Nursing students at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba, shared their latest research on children’s health with the community during the annual Child and Adolescent Health Fair held on March 27, 2026.
The event, hosted by the Child and Adolescent Health course within the university’s Faculty of Health Studies, featured 56 third-year Bachelor of Nursing students. This turnout marked an increase in participation compared to the inaugural fair held one year prior. Throughout the day, the students presented their projects and answered questions from local parents, health care professionals, and other community members.
The research projects covered a wide range of topics critical to youth well-being, including children’s diseases, vaccine education, nutrition, healthy lifestyle habits, concussion awareness in sports, sickle cell disease, sleep health, and the impact of gaming on mental health. By showcasing this work, the nursing students had the opportunity to apply their training to real-world health topics while engaging directly with the families they will eventually serve as healthcare professionals.
This fair highlights the role of the university in training the next generation of nurses, a key priority as Manitoba works to address significant provincial nursing shortages. Students in the four-year Bachelor of Nursing program, which first graduated a class in May 2007, are trained to work in various settings, including pediatric units, community nursing, and rural hospitals. Local recruitment efforts are often supported by Prairie Mountain Health, which frequently engages with students from the program.
Beyond the classroom, the Faculty of Health Studies maintains a focus on community-connected research through initiatives like the Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health, which was established in 2019. The topics presented by the students reflect broader health concerns, such as the fact that roughly 20 percent of Canadian children and youth will experience some form of mental illness.
