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 Fall Memo

Greetings NSNA Members!
 
The fall semester is officially here and the NSNA Breakthrough to Nursing® Committee is excited to work with all of you. This year the MidYear Career Planning Conference takes place in Louisville, Kentucky from November 8-11, 2018. Registration is now open and the conference brochure is available on the website.
 
The BTN Committee has continued to work on outreach programs to provide project ideas and tips to school and state chapters. This campaign was started to achieve the goals we set forth at the June Board meeting.  The BTN Toolkit was created to pass information on to students in a way that’s easily accessible and frequently viewed.  I have received many emails asking for more information on a topic or project people have seen in the toolkit.  We have also continued the work of the 2017-2018 BTN Committee.  If you have a story, articles, or projects that revolve around BTN, contact me for more information on how to get it into the toolkit. Don’t forget to download the Breakthrough to Nursing Toolkit and the BTN Guidelines for Planning to learn more about how to plan your BTN projects and apply for the BTN Monthly Awards.

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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)