WHAT’ S HAPPENING
Happenings Across NSNA
By Keirra Birch, 2025-2026 Imprint Happenings Reporter
Student Nurses Association of Illinois( SNAI)
The Student Nurses Association of Illinois( SNAI) has had an impactful and inspiring year, marked by advocacy, leadership, and community engagement. Early in the year, SNAI proudly participated in Student Nurse Political Action Day( SNPAD) at the Illinois State Capitol, where nursing students from across the state gathered to meet with legislators and discuss key healthcare issues. This event provided an invaluable opportunity for students to engage directly in the policy process, strengthen their professional voices, and learn firsthand how advocacy shapes the future of nursing practice and patient care in Illinois.
Most recently, SNAI hosted its 76th Annual State Convention, themed“ Rising to the Call: Empowering the Next Generation of Nurses.” The conference brought together nursing students, educators, and healthcare leaders for a day of professional growth, networking, and celebration. Featured speaker Karen Battaglia, one of the first nurses to run for the Illinois State Legislature, inspired attendees to embrace political engagement as a means to influence the future of healthcare. Educational sessions, NCLEX preparation workshops, and a dynamic new graduate panel offered valuable insights, while the exhibitor hall connected students with schools and employers from across the state. These hallmark events reflect SNAI’ s ongoing commitment to preparing future nurses to lead, advocate, and advance the nursing profession statewide.
22 NSNA Imprint