Breakthrough to Nursing

​ Committee

Challenging Assumptions: Breaking Barriers, Building a Future

William L. Kantsios 
BTN Director
Radford University
​Radford, VA
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Seasonal Memos​

What is the Role of the Breakthrough to Nursing Committee?

Established in 1965, the mission of the Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN) project is to organize, represent, and mentor students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, as well as those nurses enrolled in baccalaureate completion programs, in becoming practitioners sensitive to the cultural diversity that exists in our society.  The project promotes the development of the skills needed to be responsible, accountable members of the nursing profession who respect the differences and similarities between people, advocates high quality care, utilizing the principles of transcultural nursing, and facilitates the development of peer support systems, which enhance recruitment and retention within the nursing profession.

Logan Kantsios, Director and Chair,
Breakthrough to Nursing Committee Winter/Spring Memo

Hello NSNA Members!
 
I hope that the Spring 2019 semester is going well. Hopefully, success and good grades are coming your way! Many of you are graduating this semester and joining the profession of nursing. I would like to personally congratulate you on completing this milestone of your nursing career. 
 
The MidYear Career Planning Conference in Louisville, KY was a huge success. I enjoyed meeting so many new students and discussing Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN).  The BTN seminar revolved around the idea of creating an inclusive environment for every student in nursing education. Seminar attendees were engaged in discussions that defined BTN and the upcoming projects and events being held around the country.  Creative ways to get more students involved in BTN events at the local school chapters were discussed! The BTN Toolkit was discussed heavily and remains the best way for the great ideas from across the country to be placed in one convenient location. My hope for this toolkit is to become and ever growing and all-encompassing document filled with successful BTN projects for the future nursing students of the NSNA to draw from.  If you have a project, BTN story, or any articles you think would be great to be featured in the toolkit, please email me!

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BTN Resources
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​How to Establish a Mentor-Mentee Program At Your School
The BTN Project
Nursing students from all over the country share their thoughts on becoming nurses. Video created by Jennifer Kalenkoski, Breakthrough to Nursing Director (2016-17).

BTN Road-Trip


​In August I had the privilege to travel to seven states and met with the student nursing leaders and board members! I called this trip the “BTN Road-Trip” and it was a huge success! We traveled from my home in Virginia to Charlotte, NC; Florence, SC; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA; Jackson, MS; Nashville, TN, and rounded it all out in Louisville, KY. On this Road-Trip I met with state presidents, BTN directors as well as plenty of other state board members. We had one- to two-hour meetings and discussed the new BTN Toolkit, the BTN Monthly Awards, gave a report on the work of NSNA and the BTN Committee to the members, and provided a presence to these state leaders from NSNA as well as guidance.
 
The Road-Trip allowed me to provide a face-to-face presence to our state leaders and I would like to thank all those who met with me. I also want to say a special thank you to my younger brother, Chase, who went with me on this incredible 2,000 mile journey.

-Logan Kantsios, BTN Director

BTN Stories

Melissa Byrne
​State Breakthrough To Nursing Director
2014-2015
​California Nursing Students' Association

​Save A Heart at Sacramento University
Lizzette Chavez
Image and BTN Director
​Michigan Nursing Students Association


​Scrubs Camp
Daniel Duron, CNSA
BTN Committee Member
​California State University - Stanislaus, CA

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​Science Day
Brandy Greensmith
BTN Chair,
Student Nurses' Association
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL

The Interview Workshop
Abaneh Ebangwese
​Vice President
Maryland Association of Nursing Students (MANS)
Andrew Richardson
Legislative Chair
​Maryland Association of Nursing Students (MANS)
Camp Cardiac
Stephanie Swope
BTN Director
​Maryland Association of Nursing Students (MANS)