Attending her first-ever CFNU Biennial Convention, Vanessa Fewer\u2014newly sworn in as Region One\u2019s representative on the RNU Board of Directors\u2014admits she felt a little overwhelmed at first. But with time to reflect, she\u2019s come away with powerful takeaways that are already influencing both her practice and her union engagement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe message about saying no really resonated with me,\u201d Vanessa said. \u201cI\u2019ve always been a people pleaser, but learning to say no to unpaid extras and unrealistic expectations has already made a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the most impactful experiences for Vanessa was the CFNU\u2019s formal apology to First Nations, Inuit, and M\u00e9tis peoples, combined with a sunrise ceremony and blanket exercise. Having worked closely with Indigenous populations in Labrador, the experience deepened her understanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I knew the background, but the blanket exercise gave me a completely different perspective,\u201d she shared. \u201cIt helped me recognize some unconscious biases and really understand how intergenerational trauma affects behaviour and family dynamics. That understanding will change how I practice.\u201d Vanessa also has begun sharing some of the knowledge she learned at convention with colleagues.<\/p>\n
The convention also rekindled her passion for union work after a brief period of stepping back. \u201cBeing surrounded by nurses from across Canada who share the same challenges was eye-opening,\u201d she said. \u201cIt reminded me that I\u2019m not alone\u2014and that we\u2019re stronger together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now back in Labrador, Vanessa feels more engaged than ever. \u201cI\u2019m excited to keep learning, get more involved, and help build a better work environment for nurses. That\u2019s how we\u2019ll protect public health care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her final thought? \u201cI can\u2019t wait for Saskatoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Attending her first-ever CFNU Biennial Convention, Vanessa Fewer\u2014newly sworn in as Region One\u2019s representative on the RNU Board of Directors\u2014admits she felt a little overwhelmed at first. But with time to reflect, she\u2019s come away with powerful takeaways that are already influencing both her practice and her union engagement. \u201cThe message about saying no really […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1354,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[53,70,105],"class_list":["post-1353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rnu-in-action","tag-biennial-convention","tag-cfnu","tag-all-in"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n