Happy ( Unexpected ) Academic New Year : Tapping Leadership and The Nursing Process for Resilient Nursing Student Associations
By Carol Toussie Weingarten and Caitlin Gomes
Across the United States , nursing programs re-opened for Fall 2021 classes with aspirations for full capacity . After more than 18 austere months , including transition to emergency remote teaching , virtual clinicals , varying degrees of lockdown , altered academic schedules , and virtual state and national conventions and conferences , everyone hungered to be back to normal . The “ normal ” prior to 2020 is not what happened .
As the new academic year began with everyone together , rates of COVID soared . Uncertainty about mask-wearing , actions related to COVID outbreaks , and ambiguity about scheduling in-person versus online classes for part or all the Fall semester became stressful issues . After Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans as a Category 4 Hurricane , schools in Louisiana and other locations in its path closed or delayed opening . Moving northward as a Tropical Depression , the storm brought immense flooding and tornadoes that took lives and property . While floods , heavy rains , and tornadoes rampaged through the East and South , states like Arizona and California faced high temperatures , droughts , and wildfires . No part of the country is without concern about climate . In this time of uncertainty , emergency , and complex change , leadership and resilience at the chapter , state , and national levels help the Student Nurses Associations ( SNAs ) thrive .
Originally , this issue of Imprint was to be called Bye Bye Zoom : Back to the Classroom . Instead , technology such as Zoom continues to foster inclusiveness , online continuing nursing education , and the success of SNAs when disasters or situations related to COVID affect in-person attendance . This technology fosters inclusion because members from fast-track , traditional , and transfer programs can participate together from their schools , homes , or other locations .
As they did through the pandemic when campuses closed to in-person teaching , local chapters , state associations , and NSNA adapted by providing creative programming and projects using technology , such as Zoom , to connect across different locations and time zones . Read on for success strategies that recognize the importance of leadership and use the framework of the nursing process to assess , plan , implement , and evaluate .
Leadership , especially in uncertain times , inspires , focuses , empowers , and helps individuals and groups to be resilient and thrive . Begin with a meeting between the association ’ s president and advisor or consultant . Discuss how you can work together and identify strengths and challenges . Meet with the SNA ’ s Board . Whether in-person or on Zoom , introduce everyone and arrange opportunities for Board members to talk together .
( Continued on page 35 )
34 NSNA IMPRINT • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 • www . nsna . org