Editorial
Hi NSNA Members ,
I hope that finals have gone well and that you are enjoying a small break of rest and relaxation before spring term sneaks up on us . Whether you are celebrating the holiday season with family this year or picking up some extra holiday pay , please remember to take care of yourself mentally and physically .
Don ’ t worry , I am going to skip right over the part in which I talk about yoga and meditation as I am sure you ’ ve heard it all before . I would like to touch on a different form of self-care : Preparation . Hear me out , I know that sounds like the antithesis of leisurely but investing a bit more time in setting yourself up for success can save you stress , time , and tears .
This edition of Imprint is aptly titled “ No More Crying After Clinical ,” because inside you will find all the tools you need to have effective and organized days at clinical . Head to page 26 to read clinical survival tips from NSNA members across the country ! On page 38 , eight Lee University students give us the lowdown on everything from coping with your first code to meal prepping ! Whether it ’ s your first semester on the unit or your last , you will benefit 100 % from gaining new perspectives !
Self-care can look like a resting in a quiet room with candles , but it can also look like taking a moment to be “ present ” amid a chaotic clinical day . Dr . May , Dr . Fontaine ( University of Virginia ) and Dr . Cunningham ( Emory Healthcare ) teach us the power of presence and share some self-care strategies that can be used to calm your mind on demand . Pop over to page 33 to add some of their “ Self-Care Superpowers ” to your toolbelt .
As a new year approaches , it ’ s a busy transition time for NSNA chapters everywhere . It ’ s time to start planning ways to improve your school / state NSNA chapter . Join Director North and Membership Committee Chair Crystal Nettles as she gives advice on bettering yourself and your members ! Ready to start a chapter ? Find out how to get going on page 6 .
While we aren ’ t crying after clinical in 2023 , we are catching flights to Nashville . How ’ s that for a New Year ’ s resolution ? Join us April 12-15 , 2023 for the NSNA 71st Annual Convention , “ Reflection : A Catalyst for Change ,” at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville , TN . Registration at www . nsnaconvention . org closes on March 30th . Trust me , you will not want to miss out .
Pre-clinical anxiety is normal guys . In fact , it would be more concerning if you didn ’ t feel a bit on edge about the chance of making a potentially life-altering mistake . The key is channeling your nervous anticipation into confident preparation . The work you do now lays the foundation for the type of nurse you are going to be upon graduation . If you can figure out how organize yourself for 8-hour clinicals , all while balancing the stress of extracurriculars and assignments , 12-hour shifts will have nothing on you ! I hope this issue of Imprint has been beneficial and if there ’ s anything else I can help you with feel free to email me at imprinteditor @ nsnainc . org . I wish you tons of holiday cheer , and zero post-clinical tears . n
Azariah Torain Imprint Editor
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