Student Newsletter

Teaming Up With BC Transplant

Vancouver Career College is teaming up with BC Transplant to raise awareness about the need for organ donation. April 17-24, 2011 is National Organ Donation Awareness Week and during this time, we want to help spread the word about this important cause. Did you know that as of March 2011, there were 377 people in BC on the organ donor waiting list? In order to continue to raise awareness about organ donation, BC Transplant would like make the cause a little more personal this year.

You’ll hear the story of Eva Markvoort, a cystic fibrosis patient who waited years for a much-needed double lung transplant. Although Eva did eventually receive new lungs, less than two years later her body rejected them and she passed away at the age of 25. Throughout her life, Eva became a strong advocate of organ donation and her family and friends have continued to advocate for the cause. Her journey was captured in the documentary 65_RedRoses, a film that is helping to bring Eva’s story to an even wider audience.

This spring, keep your eyes on Facebook as we announce some big events to support BC Transplant and transplant research in the province.

Are you registered as an organ donor? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook!

April 2011 Newsletter

Community Health Care Program Expands Career Options

Vancouver Career College is encouraging graduates of a Health Care Assistant or Resident Care Attendant program to upgrade their skills this spring by enrolling in the Community Health Care Worker (CHCW) program. By furthering your education, you’ll be qualified for even more jobs in the health care industry. Adding a CHCW credential to your resume will open doors to positions in residential care, mental health and special needs education.

The Community Health Care Worker program is also a great place to start for those looking to enter the health care field for the first time. It gives those interested in health care a chance to work with the elderly, the disabled and those with mental illness. Students will participate in hands-on practicums in each of these settings before graduation, giving them a look into which areas they would best like to base their future careers.

As more health care professionals retire, and take their expertise with them, it will become increasingly important to have as robust a skillset as possible when entering the field. Apply for the Community Health Care Worker program today!

Tips to Ease Stress

Stress is the number one barrier to wellness. Stress makes you tired, irritable, forgetful, depressed and more susceptible to a variety of minor and chronic health problems. Stress makes you turn to addictive substances and other unhealthy choices to get through the day. Here are some helpful tips to curb stress before it gets the better of you.

• Keep a well-organized calendar. Being prepared ahead of time will help you to stay calm.
• Exercise, exercise, exercise! Although the life of a student can be hectic, make time to do something physical at least a couple times a week. Even a 20 minute walk can do wonders to clear your head.
• Take time at the end of each day to unwind. Read a book, take a bath or just sit still.
• Most important: make sure you get enough sleep every night! Stress is compounded when you’re operating on not enough sleep.

How do you manage stress while going to school? What tips can you share with your fellow classmates? We’d love to hear them, so share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you have a story idea or question you'd like answered in next month's newsletter? Send along your ideas or questions to stories@vccollege.ca!

April 2011 Newsletter

Beat Springtime Allergies