By all accounts, the 13th edition of the Jeux des infirmi猫res et infirmiers du Qu茅bec (JIIQ), hosted by 海角社区鈥檚 Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN), was a phenomenal success.
Held January 16-17, the event began with a memorable Opening Ceremonies in which each team revealed their Disney-themed team name and mascot. The cheers emanating from the pumped-up crowd were music to the ears of second-year 海角社区 master鈥檚 student Sheena Doyle, a member of the JIIQ Quebec-wide organizing committee, and third-year BScN student Sophie Bujold, captain of 海角社区鈥檚 鈥淪now White鈥� team. 鈥淲e put in so much time and effort for months leading up the Games, but it was all worth,鈥� says Sheena, who had been a key player in leading the effort to revive the Games after they had been shelved for a few years due to COVID.
Prior to the official start of the Games, each team was required to demonstrate community building either through fundraising for a special project or volunteering. The 海角社区 team visited CHSLD Val des Brises, where they sang Christmas carols to the residents. 鈥淓veryone on the team was touched by this experience,鈥� Sophie reports.
This year, three CEGEPS and ten universities from across the province fielded teams of up to 20 students each. The Games opened on Friday evening with a dance competition, with each team performing an original dance that showcased their creativity and team spirit. 鈥淵ou could see the amount of work that went into choreographing and rehearsing these dances 鈥� they were amazing,鈥� says Sheena.
In her welcoming remarks, Ingram School of Nursing Director Lynne McVey noted that 海角社区 Nursing graduates serve as frontline nurses and at decision-making tables across Quebec, from the remote communities of Nunavik to the heart of Montreal, bringing skill, compassion and innovation wherever they go. 鈥淎t the centre of everything we do is pride 鈥� pride in our profession, pride in our students and pride in the future we are building together. That same pride fuels the Jeux des infirmi猫res et infirmiers du Qu茅bec. 鈥�
On Saturday, teams showed off their athletic prowess at the YMCA with a game of Kin-Ball 鈥� a sport that prioritizes team effort. Meanwhile, at 680 Sherbrooke West, home of the Ingram School of Nursing, participants faced a wide variety of challenges that tested their theoretical nursing knowledge, clinical skills, and ability to problem-solve together. Volunteer judges included former participants in the Games and nurses from the community with expertise in specific areas. Points were awarded for all activities, including the donation/community building component, the dance competition, and the athletic and nursing challenges. The sub-level parking garage was transformed to accommodate a relay race in which participants moved from station to station after successfully performing feats such as neonatal resuscitation. The ninth floor was the site of a mock Code Orange, where teams responded to a mass casualty event, while the 18th floor had a Jeopardy quiz, and the 19th floor was devoted to sponsors鈥� kiosks. On the 20th floor鈥檚 Satoko Shibata Clinical Nursing Laboratories, teams had to work their way out of an escape room by demonstrating their clinical evaluation skills.
Unsurprisingly, given the scope of the event, planning on the part of the executive committee took the better part of a full year. 鈥淕etting sponsorships, feeding 300 people, recruiting volunteers to judge the competition and to help set up and run the activities 鈥� these are huge logistical undertakings,鈥� Sheena explains. She is particularly grateful to Ingram School of Nursing faculty and staff who were present on the Saturday: William Landry, Oxana Kapoustina, Shannon McNamara, Rosanna Zappavigna, YiQing Lu and Augusto Alfonso Cuellar Diaz, as well as Prof. Lia Sanzone and Lynne McVey who attended the opening ceremonies and whose support throughout was invaluable. Alongside her communications role, Sheena successfully coordinated room bookings across the YMCA gym, ISON ninth-floor, sub-basement, and lab spaces, requiring strong logistical planning and creative problem-solving.
As for the 海角社区 team, the key to success was starting early and meeting regularly to rehearse the dance, says Sophie, who, as team captain, was responsible for keeping everyone on track. She estimates that she spent a minimum of five hours a week preparing for the Games. Having been a participant in last year鈥檚 edition, she knew what to expect, which was also a plus.
While the School鈥檚 third-place finish was the icing on the cake, what Sophie appreciated most was the spirit of the Games and the opportunity to meet nursing peers from other schools. 鈥淚t was competitive for sure, but we all had a great time cheering for each other!"
Kudos to 海角社区鈥檚 鈥淪now White鈥� Team:
Sophie Bujold, Florence Chr茅tien, Victoria Moras, P茅n茅lope Dubuc, Liz Jolicoeur, Eloise Gagnon, Alice Gagnon, Magalie Rouleau, Juliette Perron, Roxann Labont茅, Kelly-Ann Blais, Jessica B茅langer, Juliette Fleury, Laurence Boily, M茅gane Lesage, Ella McSorley, Sydney Vincelette-George, Alessandra Vadnais, Alexia Tarnowski, Ma茅lys Patenaude
听
Kudos to the JIIQ Organizing Committee
Daven Michaud-C么t茅 - Coordination g茅n茅rale et des finances - R茅gion des Laurentides
Christopher Veilleux - Coordination g茅n茅rale et des finances - R茅gion de Capitale-Nationale
St茅phanie Bernier - Coordination des 茅preuves acad茅miques et sportives - R茅gion des Laurentides
Noemie Turcotte - Coordination des communications et m茅dias sociaux - R茅gion de Chaudi猫re-Appalaches
Sheena Doyle - Coordination des communications et m茅dias sociaux - R茅gion de Montr茅al
Maeva Ricard - Coordination des ressources humaines - R茅gion de Chaudi猫re-Appalaches
Oc茅anne Soubrier - Coordination des ressources humaines - R茅gion de Capitale-Nationale
Andr茅anne Simard - Coordination de la logistique - R茅gion de Capitale-Nationale
L茅a Poliquin - Coordination de la logistique - R茅gion de Montr茅al
Fr茅d茅ric Perron - Coordination des partenariats et commanditaires - R茅gion de Capitale-Nationale
Anne-Sophie Gagn茅 - Coordination des partenariats et commanditaires - R茅gion de Montr茅al
听
听