Chantelle Walker, master of nursing student, explores the experiences of diabetes among Indigenous women in Southwestern Ontario

Recently I was able to catch up with Chantelle Walker to find out more about her master’s research project (MRP) and experience as a graduate student at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing (DCSN) at the Faculty of Community Services (FCS). Once completed, this MRP and others can be found online as part of the DCSN MRP database. In her own words:

What is your research project about? What attracted you to this subject matter?

My goal is to learn how rural-dwelling Indigenous women with diabetes experienced western healthcare services through their own stories. After providing diabetes services at an Indigenous community health fair and only having a small group of participants visit the booth, I became interested in knowing more about the diabetes experiences of Indigenous peoples, particularly the marginalized populations, such as Indigenous women. In addition to access barriers, language barriers, racism, and discrimination, diabetes care is a major obstacle for Indigenous women. Studies examining the healthcare experiences of Indigenous women in Southwest Ontario with type 2 diabetes are limited. Understanding chronic illness from the patient’s point of view re-enforces the value of person-centred holistic care, especially in consultations with patients in outpatient diabetes clinics.

Why did you choose to do this work at the DCSN?

At the DCSN, I have been encouraged to pursue my interests and curiosity in promoting positive social change in my community. To envision a positive change in society, including multiple perspectives through collaborative efforts and teamwork is crucial. Integrity, innovation, and collaboration play a major role in promoting positive change in the DCSN and FCS community. Developing new approaches to teaching, research, and learning is key to addressing the challenges facing society today.

How has COVID-19 affected your research project?

Participant observation was replaced with online interviews in my research during COVID. There was a need for participants to access technology, and in some cases, the ability to communicate in this way was new to them. This change presented an opportunity to facilitate online learning together with myself and my research participants. This meant that I couldn’t conduct fieldwork as I had originally planned. I had to reevaluate the scope of my project, reapply for ethics, and change my theoretical approaches. With the help of my thesis supervisor, professor Jasna Schwind and the assistance of my committee members professors Louela Manankil-Rankin (external link) , Oona St. Amant, and Sandra Juutilainen,  I successfully turned my research approach around.

What do you see for your future and the impact of your research?

I envision myself incorporating and facilitating the inclusion of Indigenous-specific contexts in diabetes management. Together, healthcare professionals need to articulate chronic illness stages. We need to work together as an inter-professional and an interdisciplinary team to create person-centred holistic approaches to care provision. The health and well-being of all people and communities, especially the marginalized such as Indigenous women, will improve only when all patients, families, and community members speak with an affirmative voice about the care they want and how it should be provided.

What have been some highlights of your MRP experience?

As a DCSN student, one of the biggest highlights of my MRP experience is having the opportunity to be a guest lecturer to discuss topics related to my thesis for the courses Qualitative Research Methods and the Nature of Knowledge Development. As a guest lecturer, I had the opportunity to give back and pay forward to the nursing profession and my nursing peers. The opportunities to teach at DCSN have enlarged the conception of my role and helped me approach it from new perspectives. Meeting Professor Jasna Scwind and spending time with her allowed my thesis research to truly come alive. The thesis committee has also expressed interest in it and provided valuable feedback. They have all continued to believe in this project and have been so supportive of it!

What have been some unexpected obstacles on your journey? How have you overcome them?

Conducting graduate research was made more difficult by the Coronavirus. Due to the digital learning method, lack of face-to-face interaction, and encountering my own illness trajectory, completing my thesis was difficult. The transition to completely online instruction was a lengthy and thought-out process. Don't let the work you do get in the way of your passion. Engage with your professors, peers, and colleagues. Consider your short- and long-term goals and take time to care for yourself. Don't take on more than you can handle. Taking on too many roles will mean that you cannot deliver great performances in all of them.

What would you say to someone considering graduate work at DCSN or one of the other schools at FCS?

I would recommend the MRP to anyone who wishes to become more knowledgeable, able, and committed to their area of professional interest. Finding and exploring things you are passionate about will help you focus and open up some amazing opportunities. Completing an MRP at the DCSN in FCS has given me the opportunity to demonstrate significant knowledge and skills in the field of professional nursing.

Graduate work can be all-consuming.  What are some things you do to maintain a work-life balance?

Through focusing on maintaining and building supportive networks, I was able to thrive during the many challenges I faced with my thesis project. To finish my degree, I needed support outside of academics. The graduate school experience can be challenging. When I was experiencing mental health challenges, I connected with Ryerson’s Student Wellbeing and received counselling. The support and tools were readily available, and staff were approachable. I wish to thank everyone at the centre for supporting students like myself. Don't struggle in silence! 

Graduate Research Series

This past summer graduate students at the Faculty of Community Services (FCS) were invited to tell us about their research projects and graduate studies experience. This is part of a series of introductory profiles about graduate students, their research and their advice for prospective graduate students. It is our hope you are as inspired by their research efforts and success as we are.  If you would like to submit a story idea for consideration please contact Bonte Minnema at bminnema@torontomu.ca.