Imprint 2022 February/March | Page 7

Membership

Sarah McCloskey Director and Chair , Membership Committee directore @ nsnainc . org
Connecting the Dots : Making the Most of NSNA

A s nursing students , we are the future

of healthcare as well as its foundation .
We all come from our own backgrounds with our own life experiences and beliefs , but find a shared passion for healing and helping others through nursing . During the pandemic , the world saw how crucial nurses are and how our actions save lives . We became real life superheroes in the eyes of many , and it is up to us to maintain this image of nursing and our profession as we leave nursing school and branch out onto the various pathways this field has to offer .
What made you want to become a nurse in the first place ? Was it seeing a compassionate nurse in action when you or a loved one was sick ? Did you find you enjoyed caring for others while helping to heal a sick relative ? Was it a path you found later in life as a second career ? Did you have family members who are nurses that inspired you to follow in their footsteps ? Was it a constellation of factors that led you to where you are today ? No matter how you arrived at your decision to become a nurse , we are glad you are here with us at NSNA . We want to help you succeed throughout nursing school in any way we can so that you may start your journey as a wellrounded , empathetic , and prepared nurse who will continue to make the nursing profession one of
the most respected and trusted . After nursing school , you will not only emerge with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a nurse , but also an advocate , a teacher , and a warrior for patient rights . I urge you to take advantage of all of the opportunities NSNA has to offer so that you may grow , make connections , and have as many experiences as possible that will benefit you on your nursing journey .
Being a part of NSNA means you are a part of a growing community that will support you and future generations of nursing students for years to come . By being a member , you have shown your commitment to improving , not only the nursing profession , but the lives of your future patients and colleagues . Find where your passion truly lies and embrace it so that you can make a difference in a way that means the most to you . As Maya Angelou once said , “ People will forget what you said , people will forget what you did , but people will never forget how you made them feel .” As a nurse , patients and their families will never forget the kindness or compassion you show them , and that is one of the greatest gifts of nursing .
I cannot wait to see everyone at the NSNA 70 th Anniversary Convention ! n
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