Welcome students to the start of a new academic year! I will share with you a bit about myself, the prestige of our Nursing Program at SDSU, and long term goals our program has laid out for you, but first, I want to focus on some key initiatives for our School of Nursing. You, the student body, as well as the faculty, and the administration each play a role in shaping the future of our nursing program. In the next six months, we will be embarking on several initiatives to prepare our school for a visit by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) in the spring semester and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in the near future. We are a team, and as students, faculty, and administration, I am certain we will continue to live up to, and exceed our reputation as an institution of outstanding education and learning. I want to share with you a little bit about my educational and personal background. I received most of my nursing education at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, and then completed two post-doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky. My teaching experience includes the University of Pennsylvania (PA), Villanova University (PA), the University of Pittsburgh (PA), Fairfield University (CT), and Pace University (NY). My specialty area is public health nursing, and my research includes aging and community-based participatory research in Nicaragua. My wife is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, completing a Dr. PH at Boston University. She is employed by the Veteran’s Administration as part of the VA Nursing Academy at Fairfield University and VA Connecticut Healthcare. In that role, she teaches undergraduate nursing students in psychiatric nursing and public health nursing courses, including our study abroad/service learning course in Nicaragua. We have two adult children; Jake is a wooden boat builder in Lake George, NY, and Katie is a graduate student at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, England. I feel honored to add Director of the School of Nursing at SDSU to my list of credentials. You should feel very proud to have earned a spot in the SDSU School of Nursing program for it has an excellent reputation. Over the past two months, I have heard laudatory comments about our program from our faculty, our students, our community members, and our alumni. One of our greatest challenges will be “branding” our SDSU program and graduates with unique qualities that set us apart. On the one hand, you are a consumer, and we are committed to serving your needs. On the other hand, you are our product, something we help develop from a lay person into a skilled, professional, and confident registered nurse. Thus, one major initiative will be formation; that is, shaping our product to best fulfill the demands of the evolving and demanding nursing working field. A second initiative is to develop better linkages and partnerships with the greater San Diego community. This initiative includes re- establishing ties with our alumni and friends, as well as getting our faculty, students, and graduates accustomed to their role as ambassadors within that larger community. Nothing makes me happier than hearing what a wonderful job our students and faculty do in their work! August 2012
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Transcript
Welcome students to the start of a new
academic year! I will share with you a bit about
myself, the prestige of our Nursing Program at
SDSU, and long term goals our program has laid
out for you, but first, I want to focus on some key
initiatives for our School of Nursing. You, the
student body, as well as the faculty, and the
administration each play a role in shaping the future
of our nursing program. In the next six months, we
will be embarking on several initiatives to prepare
our school for a visit by the Board of Registered
Nursing (BRN) in the spring semester and by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) in the near future. We are a team, and as
students, faculty, and administration, I am certain
we will continue to live up to, and exceed our
reputation as an institution of outstanding education
and learning.
I want to share with you a little bit about my
educational and personal background. I received
most of my nursing education at the University of
Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, and then
completed two post-doctoral studies at the
University of Kentucky. My teaching experience
includes the University of Pennsylvania (PA),
Villanova University (PA), the University of
Pittsburgh (PA), Fairfield University (CT), and Pace
University (NY). My specialty area is public health
nursing, and my research includes aging and
community-based participatory research in
Nicaragua. My wife is a psychiatric nurse
practitioner, completing a Dr. PH at Boston
University. She is employed by the Veteran’s
Administration as part of the VA Nursing Academy
at Fairfield University and VA Connecticut
Healthcare. In that role, she teaches undergraduate
nursing students in psychiatric nursing and public
health nursing courses, including our study
abroad/service learning course in Nicaragua. We
have two adult children; Jake is a wooden boat
builder in Lake George, NY, and Katie is a graduate
student at the University of East Anglia, in
Norwich, England. I feel honored to add Director
of the School of Nursing at SDSU to my list of
credentials.
You should feel very proud to have earned a
spot in the SDSU School of Nursing program for it
has an excellent reputation. Over the past two
months, I have heard laudatory comments about our
program from our faculty, our students, our
community members, and our alumni. One of our
greatest challenges will be “branding” our SDSU
program and graduates with unique qualities that set
us apart. On the one hand, you are a consumer, and
we are committed to serving your needs. On the
other hand, you are our product, something we help
develop from a lay person into a skilled,
professional, and confident registered nurse. Thus,
one major initiative will be formation; that is,
shaping our product to best fulfill the demands of
the evolving and demanding nursing working field.
A second initiative is to develop better
linkages and partnerships with the greater San
Diego community. This initiative includes re-
establishing ties with our alumni and friends, as
well as getting our faculty, students, and graduates
accustomed to their role as ambassadors within that
larger community. Nothing makes me happier than
hearing what a wonderful job our students and
faculty do in their work!
August 2012
Third, we all need to establish a culture of
generosity, and support our Nursing School.
Philanthropy is not just for the wealthy 1%, but also
includes the planned, regular gifts to the school to
support scholarships, faculty development, and
other essential goals. My goal is to develop a fund
to support study abroad activities with reduced costs
per student, and create an endowment to support our
Sharp Simulation Center. We also need funds to
sustain our faculty to develop research and teaching
expertise. This is only possible with your support.
I look forward to meeting you all over the next year.
I will be coming to your classes, and holding open
meetings with you, the students, to better
understand your educational needs. It will be a busy
year!
Sincerely,
Philip A. Greiner,
DNSc, RN
Professor and
Director, School of
Nursing
CNSA President’s Letter
Not long ago, I was in your shoes, and I
remember the nerve-racking feeling of new student
orientation… excitement, fear, pride,
accomplishment, and overall readiness to
FINALLY start my nursing profession. I
highlighted profession because, as you make your
way through nursing school, you will begin to
transform into professional nurses. You will
display integrity, academic honesty, leadership, and
quality care, paired with evidenced based research.
You will learn all the facets of nursing. You will
overcome challenges, and learn to think critically in
all situations.
As you move through each semester, you
will be educated by professors in the classroom and
clinicals that will change your lives, and hold a
special place in your heart. Take a look around your
class; these will become the people you will eat
with, carpool with, and study with, until the late
hours of the morning.
The people in your nursing classes will
become some of your best friends, giving you a
wonderful support system, and someone to always
relate to. I want to share some tips based on my
experience in nursing school, and how the SDSU’s
California Nursing Student Association has
transformed me into a superior student and
professional.
After being accepted into nursing school, I
jumped on the CNSA bandwagon. My first
semester, I became involved in community events
including fundraisers, organizing professional
ceremonies, and volunteering with Breakthrough to
Nursing science fairs. It was humbling to be
surrounded by other students who were innovative,
inspiring, and pushing me to be my BEST self.
Through CNSA, I was able to attend our
State Convention, where I ran and was elected for a
state position, attended resume and career
workshops, and thoroughly enjoyed networking.
Moreover, equipped with CNSA experience,
knowledge, and ideas, I was able to travel with our
team to our National Convention in Pittsburgh last
April. After a week of campaigning, I was elected
as a National Director. This has been an
unbelievable experience, making my nursing
student career that much more meaningful.
I hope this letter inspires you to join CNSA,
break through your barriers, reach out for support,
make new friends, and reach your full potential.
Many of us would not be the distinguished students,
mentors, professionals, and leaders if it had not
been for CNSA.
I encourage you all to get involved and
enhance your journey through nursing school!
Here are some tips that that you may find useful.
1. STRESS! Incorporate the things you enjoy
to your weekly schedule because balancing
school and personal life will make your
nursing experience more enjoyable.
2. PRIORITIZE! Different nursing classes
may require more study time, or different
methods. Stay on top of course material,
and focus more on challenging classes.
3. SLEEP! Sleep affects your clinical
performance. Get enough sleep to enhance
your performance, and have more energy
through those longs days of class.
4. FUN! Take a break from studying to have
fun, so you don’t burn out first semester.
5. OFFICE HOURS! If you are struggling,
don’t procrastinate until the end of the
semester to get help from your instructor.
6. NETWORK! This will help answer
questions, open new doors, and provide you
with more options in your nursing careers.
7. GET INVOLVED! Nursing school will fly
by, so I encourage you to seize all the
opportunities, such as becoming active with
CNSA
Congratulations again, and I look forward to
representing our CNSA chapter, as president, during
the 2012-2013 school year. I am eager to aid you in
becoming a leader, and witness your
accomplishments in our community, state, nation,
and world!
Brittney Cummings
Brittney Cummings
CNSA- SDSU
Chapter
President
Your CNSA Board of Directors
How to Succeed Your First Semester
I have been told that when I look back
twenty years from now, I will be more disappointed
with the things I didn’t do rather than the ones I did.
Regardless of the outcome, it’s far better to have
tried something with the risk of failing, than to
never attempt it at all. Whether this includes taking
rigorous classes to be accepted into the School of
Nursing, returning to school to earn your BSN, or
breaking out of your comfort zone to become more
involved in your community through CNSA; every
day is a choice you should be proud of!
The transition into first semester nursing
school is certainly a challenge…learning to juggle
busy schedules, study material in an entirely new
way, finding time for yourself and your family
commitments, and still maintaining a healthy
lifestyle. However, I found my footing, not until
falling a few times first! I want to share with you
some life lessons I have learned in my nursing
school journey:
Support networks: The most crucial tip for
succeeding your first semester is finding your study
partners early on. These people will be your
lifelines, who will understand exactly what you are
experiencing. Stay connected with your family, but
realize they may not understand what type of
pressure you’re under, which may be frustrating.
Find a mentor!
Stay organized: Make a schedule and stick
with it! Purchasing a planner and laying out my
week plans saved me my first semester. Prepping
the night before is also a great way to stay
organized. Packing lunch, setting out scrubs, and
printing PowerPoints the night before makes you
feel prepared and confident to start your day on the
right foot.
Get Involved: CNSA has shaped me as a
person and a leader. Your path to your nursing
career will not only depend on high GPAs and
performing skills, though those are essential parts of
your training. An equally key factor is involvement
and leadership. I feel so fortunate I attended the
first meeting of CNSA because from that day
forward, I joined the Board of Directors for CNSA.
Getting involved makes you feel like you are part of
your nursing community, and will allow an extra
network of support when things get challenging.
Take time: Schedule a dinner with friends
once a week, meditate before bed, read a pleasure
book for 20 minutes in a day, get a pedicure, watch
a trashy TV show, go for a long run. Whatever
helps you relax and decompress is a priority. I
suggest setting aside at least 30 minutes in your day
for “Me Time”.
Stay Healthy: The “first semester fifteen” is
not a pretty site. Keep your body moving and
maintain a healthy diet! It’s easy to grab that bag of
chips, or skip a few hours of sleep when you’re
frustrated with studying, or stressed…stop! Get up
and move! Take a break from your studies every
few hours to walk, run, yoga, or zumba!.
Although I’m still learning how to manage
nursing school, it certainly feels like it’s gotten
easier to manage. Ultimately, it’s the simple things
that are most valuable: find support, stay organized,
get involved, make time for yourself, and maintain a
healthy lifestyle! These tips will help you navigate
through this new adventure of nursing school.
Allie Bryden
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
Vice President
Organization is Queen
As your Secretary, I am responsible for
recording the minutes of all general and board
meeting. I am also accountable for updating our
calendar on the CNSA SDSU website for any new
events. Aside from that, I am the board member
that manages your CNSA cord points. Cord points
are points that you can earn to receive an honor cord
to wear during graduation. You can obtain these
points by attending, or volunteering at CNSA events
and meetings. You need a total of 24 points, which
you can earn 1st through 5th semester. It is your
responsibility to sign in at every event in order to
make sure you get the appropriate points. If you do
not sign in, no points will be awarded.
Though my main duty is to organize
information, I look forward to being your mentor as
well. Nursing classes are far different from your
previous college courses. They require more time
and effort, which can take an entire semester to
simply get used to. If I were to give any advice on
“surviving” your first semester, it would be to
manage your time and your stress wisely. Your
planner, along with coffee, will be your best friend.
But you also want to be sure to always make time
for yourself and practice relaxation techniques
(yoga, exercise, meditations…etc.), whatever works
for you to relieve stress. First semester is very
overwhelming when it comes to the workload, so
try working with other students when studying.
Your nursing classmates are really the only ones
who know what you are going through. Good luck
to everyone, I know you will all do amazing!
Vanessa Megano
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
Secretary
Money, Money, Money!
My name is Kristyn Schumacher, and I'm
entering into my third semester of the program
(wow has the time flown!). As the Treasurer of
CNSA, I am responsible for our budget, and all
other financial matters. The best advice I have for
first semester students is, "do NOT get
discouraged". Yes, first semester is tough, but it's
nothing you can't handle! Getting into the program
was more than half of the battle. I look forward to
meeting you all at New Student Orientation!
Kristyn Schumacher
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
Treasurer
Speaker at the Floor…
First of all, welcome to SDSU School of
Nursing! My name is April Lembi, and currently I
am the Legislative Director for the California
Nursing Students’ Association at SDSU. I am in
charge of staying up to date with legislation that
pertains to nursing. I am also running the Speaking
of Nursing club, which was started last semester by
our previous Legislative Director, Jessica Hunter.
This club explores topics such as
professionalism, résumés, panel interviews, and
public speaking. It’s a beneficial club for those
interested in networking and applying for jobs. For
those interested in joining, please send me an email
at [email protected]. I will send out a tentative
schedule for this semester.
My advice for incoming students is to get
involved as soon as possible, so that you can
discover your passion in the profession of nursing.
Also, find an outlet for your stress and make sure
you keep a balanced lifestyle. Good luck with your
first year and congratulations!
April Lembi
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
Legislative Director
Vital Signs Needs You!
My name is Maria Estrada , and as your
Communications Director I will be your liaison to
the CNSA. I have several goals I want to share with
you.
Over the course of this academic year, I will
be updating you on events, scholarships, job
opportunities, and recognizing your achievements in
your growing careers. I plan to make monthly visits
to the different semester classes to distribute the
newsletters, and gather more feedback. I also plan
to table at SDSU school fairs and events to
represent our organization with pride, armed with
our Vital Signs and flyers!
My goal is to add information that is
relevant and interesting to you. This year, we added
an op-ed column for family members. I hope that
the Vital Sings newsletter is not only useful to you,
my fellow peers, but also to your family and loved
ones, who want to help you succeed.
I encourage you to submit op-eds from your
family and friends, so they can share tips and their
experiences as your support system. Also, share
your ideas on how make our newsletter more useful,
innovative, and aesthetically appealing. My email
is [email protected]. Email me to join the
Vital Signs team, and I look forward to a
praiseworthy school year with you!
Maria Estrada
CNSA-SDSU
Chapter
Communications
Director
We Are in This Together
If you want your SDSU School of Nursing
gear… I’m your girl. Hello students, my name is
Wynter Cremo and I am your CNSA Fundraising
Director. I am eager to share my fundraising ideas
with you, but first I want to share a little about
myself, so you know me as more than the girl who
sells you all the goodies.
After finishing business school at SDS, and
working one unrewarding job after another, I
decided I needed more out of a career. Choosing to
be a nursing student was the best decision I ever
made. For those of you who are returning students,
searching for intangible fulfillment out of your
career, be confident that you will find what you are
searching for in this field.
My advice going into your first semester is
to approach your classmates as team members, not
the competition. At clinicals especially, share the
learning experience. We are all in this
together. You will meet some of the kindest people
ever imaginable in this environment. Great
friendships will come out of the challenges you face
together. Do not be afraid to ask
for support, or to support a fellow
student in need.
Wynter Cremo and newly
appointed Jenna Argulles
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
Fundraising Co-Directors
Share an Afternoon with a Fellow
Nursing Student!
A huge congratulations on your success in
being accepted to the San Diego States Nursing
Program! This is a major accomplishment toward
your future, which will equip you with skills,
knowledge, and experience, but it will be
challenging. First semester nursing school will be
unlike anything you have done before.
I’d like to tell you about myself, and share
how the Mentorship Program will help you acquire
professional skills. About a year ago, I took a great
stride, and joined CNSA. I joined CNSA the first
day of new student orientation, but I never knew
how much it would shape my nursing career. At
first, I joined because it was something “everyone
else was doing” and it “looked good on the
resume”.
Then, the reality of first semester hit, and
although I had signed up for the mentorship
program, it did not turn out to be the support system
I had hoped for. My mentor was nowhere to be
seen! I was drowning in the midst of new
curriculum and family issues; to say the least, my
first semester of nursing school was a complete
mess. After failing my first clinical, I was
devastated. I felt ashamed knowing the friends I had
made would be moving on, and I would be meeting
a new group of students who would judge me as the
girl who got “held back”…it was a nightmare.
A whole year and a half later, my life has
turned 180 degrees. Although grades are vital in
nursing school, I realized nursing is not only about
intellect, but more importantly, teamwork. Striving
to get first class grades is no longer my highest
priority. I find a greater pleasure in studying with
classmates and sharing opinions about the nursing
profession, than I do about earning 90+% grades on
Blackboard, and this is why I decided to run for
Mentorship Director last spring.
The Mentorship Program will help you find
a fellow nursing student who has gone through what
you will be going through these upcoming months.
They will be your support system, counselor,
advisor, and most of all, a friend who knows exactly
what obstacles are ahead, and the best ways to
overcome them. The mentors of our program are
responsible nursing students who will help the
development of your nursing fundamentals, self
confidence, professional achievement, and personal
growth. Together, mentors and mentees may study
together, participate in community and charitable
walks, and many other activities that CNSA will put
on throughout the year.
My biggest word of advice for your first
semester is to come into it with an open mind. Be
willing to join new organizations and groups of
people who share the same interests and passions as
you.
I am excited to kick off the program, and I
look forward to meeting each of you!
Julia Jaroslawski
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
Mentorship Program
Director
Breakthrough to Nursing
Hi there! We are Breanna Corder and
Nichole Donahue, and we will be your
Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN) Co-Directors for
SDSU’s CNSA Board 2012-2013. This is going to
be a great semester, and we are looking forward to
seeing new faces at our BTN events!
BTN was established in 1965, with its
mission to organize, represent, and mentor students
preparing for nursing school, as well as those
students currently enrolled in a BSN program. As
previous active members of the BTN committee, we
are focused on promoting awareness to high school
students all across San Diego County. BTN brings
nursing education and promotion to classrooms at
various high schools. For example, SDSU nursing
students with BTN do presentations on the
requirements to get into the nursing program and
the vast amount of the opportunities in the medical
field. It was gratifying to see the potential in the
room, and to hear the comments of how the
presentations sparked their interest to seek out a
medical career. Along with high school
presentations, BTN has partnered with the Girl
Scout troops to earn a first-aid badge, has worked
closely with SDSU’s Pre-Nursing Society to
support their efforts to gain admission into the
program, participated in Explore SDSU with our
Lub-Dub booth, and presented the Smoker’s Lungs
to the thousands of kids at San Diego’s Festival of
Science and Engineering.
Last year was a blast, but I know there will
be even greater opportunities this year! We are both
working on expanding our network base by not only
presenting to high school students and girl scouts,
but also to underprivileged groups who may have
never even considered college was an option.
In order
to have a
successful
year, we
will need
lots of
help from
you! We
highly encourage all semester nursing students to
participate in BTN, and help inspire members of the
community, especially the youth, to choose nursing
as their career. Join our BTN committee. It’s a
great way to get involved with CNSA, and meet
other nursing students along the way! If you are
interested in joining the BTN committee, please
contact me at [email protected]. Thanks
everyone, and I look forward to a great semester.
Nichole Donahue
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
BTN Co-Director
Breanna Corder
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
BTN Co-Director
Health and the Community
Hello! My name is Heather Phillips. This
will be my 4th semester in CNSA. I got involved
my first semester in nursing school, and really enjoy
it. As Community Health Director, my job is to
provide students with volunteer opportunities in San
Diego. We will do fundraising walks, health
screenings, and other activities. I strongly
encourage you to take time to volunteer as much as
you can. It's a fun way to get exposure to different
areas of the health field, and meet fellow nursing
students.
Volunteering now really pays off later, when
you begin thinking about applying for jobs. Look
out for my emails regarding volunteer events during
this school year! Our next event will be the San
Diego Heart Walk taking place September 15th.
Join our school's team
at heartwalk.kintera.org/sandiegoca/sdsuson. Good
luck!
Heather Philips
CNSA-SDSU
Chapter
Community Health
Director
Imagine Your Future Career
Welcome new students and congratulations
on getting into the program!
My name is Jordan Knight and I am the
Image of Nursing chair for the 2012-2013 school
year. My job is to help promote a positive image of
nursing, and to increase the awareness of what
nurses really do within our program, through the
SDSU campus and our community. Watch for
events throughout the year, where you can help
promote our image.
I am a second semester student, so I know
exactly how you are feeling right now. My best
advice is to remember that nursing school is a
journey. Some days will feel like they are
impossible, but these days will be balanced out with
the days where you truly are able to help someone.
It’s important to really think about why you have
chosen this profession, and keep this in mind on
those tough days. Don’t try to start studying the
night before an exam, this never works. Remember
to balance out school with taking care of yourself,
and don’t forget to have some fun along the way.
Ask tons of questions and never be afraid to speak
up.
If you ever see me around, please feel free to
ask me any questions and good luck!
Jordan Knight
CNSA-SDSU Chapter
Image of Nursing
Chair
Faculty Introductions
Looking Ahead
Nursing is a glorious profession of
challenging service based on dedication,
knowledge, and – most uniquely – compassion. It
is the nurse at the bedside who discovers the cardiac
arrhythmia, reassures the fearful, comforts by
easing pain, and gives hope to the hopeless. There
are no “second” takes or “script changes” like those
dramatic and exaggerated medical television shows.
The blood, sweat, and tears are real.
Over the next five semesters, it will seem as
though there are not enough hours in the day to
prepare for the intellectually and emotionally
draining responsibilities of patient care. Starting
this semester, your personal nursing experiences
will provide a touchstone for your future. You are
now beginning the journey of embracing humanity.
You will come to realize the value of intangibles –
such as a touch or a smile – because you are nurses.
You will experience the human capacity for love,
courage, and perseverance. You will know what it
is to be humane and accept that life is unpredictable
and never perfect You, above all others, will not
need to be reminded to appreciate what you have
before it is lost.
The nursing faculty has confidence in your
ability to succeed in this challenging program.
Your first stepping stone is to successfully complete
a rigorous first semester. Your course of study will
be a balance of theory and patient care experiences.
You will develop clinical reasoning skills that
enable you to place your patient in what Florence
Nightingale referred to as the, “best possible
condition for nature to act upon him.” It will be a
challenging semester! It will be a strenuous one!
Above all, it will be rewarding!
As a nursing student, you have a world of
choices before you. Capitalize on this by making
the most of it: start setting priorities and never lose
sight of taking responsibility for your learning
needs. Take the initiative and follow a study
schedule so that you are “over-prepared” for exams.
Take advantage of our mentoring program,
counseling services, and the help of faculty. Of
importance is maintaining a balanced and healthy
lifestyle. After all, that’s what you will be teaching
your patients. A sincere welcome to each of you!
Professor Nancy Lischke
Course Coordinator
Nursing 206
Informatics? What’s That?
Welcome to SDSU School of Nursing! I will
be teaching you NURS200: Informatics for the
Nurse. This course focuses on the use of
information and information technology in
healthcare. Often students think the course is about
how to use computers and the electronic health
record. You will gain hands on experience through
your clinical courses. In NURS200 you will learn
about retrieving evidence from the literature, using
healthcare mobile technology, and understanding
the application and ethical considerations of health
information technology in patient care.
I am passionate about healthcare
information technology. Before I came to SDSU in
2006, I was the Vice President of Patient Care
Information Systems for the Sharp HealthCare
hospitals. In this role I was responsible for the
implementation and maintenance of computerized
clinical systems used in the Sharp hospitals. Some
of these systems included nursing documentation,
medication dispensing, computerized provider order
entry, and the electronic health record. You will
learn about these types of systems in NURS200.
Additionally, I’ve been on the Board of
Directors of an international health information
technology professional organization – Healthcare
Information and Management Systems Society
(HIMSS) for the past three years, and am now its
Chairperson. Through my involvement with
HIMSS, I participate in many activities that I share
with you in the classroom. Healthcare information
technology is advancing rapidly, and it’s exciting to
be part of the
transformation.
Willa Fields, RN, DNSc,
FHIMSS
Professor
SDSU School of Nursing
Organizations and Honors
Clubs
California Nursing Student Association
(CNSA) at SDSU
The mission of CNSA is to foster nursing
education, facilitate early unity among our future
colleagues in nursing, and to optimize the nursing
student's exposure to the numerous specialties and
pathways in the ever-changing field of nursing.
Join today at http://nursing.sdsu.edu/cnsasd/
Sigma Theta Tau- Gamma Gamma
Chapter SDSU
Gamma Gamma Honors Society is the
SDSU affiliate chapter for Sigma Theta Tau
International—the second largest nursing
organization in the world! There are hundreds of
chapters across the globe, and one of the main
purposes of this honor society is to fund nursing
research. For more information, visit
www.gammagamma.sdsu.edu and
www.nursingsociety.org
Speaking of Nursing (SON)
The Speaking of Nursing (SON) club is
designed exclusively for the nursing student that has
interest in the political side of nursing, and
understanding of the importance of legislation for
its profound effect on the nursing profession. SON
offers a rare opportunity for nursing students to gain
invaluable insight into the world of legislative
nursing, while simultaneously developing enhanced
public speaking skills, knowledge of policy-making,
resolution-writing, and achieve a greater
understanding of what it means to be a professional
nurse. To join email me April Lembi at
Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN)
Breakthrough to Nursing was established in
1965, with its mission to organize, represent, and
mentor students preparing for nursing school, as
well as those students currently enrolled in a BSN
program. BTN brings nursing education and
promotion to classrooms at various high schools
and community events. To join email us at
Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program is comprised of
nursing students who will help the development of
your nursing fundamentals, self confidence,
professional achievement, and personal growth.
Together, mentors and mentees will build a support
system and participate in community and charitable
walks, and many other activities that CNSA will put
on throughout the year. To join email us at
Family Corner
First Semester through the Eyes of
a Loved One
First semester nursing students are bound to
experience academic challenges, moments of
frustration, and entrance into a world where service
to others is paramount. As parents or relatives of
these dynamic, future powerhouses, we can do
some things to support nursing students along their
journey.
First, maintaining a positive attitude,
especially during testing, will be crucial. The
anxiety that sets in before exams can be detrimental.
If parents can reassure their student that the endless
hours, or even days, they have spent studying will
be rewarded, it will boost their confidence.
Next, many nursing students study in
groups, encourage this and get to know these new
acquaintances. When possible, parents should
facilitate a quiet space for these gatherings. Food is
always welcomed and much appreciated because
let’s face it, nursing students forget to eat.
Often, nursing students are inundated with
homework and projects; at times it will feel as
though they are aloof and uncommunicative.
Engaging them in conversation about their program
provides a platform for dialogue and learning too. I
have enjoyed listening to my sister explain medical
procedures, but that would not have taken place if I
did not ask.
Finally, the most fun comes when you, the
parent/relative, become the pseudo patient.
Something special happens and a transformation
occurs before your eyes: as their hands move up and
down your arm, eyes and ears honed on their
instruments, your student blossoms into a
professional. Cherish the moment and smile.
Martha Estrada (Sister of Maria Estrada)
M.A. Student, Public Health, SDSU
Upcoming Events
Sept. 9: White Coat Ceremony for Second
Semesters ONLY at 11am-1pm in A&L 201
Sept. 10: Changing the World- The International
Experience at Parma Payne Goodall Alumni
Center, 4:30-6:30 PM
Oct. 19-21: CNSA State Convention in
Irvine
Oct. 27: Walks to End Alzheimers at Balboa
Park at 8:00 AM
Nov. 2: Light the Night Walk 2012 at Petco Park
at 7:00 AM. For more information visit www.lightthenight.org/sd/
Nov. 8-11: The Mid-Year NSNA Conference in
San Diego
CNSA cordially thanks the
following sponsors
Sharp Healthcare System
Marlene Ruiz, Director of Education at
Kaiser Permanente
Einstein Bagels of Hillcrest and Mission
Gorge
Trader Joe's of Hillcrest
Chipotle of SDSU
SDSU CNSA Board of Directors
2012-2013
President
Brittney Cummings
Vice President
Allie Bryden
Secretary
Vanessa Megano
Treasurer
Kristyn Schumacher
Legislative Director
April Lembi
Mentorship/Membership Director
Julia Jaroslawski
Breakthrough to Nursing
Breanna Corder and Nichole Donahue
Fundraising Directors
Wynter Cremo and Jenna Argulles
Community Health Director
Heather Phillips
Communications Director
Maria Estrada
Image of Nursing
Jordan Knight
Faculty Advisor
Professor Joan Hall
For more information visit SDSU-CNSA website at
nursing.sdsu.edu/cnsasd/
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