New from UPSNA

Hope you all had a good summer. Now that school’s back in session we on the UPSNA board are beginning a new program that we’re all very excited about. It’s called SNAPP (for "Student Nurse Association Partnership Program"), and we’re premiering it at the welcome-back luncheon for UPSNA members, which is scheduled to be held on October 26th.

Basically, the program pairs up freshmen nursing students with juniors, and sophomores with seniors. It is a way for students to share info about classes, studying tips for those classes, first hand accounts about what to expect while in the program, and it’s a great way to network too! A short questionnaire included on the application form will help pair students with similar learning and study styles together. The program is for UPSNA members only, and is one of the many benefits of joining UPSNA.

An email will be sent out in a couple weeks with the details for the luncheon with a SNAPP application attached, until that time applications can be found on the UPSNA board located on the third floor of Buckly Center. So, get those applications filled out and then come to the luncheon to find out who your partner is, we’re excited to have you involved in this truly one of a kind program!

--UPSNA

Gene Cotton's "I am a Nurse"

Gene Cotton's "I am a Nurse" performed at the NSNA convention It don't get much better than that! ;)

Greeting from Nashville, TN and the NSNA Convention

Hey guys!

Justus, Kaye Wilson-Anderson and I are in Nashville, TN for the National Student Nurses Association Convention! We are in the midst of 3,000 future nurses, nurse leaders, faculty and even assistants to the Surgeon General!

Last night the conference kicked off with thanking sponsors who put on this convention and giving special awards to deserving recipients. We then heard from Rear Admiral Carol A. Romano, PhD, RN, FAAN, Assistant Surgeon General, Chief Nurse Officer, US Public Health Service. The theme for the convention is "Making it Big, Nursing Students Stepping Up and Stepping Out. Dr. Romano challenged us as nurses to do exactly this Step up to the challenges we have and will face in our career and most importantly to step outside our comfort zones in our careers. Be the nurse that creates change, never settle for a no answer.

We hope to write on the blog daily while we are here and let you know what we're up to and why we're here.

Today we ended an exhibit hall with hundreds of Nursing Schools represented from all over the US as well as health care organizations looking for nurses to hire. There were tons of NCLEX prep companies represented and selling their products. The Army, Air Force, Navy, US Public Health Service and many more organizations were in attendance. This was a HUGE version of our Nurse Extravaganza. We picked up tons and I mean tons of information about hospitals that are "hiring" meaning probably, well maybe, we will hire in January, but don't worry its getting better! So for those of you graduating next year get ready and start looking into companies you may be interesting in working for. Applications for their internships are generally due before May graduates graduate. They do offer suggestions every time we stop and chat with them, which is nice :) Here they are: BE FLEXIBLE, TAKE WHATEVER YOU GET, but apply everywhere!, Write thank you notes for everything, Drop them off in person, Check in with nurse recruiters often and establish a relationship with them, they will be your advocate in the application process and most importantly know that things will get better and you can always move to a new job after this whole economy settles. Hospitals are reporting to us that at least 1/3 of their nurses are over 55, therefore it is key for them to hire new grads now and train them up in their system.

Secondly we went to a Pharm Made Extremely Easy focus session. We were singing songs about SIADH and learning about Anticholinergics with a picture of a guy sittin on the toilet strained saying "No pee, no see, no spit, no shit" I'd say I reinforced quite a bit in that hour class and got to laugh. I would recommend checking into their products!

A few stories. They eat fried apples for breakfast here. It's like eating the middle of an apple pie with no crust.... The hotel we are in is like a little town under a 9 acre glass ceiling! 15 acres in total. Last night we ended up at a very expensive restaurant in the hotel, so Justus ordered Lobster Bisque for $12. The guy brought it and a huge bowl only had 3 lil pieces of lobster and no soup. The look on his face-PRICELESS. The waiter then pulled out the soup part and dumped it in, but let me tell yea I was laughing and Justus was not impressed!

Well, we are off to see the town of Nashville tonight. More pictures, tips, stories, ideas to come tomorrow (or tonight who knows). Leave us comments or questions and we'll answer them or figure out the answer!



--Melissa

**READ THIS**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**FOR MAY GRADS**

Hey May Grads—
We’re almost done!! So naturally we have things to take care of ….
1. If you want a Pub Crawl shirt you MUST order one from us by FRIDAY APRIL 17th. Email upsna@up.edu with your size. Sm-XXXL available
2. Melissa is making a slide show for the roast. Please send your photos to upsna@up.edu The photos need to have our cohort in them and can be from clinical or from having fun! SEND them our way!!
3. The May celebration/roast is May 30th around 1400 keep your ears open for the exact time.
4. UPSNA will need help with making the roast of the professors happen. We have an idea for it but would welcome all of yours.
a. In order to accomplish our plan. PLEASE SEND US favorite quotes and stories from the professors!! Please make them Tasteful!!
b. Kathleen Bell
c. Karen Cameron
d. Lori Chorpenning
e. Darcy Copeland
f. Louisa Davis Sills
g. Susan Decker
h. Kari Firestone
i. Tricia Gatlin
j. Joanna Kaakinen
k. Lorette Krautscheid
l. Susan Moscato
m. Marie Napolitano
n. Mary Oakes
o. Chad O’lynn
p. Val Orton
q. Pamela Potter
r. Mary Beth Rosenstiel
s. Casey Shillam
t. Fran Simmons
u. Susie Stragnell
v. Linda Veltri
w. Diane Vines
x. Kaye Wilson-Anderson
y. Teri Woo
z. Elisa Majors
aa. Pat Alderman
bb. Barbara Bodine
cc. Kelly Margheim
dd. Emily Heuman
ee. Joanne Warner
ff. Carol Craig
gg. Anastatia Polyakov
5. HURST is doing a NCLEX review the week after graduation. The cost is $350 for a 4 day review. The class is interactive and taught by an RN with months of training in how to prep you for NCLEX. You can retake the class as many times as you need to and have full access to their resources and nurses to ask questions. Please email anna Vernon to RSVP and get details.
6. Video from Finance Workshop April 22nd 1800-2100 BC 310 The cost is $5. You will get to view the video and get a 6 pg outline of what we talked about. The Workshop was invaluable and comes HIGHLY Recommended--
“The financial workshop was great!! It was nice to go through the basics of finance and have the opportunity to ask questions. I really think that this should be offered every year. It's scary that we can graduate and get jobs without being aware of this information.” Kaylin Gaston
7. PINNING: We are wearing our graduation gowns with PROFESSIONAL attire underneath. Please go to the pinning website for information. http://nursing.up.edu/default.aspx?cid=9194&pid=209
I know this is a long email, but it’s ALL important information. Please send upsna@up.edu any questions comments or concerns.

Thank You, UPSNA

Finance Workshop

Hey guys just a reminder that the workshop is this weekend 0900-1200. The cost is $5 for non UPSNA members. We will have a list at the door.

The room is BC 310. Please be on time to this event (early is your best bet seeing as there are 30 RSVP'd) We want the business department to be impressed with us :) I'm really excited for this event!

FYI for those of you that cannot make it!!! We will be videotaping the event and playing it at another date :) Please send upsna@up.edu an email to let us know you are interested in this option!

Also PUB CRAWL tshirts will be sold after the event as well as SNUP shirts. $10 for Pubcrawl shirts and $12 for SNUP shirts.

Thanks and see you there!
-Melissa

Board Positions!!

President

The President runs both the general assembly meeting and the executive board meeting. The main responsibilities are to ensure the smooth running and operation of UPSNA. This includes the delegation and assignment of tasks to board members, and taking on jobs and tasks themselves. The President is viewed as a representative of the student body and will often be called to meet with various important people in the School of Nursing. This is a very limited profile of what the president does. Essentially, if there is something that needs doing and no one else can do it, it’s the president’s job.
 
Vice President

The Vice President of UPSNA assists the President in forming and carrying out goals set forth by the organization as well as the student cohort. The Vice President also serves as the primary liaison and contact person between UPSNA and any other organizations with which the association may be affiliated with. The Vice President runs general assembly meetings and serves as the tie-breaking vote in the executive board, if needed.
 
Treasurer

The treasurer attends all club meetings, including board meetings and general assembly meetings. At the beginning of the school year there is a meeting through ASUP to orient the treasurer on how club money is handled. The treasurer, in conjunction with other board members, is responsible for creating event budgets to request fund allocations to UPSNA for the Spring semester of the academic year, and the following Fall semester after you are the treasurer. The treasurer is responsible for keeping a ledger of debits/credits of the club’s account. The treasurer is also responsible for check requests (turned into Waldschmidt) to pay out to companies, reimbursements if a board or club member spend funds for the club, and depositing money (including membership dues, and proceeds from t-shirt sales and events) to the account through Student Accounts in Waldschmidt.
 
Secretary

The Secretary attends all club meetings, which include monthly board meetings and general assembly meetings. The Secretary will keep minutes of each meeting and create meeting agendas to distribute to each board member at the monthly board or general assembly meetings. The Secretary also assists other executive board members in events planning, coordinating, and volunteering.


Membership Director

The Membership Director keeps an updated directory of all of the current members of UPSNA. The director processes applications and informs members of their membership upon receiving payment. The director may be in charge of creating membership cards for club members. Currently, this position is filled by the Secretary, but may be made as a separate position.
 
Publicity Manager

The Publicity Manger promotes and supports UPSNA’s mission statement, events, and message through advertizing and networking. The P.M. works closely with the events coordinator and the technology coordinator for promotion of events, as well as the rest of the executive board. The role of the Publicity Manager is to maintain and update the UPSNA board and calendar on the third floor of BC. Publicity Manager also assists the executive board with any further duties, and attends and participates in executive board and general assembly meetings.
Several ideas for advertizing include: Posters, Fliers, Facebook, the Blog, E-mails, the board/calendar, AdVantage, the Beacon, KDUP, spokesperson in each nursing class and cohort, etc.
 
Student Liaison

The Student Liaison works to bridge the communication gap between students and the School of Nursing. The role of Student Liaison is to support the UPSNA board, help with any activities, lead his or her own projects, attend all board meetings and contribute as much or as little time as he or she would like. There are currently 2 open positions for Student Liaison.
 
Activities Coordinator

The Activities Coordinator works together with the rest of the executive board to brainstorm and implement activities that benefit UPSNA and the entire School of Nursing. Qualities such as good organizational skills, multi-tasking abilities, and excellence in delegation are important for this position. As with all of the positions, being a team player is essential.
 
Web Coordinator

The Web Coordinator is in charge of keeping UPSNA Facebook members up-to-date on all events that are happening within the School of Nursing and UPSNA. This person creates Facebook events and keeps track of inviting members to the events. The role of Web Coordinator also includes keeping the UPSNA Blog updated on the School of Nursing and UPSNA activities. Everything posted on Facebook must also be posted on the Blog. This position requires an understanding of how Facebook works and how to effectively manage the blog.
 
Committee on Students, Student Representative

Purpose: The Committee on Students develops, recommends, and administers regulations and procedures related to students to the Community. The committee coordinates activities related to the recognition of students.
Functions:
1) Review, revise and recommend to the Community and Dean as indicated, regulations and procedures for admission, progression, retention, graduation, and recruitment from the undergraduate and graduate programs.
2) Monitor admission and progression trends.
3) Review and update the Student Handbooks annually.
4) Coordinate graduating senior awards.
5) Coordinate activities related to Pinning.
6) Coordinate activities related to student welfare and safety.
7) Recruit and coordinate student membership on standing committees of the SON.

The role of the Student Representative is to bring ideas to the Committee from a student perspective, as well as bring forth any pertinent issues students have brought up to the committee to address. Meetings are once a month on a Monday during 11:30-1:30 PM. Requirements: Good communication skills with faculty and students.

Curriculum Committee Student Representative

Purpose: The Curriculum Committee is responsible for providing leadership, monitoring, coordinating and structuring the program of study in the School of Nursing. The committee monitors content and structure of curriculum, the sequence of the program of study, and the courses taught.
Functions:
1) Evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum to meet program outcomes.
2) Initiate curriculum proposals for courses/programs.
3) Review proposals submitted
4) Recommend changes in the curriculum including but not limited to, the structure of and sequence of the program of study; the courses to be taught; and the qualifications of faculty to teach.
5) Reviews proposals to change course outcomes and descriptions.
Meetings are once a month on a Monday during 11:30-1:30 PM. Requirements: Good communication skills with faculty and students.

UPSNA Board Application

Copy and paste this into a Word Document, fill it in and then email it off to upsna@up.edu by March 20th!!

UPSNA Board Member application
Check the position you are applying for:
□ President (Must be Junior or Senior)
□ Vice President
□ Treasurer
□ Secretary
□ Activities Director
□ Publicity Manager
□ Membership Director
□ Web Coordinator
□ Student Liaison (2)
□ Committee on Students Representative (2)
□ Curriculum Committee Representative (2)
Name: ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬__________________________________ (Last, First)
Year: ___________________________________ (In the fall)
Email: __________________________________@up.edu
Contact number: (¬¬___¬¬___)_______________________
1. Describe yourself as a student


2. Describe yourself as a leader


3. What sort of skills and experiences do you bring to this position?




4. How will you manage school work and your role?


5. Have you had experience in UPSNA before? If yes, describe them. If no, what sort of experiences do you hope to have and bring to other members?