For Dr. Ruth Grant Kalischuk (BN'85, MEd'92), associate dean of nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences, working with graduate students is more than a natural extension of her collaborative research style, it is also extremely rewarding.
"I absolutely love working with graduate students. They come into the Faculty very passionate about a particular subject area. They want to learn more, go deeper and are so excited to learn how to do research. It is about opening doors and possibilities," says Grant Kalischuk.
Grant Kalischuk's research concentrates on three areas: family and healing research, health and environmental research and nursing education research. With her knowledge and expertise, Grant Kalischuk supervises
(l to r) Marilyn Lamb, Tara Vande Griend, Penni Wilson and Ruth Grant Kalishchuk.
Vande Griend, who began teaching clinical nursing at the University in 2006, is set to complete her master's this summer.
"Many instructors are entering academia with only a bachelor of nursing. They don't necessarily have training in education and are thrust into teaching roles. My research looks at the lived experience of novice nursing clinical instructors and how they learn about teaching," explains Vande Griend. "With her experience in nursing education, Ruth has been a constant source of support and encouragement."
As a public health nurse and clinical instructor, Wilson is excited to begin researching issues related to water, population health, and public health nursing.
"I have always had a great interest in population health. The environment has a huge impact on whole populations and water is a huge issue right now," says Wilson.
Lamb is pursuing her master's with a focus on art therapy and end of life care.
"I have seen the benefits of art therapy sessions and I believe there is a place for art therapy in end of life care," says Lamb. "Ruth shares that passion and her passion is contagious. Ideas are always percolating and discussions are lively and enlightening."