A pair of Red River College Nursing students have returned home from an international skills competition with some well-deserved hardware and a greater sense of pride in their work.

Second-year student Elyse Griffith (shown above, third from left) and third-year student Rachel Rubin (holding flag) took first place amongst international student competitors, and earned a silver medal overall, at the seventh annual International Nursing Skills Competition in Shanghai, China, earlier this month.

“Being able to participate in this competition was an incredible experience, and I know I will be a better nurse for having participated,” says Rubin. “I was proud of how we represented RRC on an international level and showed what our students are capable of. It was a great opportunity to learn more about nursing in other countries and see the strengths of the participating students from all around the world.”

This year marked the first time RRC sent a team to the competition, which is hosted by the Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences (SUMHS) in cooperation with the Shanghai Nursing Education Group. To earn their medal, Griffith and Rubin faced off against 15 student teams from around the world— all testing their abilities to assess and react and perform various medical procedures in a series of simulated medical situations.

Preparation for the event was rigorous; in the weeks leading up to the competition, the pair met weekly with instructors Myrna Davis and Sandy Alguire, and with Chris Hofer, a second-year Nursing student selected as the team’s alternate. Each week Davis and Alguire put the team through two possible scenarios, ensuring they would feel comfortable and knowledgeable in the competition.

“I was filled with a sense of pride observing the students during the competition. They were composed, competent and caring,” says Davis (shown, second from left). “Our time in Shanghai allowed us to interact with and learn about many different cultures to improve our own cultural competence, which we can share in the classroom.”

Griffith and Rubin agreed the best part of the competition was meeting other students and being able to share and learn knowledge.

“I appreciated getting to see nursing around the world,” says Griffith. “Canada and Red River College are progressive and modern in their approach to nursing, but other countries do have different ways of doing things and there are tips and tricks we can apply to our practice.”

Participating in international competitions such as this one helps the College to continue building relationships and partnerships with other institutions from across the world. Students and instructors are given the opportunity to share knowledge and bring home new information, allowing RRC to remain a leader in industry training.