170 UCalgary nursing students get Connect Care training over four days in pilot project

A Connect Care training pilot project between the University of Calgary's faculties of Nursing and Arts and Alberta Health Services demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary relationships and how collaboration among community partners can streamline processes to improve the student experience.

Connect Care is the bridge between information, health-care teams and patients. It is a clinical information system that allows health-care providers a central access point to patient information, common clinical standards and best health-care practices.

In late August, right before the start of the fall term, UCalgary Nursing was part of a pilot establishing AHS satellite training labs at select schools. Working with the Faculty of Arts to upgrade a computer lab in Social Sciences, UCalgary Nursing purchased 114 additional computer monitors and headsets so students could complete Connect Care training entirely via Zoom.

Nursing students require access to Connect Care prior to beginning their practicums and are required to complete in-person training 10 business days prior to the start of the semester, as most clinical placement sites utilize Connect Care. Students will only complete the Connect Care roles required for their specific placement.

From Aug. 26 to 29, 170 UCalgary Nursing students completed their Connect Care training. The pilot was a huge success," says Dr. Zahra Shajani, BN'02, EdD, interim associate dean of undergraduate programs for Nursing.

“It was successful thanks to our partners at AHS and the Faculty of Arts and their commitment to working together toward a common goal because, as an academic partner, we could support in terms of resources,” she says.

“This is what happens when everyone comes to the table engaged with an open dialogue ready to share resources in a meaningful way. At the end of the day, it’s about the success of our students and improved patient care.”

Prior to this pilot, students completed training in person at various locations around the city, including computer labs at the hospitals, Southport or Richmond Road diagnostics and other AHS sites across the city, and scheduling was handled by AHS directly. In the pilot, Rachelle Dahlke, BA'03, clinical placement specialist, managed communications with students and liaised with AHS partners and UCalgary staff to execute the training sessions smoothly.

The streamlined process of this Connect Care training pilot meant that what used to take place over three weeks or so in August was completed in just four days, says Dave Patterson, BN'08, MN'19, interim associate dean of undergraduate practice education for UCalgary Nursing. 

“For our students, it gave them an extra week of vacation," he says. "That’s important because they need to be able to recharge before the start of term.”