Learning Connections Conference 2024

The nursing shortages throughout Ontario have shone a light on how difficult it is for nurses to maintain their mental health while being constantly overtaxed in the workplace (Dyer, 2022). In order to raise up a generation of nurses who are able to withstand the stress of nursing while also advocating for workplace safety and work-life balance, undergraduate nursing programs need to provide educational experiences that model a balance between achievement and positive mental health. However, undergraduate nursing education can be a stressful experience (Aloufi et. al, 2021; Reeve et al., 2013). Many mental health interventions that address this target the student, providing them with additional resources that may increase their coping or their resilience (Aloufi, et al., 2021; Windle & Kim, 2021). However, there may be ways in which the undergraduate nursing classroom itself can transform to be more supportive of student mental health while still achieving (or even improving) its educational aims. The study being presented is a continuation of Phase 1, in which undergraduate nursing students took photos which represented ways in which classroom experiences affected their mental health. During phase two, we collect responses to the photos from the public and from nursing educators. This has allowed us to consider the issues raised by the students' photos in a way that encompasses more perspectives. During this session we will share student photos, perspectives gained, and discuss ways in which St. Lawrence College can make changes to positively impact student mental health in the classroom and beyond into the nursing profession. *This scholarship is being shared in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Contemporary Educator Program (CEP).