VEDASTE BAGWENEZA, RN, BScN, MScN

I am a registered Medical Surgical nurse, legally recognized and registered in the Rwandan Nursing Council. I am pursuing my PhD at the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery.

I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Rwanda. I have chosen this work because I need to serve the community, local and international, with quality care and education, and I aspire to have higher academic qualifications. This work helps me to interact with people from different backgrounds and urges me to upgrade my knowledge level. I teach in Medical Surgical Nursing Track, and I lead this track. I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Nursing, and I also completed my secondary studies in Associate Nursing.

I have been teaching nursing and midwifery professionals since 2011 when I was serving as a Tutorial Assistant until September 2017 when I was promoted to the position of Assistant Lecturer until now. I assumed different administrative activities, especially being the Head of Clinical Teaching, and Leading the track of Medical Surgical Nursing. I am also a member of finance committee in the National Council of Nurses and Midwifes, and I am a member of Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Union.

In April 2022, I won a seed grant from the CIRHT-University of Michigan on “Enhancing accessibility to sexual and reproductive health services and rights: inclusive access among teen mothers in Rwamagana district, Rwanda.” This grant is being implemented in the Rwandan district

I was employed as a research assistant in many qualitative project consultancies as follows:

In November 2022, I participated in the qualitative research entitled “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Survey on Maternal, Neonatal, Sexual, and Reproductive Health in Rwanda.” This study is supported by the Belgian project “Enabel” in collaboration with RBC. I was involved in qualitative data collection, transcribed the collected data, conducted analysis using the Atlas.ti. and produced the report.

In August 2022, I participated in the qualitative research entitled “Evaluation of integrated digital primary care: The case of Babyl in Rwanda.” I was involved in qualitative data collection, transcribed the collected data, and analyzed the data using the Atlas.ti. The data were then exported after coding to get the quotations, and the data matrix was filled. Finally, a report was produced.

In April 2022, I participated in the qualitative research entitled “Income Generation Activities (IGAs) Guidelines for Health Facilities in Rwanda.” I was involved in qualitative data collection, transcribed the collected data, and analyzed the data using the Atlas.ti. The data were then exported after coding to get the quotations, and the data matrix was filled. Finally, a report was produced.

In mid-December, 2021: I participated in the qualitative research entitled “The study Protocol for a User Research for Remote Capacity Building of Health Care Providers on Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care (EmONC) In Rwanda.” I collected data in this study, namely focus group discussion, Joint interview, and Key informant interview. I transcribed the data collected, and analyzed the data using the Atlas.ti. The data were then exported after coding to get the quotations, and the data matrix was filled. Finally, a report was produced.

In late November until early December, 2020: I was involved in the baseline survey on “The assessment of the quality of youth corners and other related youth friendly services at the health centers and expectations of young people and the community, Rwanda.” This study is implemented by HDP (Health Development Performance) under Enabel, the Belgium agency for international development through BARAME PROJECT mandate. I was involved in qualitative data collection (Focus group discussions as well as key informant interviews), data analysis using the Atlas.ti.

In August 2020: I was involved in the data collection of Gikuriro program, a project that operated in the districts of Rwanda targeting Nutrition, WASH activities, and Health Services Utilization. I collected data in three districts (Kicukiro, Nyabihu, and Kayaonza). I analyzed data using the Atlas.ti, I was involved in data transcription, coding and report writing.

June, 2020: I was involved in data collection of qualitative research on the project of “All Mothers and Children Count: AMCC” supported by the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) project implemented by the Partners In Health. Data collection was carried out in Burera, Kirehe and Kayonza districts where the Partners In Health operate.

I also transcribed the collected data and coded them using the Atlas.ti software. I also did a report and I was involved in the desk review of the midterm evaluation of the project

April, 2020: I was involved in qualitative data collection at Huye Campus on “Assessment of Implementation of ‘Harmonized’ curriculum for Nursing and Midwifery Education in Rwanda.” I conducted the focus group discussion with staff from Huye Campus, and I transcribed the collected data