Connections. NSNA: Students Discover the Power of Nursing. Shepherd University Student Nurses Association (SUSNA) : Moving Forward

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1 Connections V O L U M E I, I S S U E 4 S U M M E R, NSNA: Students Discover the Power of Nursing I N T H I S I S S U E : NSNA Convention 1 SUSNA 1 Diversity and Cultural Competence Day 2 Your Voice 3 Summer Relaxation 3 On Tuesday, April 11, 15 students and 3 faculty/staff boarded a bus headed for Pittsburgh, PA. Destination: The National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) 60th Anniversary Convention and Alumni Reunion. There was an aura of excitement coming from everyone as we traveled down the road, and as we pulled up to the convention center, where the power of student nursing and the opportunities awaited. The convention spanned over the next four days, and each student absorbed the knowledge that was readily being offered. Students participated in the 3 day NCLEX review, Red Cross Certification and daily seminar sessions ranging from Bylaws and Policies to Pharmacology Made Insanely Easy (yes, singing was involved). There were plenary sessions where a range of professionals offered encouragement, inspiration, and empowerment to student nurses across the Nation. Information was gained, friendships were made, a city was explored. Ultimately, the Shepherd students that attended this Convention came back charged and ready to share that energy with the entire student body and faculty/staff at Shepherd University. There was also a student forum held on April 20, 2012 encouraging nursing students to become involved in future opportunities in SUSNA and NSNA. Congrats and Best Wishes! 4/ 5 Shepherd University Student Nurses Association (SUSNA) : Moving Forward Upcoming Events Staff Directory 6 7 The last SUSNA meeting of the Spring Semester was held on April 18th, with the focus on looking forward to the Fall semester. Members discussed areas of growth and how they could bridge the energy and information that they received at the NSNA Convention to the Shepherd University Nursing Community. Some areas that were discussed, included: mentorship, organizational leadership, bone marrow drive, community outreach (blood pressure/glucose screening), and fundraising ideas. If you are interested in learning more and joining the SUSNA, please contact Robin Soukup (rsouku01@rams.shepherd.edu) or Christina Rodriguez (crodri01@rams.shepherd.edu).

2 Diversity and Cultural Competence Day Special Thank You to Dr. Beverly Malone Pictured below (from L to R): Dr. Clarise Ottley, Dr. Suzanne Shipley, Dr. Beverly Malone On behalf of the Shepherd University Department of Nursing Education, the Division of Student Affairs, Multicultural Student Affairs, and the Diversity and Equity Committee, we would like to thank all students, faculty, and staff that participated in the empowering day of workshops and keynote address by Dr. Beverly Malone (CEO, National League for Nursing). Her knowledge and words of inspiration offered the campus the guidance needed to bring awareness of how we can work on the foundation of building a strong campus community rooted in diversity and cultural competence. Pictured below: Dr. Thomas Seagar, VP Student Affairs Volume I, Issue 4 2

3 Thank you to the Pre-Nursing, Level I, and Level 4 cohorts that completed the PASSS Survey for Spring We received a lot of great feedback, and we wanted to take the opportunity to share the information that was gathered. All three cohorts were asked a question about what they would benefit from in next year s workshops. For freshman, the main areas of interest included campus resources, time management, group study sessions, and Your Voice sessions with nursing students and faculty. From the Junior s perspective, the primary focus was on NCLEX review, APA formatting, and stress. For those Seniors that took the survey, the question was focused on how to better serve incoming Level 4 students, and they felt that a focus on nursing application/ background check within the first week would be helpful, mentoring/support, and NCLEX review and test taking strategies were important. The majority of students responded that the PASSS program and staff were instrumental in their academic success through the structured program, tutoring opportunities, and workshops. Also, for 95% of students taking the survey, was the best way for the PASSS team to communicate opportunities and information to you. We look forward to continuing to grow and improve as a support team for you! Then followed that beautiful season... Summer... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Summer Relaxation...Ahhhhh! Preparing for this article, the anticipation was that it would be filled with ideas on how to soak up the sun (safely) and to encourage you to take a get-a-way vacation, destination unknown. During that search, an article was found that was A) more realistic and B) more relevant for those of you navigating the life of a nursing student. The article discussed relaxation techniques, specifically for nursing students who tend to juggle personal and professional responsibilities. It discussed the benefit for all living creatures to incorporate relaxation into their lives, but that this tends to be the exception, not the norm due to high levels of stress. The author (Lisette Shanhai, RN, BSN, CRP) provided a relaxation technique that is available to us 24 hours a day.breathing. The following is a free, portable, and preventive measure for you to practice: Lie on your back with a pillow under your head. Bend your knees (or put a small pillow under them) to relax your abdomen. Put one hand on your abdomen, just below your rib cage. Slowly breathe in through your nose. You should feel your abdomen rising. Exhale slowly through your mouth; emptying your lungs completely and letting your abdomen fall as your stress melts away. Repeat several times until you feel calm and relaxed. Practice daily, anywhere at any time. Enjoy and take time out for yourself to renew your mind and body for the coming semester. (Reference: yourstudies_0709.html Volume I, Issue 4 3

4 Congratulations, Class of Spring 2012! Beatrice Sarah Stockman Carter Alexandra Decker * Diane Margaret DePatto* Bethany Danielle Dunkle Rhonda Christine Elliot, RN Nichole Marie Fusco * Amber Michelle Galanos Stacy George Jorgenia Muryel Holmes Jonathon David Humbert * Bethany Ann Lafferre Susan Marie Morse Jacquelynn Lee Ortega Cara Beth Parks Daniella Dominica Peduzzi * Crystal Joy Radcliff Lisa Rae Reynolds Jessica Renee Sheppard Danielle Anne Shields Hao-Hong Truong * Mercie Noel Turner Amanda Dawn Watson * Bethany Leigh Winburn * Andrew Dylan Young * Nursing Honor Society Best Wishes Professor Hess! Pictured above (from L to R): Robin Soukup, President (SUSNA) and Professor Lynne Hess During the SUSNA forum highlighting the NSNA Convention on April 20, 2012, Professor Hess was recognized for her service in the Department of Nursing Education. We wish her well in her next venture with the Veteran s Administration! Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student Success Volume I, Issue 4 4

5 Congratulations, PASSS participants that made the Dean s List for the Spring Semester of 2012! Pre-Nursing Jasmine Allanson-Redmon Brock Martin Brooke Robinson Holly Ruggles Rebekah Shaffer Logan Smith Sarah Smith Level 4 Seniors Alexandra Decker Stacy George Bethany Lafferre Crystal Radcliff Bethany Winburn Andrew Young Volume I, Issue 4 5

6 Academic Calendar, Fall /24/12- Add/Drop and Late Registration (Late Fee Applies) via RAIL begins at 5:00 pm (All hours except 4:00 am-8:00 am) 8/27/12- Classes Begin Add/Drop and Late Registration (Late Fee Applies), via RAIL or at Ikenberry Hall, 9:00 am-4:00 pm -- Consult Advisor 8/28/12 Mandatory Nursing Assembly Time for Levels TBA 8/31/12- Last Day to Add/Drop or Late Register via RAIL or at Ikenberry Hall, 9:00 a-4:00p-- Consult Advisor 9/3/12- Labor Day -- Holiday 9/7/12- Last Day for Instructor-Approved Late Adds via RAIL. 9/10/12-Last Day to Change a Course from Credit to Pass/Fail Status 9/17/12-Last Day to Change a Course from Credit to Audit Status 9/28/12-Last Day to Withdraw from first-half-of-semester class -- See Advisor by Noon 10/8/12-10/22/12- Mid-term Exams 10/12/12- Last Day to Apply for May 2013 Graduation (Registrar's Office) 10/15/12- Mid-term Grades Due -- 9:00 am; second-half-of-semester classes begin 10/18/12-10/19/12- Fall Break 10/24/12- First Day of Academic Advisement for Continuing Students for Spring /26/12- Last Day to Withdraw from a Full Semester Class -- See Advisor by Noon. 11/5/12- First Day of Spring 2013 RAIL Registration for Continuing Students; 9:00a-4:00p 11/7/12- Last Day of Academic Advisement for Continuing Students for Spring /18/12-11/25/12- Thanksgiving Recess 11/30/12- Last Day to Withdraw from second-half-of-semester classes-see Advisor by Noon 12/7/12- Last Day of Classes; Last Day for Complete Withdrawal from Semester 12/10/12-12/14/12- Final Exams 12/17/12- First Semester Grades Due 9:00 am -- End of First Semester 12/19/12- Grades will be available via RAIL (tentative) Please reference Shepherd University s website for updates and revisions at: Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student Success Volume I, Issue 4 6

7 S H E P H E R D U N I V E R S I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F N U R S I N G E D U C A T I O N H R S A N W D G R A N T P A S S S P R O G R A M P.O. BOX 5000 Shepherdstown, WV Editor: Heidi Moore Phone: Fax: hmoore@shepherd.edu Pictured above: Shepherd University Nursing students participating in the NSNA/SUSNA forum held on April 20, 2012 in the Erma Ora Byrd building. HRSA NWD Grant PASSS Program Staff Dr. Sharon Mailey Chair, Department of Nursing Education Senior Project Advisor smailey@shepherd.edu Wendy Baracka, MSW Academic Improvement Specialist wbaracka@shepherd.edu Dr. Clarise Ottley Associate Professor, Department of Nursing Education Project Director cottley@shepherd.edu Patty Cowan, BBA Administrative Assistant pcowan@shepherd.edu Heidi Moore, LGSW Social Support Specialist hmoore@shepherd.edu