Breakthrough to Nursing

​ Committee

​Be the change, See the change!

Lucas Farris 
BTN Director
University of Texas at Arlington
​Arlington, TX
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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.

Lucas Farris, Director and Chair Breakthrough to Nursing Committee Summer Memo

Hello NSNA Members,
 
The NSNA Breakthrough to Nursing® Committee is eager to work with you all.  I am very excited to be serving as your Breakthrough to Nursing Director for the 2019-2020 year. Also, please give a warm welcome to the BTN committee members, Deishanique Kennedy and Nkenna Njoku. I had a great time attending the June Board Meeting in New York City and can’t wait to see everyone at the MidYear Conference, October 31-November 3, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois.
 
We have updated the BTN Toolkit in a more user-friendly format as promised. This toolkit has a lot of helpful information for school and state organizations such as ideas for school/state projects, the BTN monthly award information for school/state projects, as well as information regarding what BTN is and the role we all play in it. I will also be having a Breakthrough to Nursing Seminar at the MidYear Conference filled with helpful information regarding what is BTN, how you can get involved, starting and planning school projects, and what the BTN committee is doing on the national level! Please send me an email if you have questions or think that your chapter or association project could be shared with the membership and added into the Toolkit. Read More

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
Andrew Richardson
Legislative Chair
​Maryland Association of Nursing Students (MANS)
Camp Cardiac