Ensure all Board members understand their roles . Resources about leadership and advisement can be found on the National Student Nurses ’ Association , Inc . ( NSNA ) website (
www . nsna . org ).
Using the Nursing Process 1 . Assess what is taking place in your chapter , school , and communities . Everyone has been affected by the pandemic , and many have been stricken by the uncertainty of the start of the academic year and the effects of climate change . What are members experiencing ? What resources does the chapter have ? What strengths and challenges continue ? How has the chapter adapted since the pandemic ? Can the chapter serve as a Mentor Chapter ? Does the SNA have alumni who can serve as speakers or consultants ? Chapters that need assistance also can contact NSNA (
https :// www . nsna . org / contact-us . html ). From your assessment , make a list of strengths , challenges , and priorities . Include not only events , but activities that build teamwork and foster the well-being of members and the SNA .
2 . Plan . From the priorities , create a strategic stepby-step plan that identifies short- and long-term goals . Use your assessment of members ’ personal circumstances and current COVID concerns to include as many members as possible . Identify ways in which each activity planned for the SNA realizes the planned goals . Stay true to the mission and core values of your SNA and NSNA .
For example , at Villanova University all activities link to at least one of the chapter ’ s four pillars of education , professional development , service , and the promotion of networks , friendship , and wellness ; further , these pillars are consistent with NSNA ’ s core values as outlined in NSNA Mission At A Glance (
https :// www . nsna . org / about-nsna . html ). Meetings featuring educational programs also begin with a reception and may feature a nursing trivia game . The event thus meets goals of education , professional development , networking / friendship , and wellness .
3 . Implement . Implementation relates to translating the goals identified through planning into action . Here are a few examples .
a . Enlist support from administration and faculty for the SNA ; their understanding and support are critical to a chapter . Communicating ways that the SNA membership exemplifies goals and strategic plans of the nursing program and the larger college or university helps enlist their support . Scheduling a meeting with the dean and appropriate administrators and requesting time during a faculty meeting are powerful ways to win support for the SNA . Almost all faculty and administration view themselves as student advocates . Becoming educated about the SNA helps them to understand what is taking place and ways they can demonstrate their support .
Prior to any meeting , prepare well . Identify what the individual or group needs to know about the SNA and what outcomes are to be achieved from the meeting . Be sure to arrive attired for a professional meeting whether in-person or virtual . Graciously , provide an update about the SNA and explain why membership is essential for the nursing program as well as students . Share specific ways faculty support can be shown , for example , encouraging membership , attending events when possible , identifying ways NSNA activities can meet course requirements , and providing financial assistance such as gift NSNA memberships and sponsorship to SNA conferences .
Present support opportunities available to faculty and administrators , such as Sustaining Membership in NSNA , the monthly faculty forums , networking with deans , directors , and faculty who are also student advocates , and the continuing education-packed faculty programs at the NSNA conventions and events . Faculty advisors also can communicate news about the SNA at faculty meetings , encourage colleagues to become Sustaining Members , and request support for members and the SNA . For example , the advisor may announce the date of the NSNA convention and specifically ask colleagues to show their advocacy by excusing students from theory and clinical courses and asking students to share their learning through written assignments or verbal presentations .
b . Harness the power of technology . Technologies such as Zoom and social media foster communication that brings understanding , comfort , and support of all kinds to SNA chapters at the local , state , and national levels . NSNA ’ s official handbook , Getting the Pieces to Fit (
https :// www . nsna . org / getting-the-piecesto-fit . html ), is a gold mine of information for chapter , state , and national NSNA leaders . Joint meetings and connections between experienced mentor chapters and advisors can be a strong source of support and strength for chapters .
c . Address mental health and well-being for members and the SNA . The pandemic , along with current and past disasters , have affected everyone . For example , with uncertainty in the academic year , both new and experienced students have had issues with time management , anxiety , and fatigue . Membership may have been affected by transition to virtual platforms .
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