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heard about the BTN Director position while attending the NVNSA convention , when Janelle Willis , the Chief Executive Officer for the NVNSA , called for a volunteer from the crowd to become the BTN Director . After hearing more about the job , especially its focus on service and diversity , Lidia knew this was something she wanted to pursue .
As BTN Director , Lidia oversees the themes that BTN chooses for each month . This past September the theme I ’ ll Be There for You , inspired by the famed Friends theme song , emphasized the importance of nurses supporting one another . Since healthcare professionals almost always deliver care as a team , BTN focused on this theme to make nursing students aware of the importance of cultivating positive teamwork dynamics . With Lidia as Director , the NVNSA was selected as the NSNA BTN monthly winner for September 2022 .
BTN ’ s October theme , Who Are We ?, focused on the contributions of minorities to nursing , using a “ Future Nurse ” picture-frame to post about nursing students from various backgrounds on social media and highlight their future plans in nursing . Upcoming themes for the NVNSA BTN include discussions on the ethics of nursing practice , stopping nurse burnout , contributions of Black nurses to the field , and the importance of self-care in nursing .
In addition to working with BTN , Lidia helped facilitate the annual Shining Stars of Nursing in Nevada ( SSONN ) Student Nurse Event , which allowed students to hear from inspiring nurses , enjoy a free NCLEX review session , and meet exhibitors at the event .
Outside of nursing , which admittedly takes up most of her time , Lidia spends time with her family , including her parents and several brothers , as well as attending church and Bible studies . Faith and family both play important roles in her life as a nursing student .
With graduation quickly approaching , Lidia is thinking ahead as well . She hopes to work at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas , a government-run Nevada hospital , where she has completed all of her clinicals in nursing school and enjoys the work environment . She is interested in working in critical care , specifically intermediate care , since one of her strengths is critical thinking , with possible future plans to pursue a graduate degree and work as a family nurse practitioner or take a role in nursing leadership .
Lidia ’ s engagement with the nursing community through Breakthrough to Nursing and her passion for clinical practice , both at school and at work , serve as a good example of combining nursing leadership with community engagement , while still focusing on academics and clinical experience . Perhaps next time you attend your student nursing association ’ s state convention and hear about an open position , you will follow Lidia ’ s lead and volunteer , too . •
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