literature to support the resolution in the event there are questions regarding the thoroughness of the literature search . Sometimes students need guidance on additional search terms or other advanced literature searching skills that faculty may use , which offers a key opportunity to role model faculty practices in literature searching . For example , if students are writing a resolution related to massage and decreased pain in breast cancer patients , they can create categories related to the topic ( for example . inpatient vs . outpatient or chemotherapy infusion vs . no chemotherapy infusion ). This enables students to focus their individual literature searches by dividing into smaller groups to research different categories .
Whereas Statements : September , Week 1 By the first week of September , the resolution team meets and shares literature search results . The team continues to refine the resolution topic and identify gaps in the literature .
September , Weeks 2 and 3 The group should identify key points in the literature to be used for resolution development . These key points can be shared on the same shared drive . All points must include the student ’ s name , be cited properly according to APA , and paraphrased , or quoted properly , if needed . This facilitates putting together ther resolution . Once all students have their key points on the shared drive , the points can be printed out and cut apart so that each key point is on its own strip of paper . Then each point can be organized , combined , or deleted as needed to make whereas statements . A draft will then be formed with the “ whereas ” statement as the focused key points starting broad and narrowing down in focus to isolate the core issue of the resolution .
Submission : October Finish by writing the abstract and finalizing the resolution to submit to the NSNA board with a goal completion date of October 1 st . Once the resolution is submitted , it is sent off to the state or national chapters to be screened , vetted , critiqued , and placed on the docket for discussion by the respective delegations .
Conclusion For more resources , visit
https :// www . nsna . org / resolutions-committee . html . Resolution writing engages nursing students in advocacy , policy , and healthcare reform on the state and national levels . It is , therefore , important for nursing faculty to know the process by which these documents are created . By identifying key issues and nursing program leaders , resolution writing becomes a seamless process through which students expand their knowledge and assert positions on topics that relate to nursing practice , values , and ethics . •
References National Student Nurses ’ Association . ( 2021 ). Guidelines for Planning Resolutions for the NSNA House of Delegates . https ://
www . dropbox . com / s / 5mqpw0pof0apn1e / Resolutions % 20Guidelines . pdf ? dl = 0
Guthrie
Sharon Guthrie , PhD , ARNP , CPNP , NCSN , RN-BC , is an associate professor , Director of Graduate Nursing & RN-BSN Programs at Martin-Herold College of Nursing and Health , Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids , IA .
Resolved Statements : September , Weeks 3 and 4 Write and finalize the “ Be it Resolved ” or resolved statements to include what the students want to see happen to address the problem as a result of their research . These statements should also have a focused key idea and should be inclusive of professional nursing organizations at state and national levels . For example , if the resolution focuses on pediatrics , consider including state and national school nurse associations , the state and national pediatric nurse practitioner associations , and so forth . Students should identify how they can share the resolution with organizations that are identified in the resolved statements and how the resolution theme can be incorporated into other nursing student activities such as club activities or local health fairs . Lastly , students should identify whether the resolution topic can be incorporated into state or federal public policy efforts and determine the steps to work with the state nursing association , public policy leaders , or legislators to move resolution topics forward .
Reed
Muehlbauer
Jodee Reed , MSN , RNC-NPT , is an assistant professor , Department of Nursing at Martin-Herold College of Nursing and Health , Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids , IA .
Marshall Muehlbauer , BSN , RN , is an alumnus of Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health .
44 NSNA IMPRINT • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 • www . nsna . org