Nursing students showed to have a political edge after attending the 64th annual Nebraska State Student Nurses Association convention.
According to the press release from Mar. 4, the NSSNA has been dedicated to developing a collaborative and cooperative structure between the state’s nursing schools through various aspects since 1948. This collaborative structure focuses on things such as leadership, education, scholarship, legislation and networking.
There were 14 nursing students from Creighton’s campuses that attended the convention on Feb. 16 in Gering, Neb. The convention focused on breakout sessions on a variety of topics, networking events, and an NCLEX (state test seniors must pass to practice nursing) review session. Elections for the NSSNA board also took place during the convention.
The state office elections were held to elect positions for the upcoming academic year. There were a total of four open officer positions, and Creighton students will hold three of those positions. Positions held by Creighton students include president, treasurer and secretary.
“I believe this organization will have a positive effect on my future,” said Jose Bajo, secretary of NSSNA and student from Creighton’s Hastings campus. “It’s also a great way to meet nurses from different places with different specializations.”
Today, networking has proven to be an essential tool in earning a successful career. The newly inducted officers claim that this organization will benefit their futures because of the networking it allows them to do.
“Many human resource personnel go to the conventions to look for prospects,” Bajo said, “They look for future nurses who aren’t afraid to put themselves in front. It’s a win-win situation.”
With three officers on the state board, Creighton nursing students prove to not be afraid of putting themselves out there. At the convention, Kelsey Patience was named the NSSNA Nurse of the Year.
“For me, this is a huge honor that summarizes my dedication to the profession and all of the time and energy I have poured into the local, state and national nurses associations,” Patience said. “I feel proud to represent the profession as a student nurse of integrity, knowledge and passion at the heart of my practice.”
Patience was the president of NSSNA for 2012-2013. For the upcoming school year, sophomore Nick Gabriel will carry on the tradition and hold the presidential position. Gabriel held the secretary position in the 2012-2013 school years as well.
“As the 2013-2014 president I hope to provide the nursing students of Nebraska more opportunities to network and spread the message that nursing is not just a female profession,” Gabriel said.
It is the hope that by attending this convention nursing students will get to know their strengths better, become better leaders and network for the development of a successful future. The students holding office are not only representing Nebraska’s nursing students in positive manor, but the university as whole is being noticed for its excellence in its nursing program.