experiences also played a role in helping me pull through. This helps me to see the strengths and hopes in my patients. I believe that their struggles could facilitate their strength. This is one of the biggest lessons I have learned in my community clinical, to adopt a strength-based practice and to emphasize on individual’s aspirations, resources and potentials instead of their problems. And, I work in partnership with them to maximize on their strengths to reach their goals.”

– Sara Kinfu SNRRC

Artist Credit: Abreha, Y. (2006). Astir [Acrylic].

Michelle Menon

“Community health nurses serve patients in many ways. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team to bring health and healing to vulnerable populations. My creative reflection to resemble the nursing profession includes a stethoscope surrounding a tree. The stethoscope represents the nurse, and the tree can be referred to as the “tree of life”. The tree is interspersed with large sized leaves, which signifies the bigger facilities such as schools, hospitals, and clinics in which nurses are employed in. The smaller leaves represent individuals within the community. You also notice that the leaves are different colours, which represents that nurses are present at every stage of human life, from birth to death, providing care. The green leaves represent birth and younger populations. As individuals get older, the colour of the leaves changes. Adolescence and middle adulthood are symbolized by red and orange leaves, respectively. Older adults are represented by yellow leaves. Finally, as individuals reach their life limit, nurses provide end of life care, this is represented by falling leaves.”

– Michelle Menon SNRRC

Cassidy Bodnik shares her experience and insight since graduating from the BN program in 2020:

Where are you now?

I completed my senior practicum in the NICU at HSC and have been working there since!

How easy was it to find a job after graduation?

I began applying for jobs midway through my senior practicum and acquainted myself with the manager early on, making it clear that I was interested in a position on the unit. I was very fortunate to accept a full time permanent position before I was done my practicum. I would suggest to start working on a resume early on, senior practicum goes by quickly and you don’t want to miss out on your dream job because your resume isn’t updated!

How did you manage the responsibility of going from student to nurse?

Transitioning from student to nurse is tough. I graduated in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and it was a period full of many unknowns, fears and anxiety- all things new nurses already experience without a pandemic. As a new nurse, I recognize situations where I can be independent and situations where I need to reach out for help. I have found that acknowledging that I still have a lot to learn has been helpful in decreasing my anxiety, and has helped me to put less pressure on myself. There are lots of supports in place for new nurses and everyone is more than happy to help!

How did you build your confidence as a new nurse?

With each shift that I work independently, I learn new things and feel more confident in my competency as a nurse in the NICU. I’m always aware of my own knowledge and ask questions if there is ever a time where I am unsure about something. Utilizing all members of the healthcare team is beneficial as well, as everyone has different knowledge and perspectives that they can share. I work very closely with respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and physicians who have all taught me many things. I also take the time to educate and familiarize myself with common diagnoses, assessments, and policies/procedures. Having an understanding of why you are doing something really helps you feel confident as a new nurse. The NICU is a highly specialized area and different from a lot that was taught in nursing school, I still have lots to learn.

Thinking back, what were the most important lessons from school that you took into the workforce?

The importance of communication! In first year, I wondered why we needed to have so many courses about communication, and now I understand. Many of my responsibilities as a nurse revolve around communication. Whether it’s educating families about their child who was born premature or if I am contacting a member of the health care team with critical information, communication is an integral part of my job.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were a student?

You don’t have to know it all. Studying for hours and memorizing all the little details on a slide seem important at the time, however you really don’t have to know it all, nobody expects you to. Knowledge and experience come with time, and the more you seek out new experiences and learning opportunities on your unit, the better off you’ll be.

What piece of advice would you give to current students?

Enjoy the process of nursing school. It seems like a long time, but before you know it, you’ll be submitting your senior practicum requests and not soon after that you’ll be studying for the NCLEX and asking yourself where the time has gone.

Make as many friends as you can! Nursing school friends understand what you’re going through more than anyone and truly become your best friends.

Remember to make time for self care. There is always an assignment to do, a paper to write or an exam to study for, but making time for yourself is important in staying grounded and in good spirits.

Thank you Cassidy for sharing your experience and words of wisdom!

Congratulations to this year’s award winners! It’s been another different year to say the least and we weren’t able to celebrate as usual with our luncheon, but none the less, the awards were celebrated virtually and in spirit and were well deserved!

The Association of Registered Nurses of Manitoba Medal of Excellence Award – Machaela Cavanagh : This award was established for a graduating nursing student with the highest cumulative GPA and has excelled clinically throughout their program.

Machaela Cavanagh

Jean Burrows Award Scholarship – Haley McKay : Jean Burrows was the Nursing Department Chair from 1974 to 1998, and upon her retirement, this scholarship was created for a first year student recognizing their outstanding academic achievement.

Bernice Parrott Award – Hailey Campbell, William Gibson, Jalen Roldan, Shannon Bianca Hiebert Sawatzky, Chelsa Chernoff, Rex Gonzales, Kowthar Mohamed, Jessica Woloshyn : This award was established to provide financial assistance to deserving students entering their second or third year in the BN program, to recognize their hard work and efforts.

Hailey Campbell

Shannon Bianca Hiebert Sawatzky

Chelsa Chernoff

Rex Gonzales

Kowthar Mohamed

Jessica Woloshyn

Nursing Students Endowment Scholarship – Emma Collins, Machaela Cavanagh : This award was established from students who, in 1997 as part of their tuition fees, contributed to this endowment fund. In 2001, a portion of the money was dedicated to the creation of this award. The class of 2002 also made a sizable contribution from their own fundraising efforts.

Emma Collins

Machaela Cavanagh

Nursing Legacy Award – Jamie Harland, Michaela Miller, Samantha Thompson, Johanna Toews, Emma Collins, Machaela Cavanagh, Karli-Anne Berezowski, Sydney Plett, Haley Mckay, Kirsten Yaholkoski : This award recognizes outstanding clinical performance of students in years one to three. A student in Nursing Techniques 3 is also recognized for excelling in both their academic and skill performance, while the Health Assessment award recognizes a student who has outstanding academic achievement in both Health Assessment courses. This award was established by combining sources from the Stanton Family, the Duncan Family, and Phyllis Aaron, along with the Nursing faculty.

Jamie Harland

Machaela Cavanagh

Karli-Anne Berezowski

Emma Collins

Kirsten Yaholkoski

Michaela Miller

Thorey Johnson Nursing Award – Melanie Edwards, Jason Juell, Kayla Smith : In honor of their mother, Mrs. Johnson’s daughters have established this scholarship for a nursing student who has expressed a special interest in rural nursing practice.

Nursing Leadership Award – Michaela Miller, Amy McDonald : This award is for deserving students who have gone above and beyond in support and leadership of their peers. This award was established by the awards committee, with nominations from faculty and peers.

Amy McDonald

Michaela Miller

Discipline of Professional Nursing Award – Nicole Bonenfant, Jorien Friesen, Rachel Hotson : This award is presented to students for their outstanding achievement in the courses of Discipline of Professional Nursing 1-5.

Mary Langhan Nursing Award – Britainnie Pillar : This award is presented to a third year student who has demonstrated a high level of skill in the clinical setting and has expressed a special interest in obstetrics and gynecology.

Britainnie Pillar

Karla Ferens Award – Tylar Ehlan Takvam, Angelina Perea Rodallega : This award recipient has displayed the same accomplishments exhibited by Karla Ferens: involvement in sports and leadership qualities. Karla was a 2011 RRC graduate of the Health Care Aid program.

Tylar Ehlan Takvam

Community Service Award – Sarah Fordham, Ryan Penner : This award is presented to second and third year students who have volunteered for a community agency while maintaining sound academic achievement.

Ryan Penner

Karen Wall Indigenous Nursing Student Award – Lauren Thompson : This award is presented to a third year student of Canadian Indigenous heritage who has achieved academic success in the BN program and has demonstrated leadership within the Indigenous community.

Elizabeth Scaife Memorial Award – Ramanpreet Kaur Kainth : This award is presented to a BPIEN (Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses) student who demonstrated outstanding academic and clinical performance.

Ramanpreet Kaur Kainth

Written by Jennifer Johnson – Nursing Lab Manager
with descriptions of awards courtesy of the Nursing Awards Committee