The objective of this program is to strengthen nursing research capacity by providing research training opportunities for undergraduate nursing students at UBC-Vancouver.
Undergraduate research studentships are available to BSN students at the UBC School of Nursing. Selected students will be awarded a 4-week, full-time studentship in August 2024, and will receive a $3,000 stipend. To be considered, students must be full-time students in the UBC BSN program.
Interested BSN students are asked to email their resumé, cover letter, and preferred project(s) to merrilee.hughes@ubc.ca by March 18, 2024.
AVAILABLE STUDENTSHIPS INCLUDE:
A survey of key priorities to enhance research and care of older adults with cancer and their caregivers
Research Description: Cancer is most common amongst older adults, who often have distinct needs due to underlying health conditions and social situations, which may, in turn, affect their ability to manage treatments, cope with treatment side effects, and make health care decisions. Moreover, cancer care of older adults is complex, and the current Canadian cancer care system struggles to address all of these dimensions. We recently completed an 18-month province-wide priority setting process to develop a strategic research and care agenda for older adults with cancer. We identified a number of barriers and facilitators to caring for older adults with cancer, from perspectives of healthcare professionals and cancer care allies that included community groups, seniors’ centers, and other community-based supports. We have published one paper but have additional survey data that needs to be analyzed and written up. The grant for this study and we would like to have a student lead this paper.
Role of the Student: Dr. Kristen Haase would like to recruit a BSN student to assist with further data extraction and analyses of data collected during the above priority-setting project. Duties would include working with the PI to clean and analyze data, attending bi-weekly team meetings, leading the drafting of the manuscript, work with the team to circulate the manuscript and incorporate feedback from all patient partners and team members. The student will also work with the team using bio render and Canvas to create plain language summaries of the final results which can be shared with stakeholders.
Students' perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence in academia
Research Description: This research aims to understand students’ perspectives for AI-enabled tools such as ChatGPT being utilized in academic work, the potential challenges and concerns students have, and what needs to be put in place to ensure safe and ethical use of these tools. As AI services grow increasingly popular, it may provide opportunities to enhance learning, as well as offer shortcuts that bypass the learning process. ChatGPT, which is designed to lets users enter prompts to receive humanlike images, text or videos, is generated by AI. This study investigates student attitudes towards using AI services, like ChatGPT, in supporting their academic work.
Role of the Student: The student will be mentored by Dr. Lillian Hung's team to do data management, using Nvivo, data analysis and writing up a manuscript for publication.
Bring joy and happiness to long-term care by co-building an immersive experience program
Research Description: This study aims to co-create a Virtual Immersive Program (VIP) with people with dementia, their caregivers, staff, and decision-makers. The VIP program will be designed to reduce feelings of loneliness and support social connection for people with dementia. The study will explore the positive impact and challenges experienced by the people involved in co-creating the VIP program. The study is inspired by previous research that shows virtual immersive experiences can bring joy and foster the health and well-being of people living with dementia. The study aims to develop a person-centered, needs-driven, accessible, adaptive, and sustainable program for people with dementia in long-term care.
Role of the Student: The student will be mentored by Dr. Lillian Hung's team to do data management, using Nvivo, data analysis and writing up a manuscript for publication.
Packaging Research for Impact: A Wellstream Initiative
Research Description: Wellstream is the Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use. Wellstream is where child and youth mental health and substance use research meets practice and policy for real-world impact. At Wellstream, we identify and respond to the emergent needs of children, youth and their communities. We work with them to deliver solutions that promote positive mental health and wellbeing and minimize substance use harms. We are currently leading projects in youth mental health promotion as well as school-based substance use harm prevention. We are collecting qualitative data through individual interviews and focus groups and quantitative data through surveys. This spring we will launch a survey of school administrators across Canada to better understand how this sector is responding to the substance use learning and intervention needs of youth. We will be working to analyze these data and also to produce various knowledge mobilization products.
Role of the Student: The student will contribute to various Wellstream initiatives with a focus on building skills in knowledge mobilization. The student will assist with activities aimed at developing and implementing a common look and feel/branding across Wellstream knowledge products and will also help with some website management. The student may also assist with some basic data analysis activities involving both qualitative and quantitative data focused on mental health and substance use among youth populations. This could include cleaning data, data entry, simple data analysis, and report writing. These activities will be completed under the supervision of the Wellstream leadership team.