What is the Role of the Breakthrough to Nursing Committee?
Breakthrough to Nursing® (BTN) is NSNA’s® project to increase the number and diversity of students choosing nursing as a career. The project was established because of NSNA’s® concern over the inadequacy of health care delivery to minority group members and the lack of minority group health care providers. The objectives of the project are to promote career opportunities in nursing, with a focus on substantially increasing the number of students from groups who traditionally have been underrepresented in nursing. The project has been supported by NSNA since 1965. Its effectiveness seems due, in part, to the peer relationship that can be established between nursing students and minority group elementary, middle and high school students. In addition, through the Foundation of the NSNA, scholarship support is available for diverse nursing students to increase the number of registered nurses from ethnic minorities in the profession.
BTN also teaches nursing students to be culturally competent in their care of all patients. Resolutions passed by the NSNA House of Delegates has expanded the Project to include the recruitment of students from all underrepresented populations.
I am Courtney McClure Uche, an enthusiastic and ambitious nursing student at Georgia Gwinnett College, where I’m not just studying diligently but also shattering leadership barriers. Hailing from the vibrant heart of Atlanta, Georgia, I juggle the beautiful chaos of being a dedicated mother to four amazing daughters while immersing myself in the world of healthcare and advocacy.
Graduating magna cum laude from Central Georgia Technical College, I've been honored with numerous accolades, including the esteemed Johnson & Johnson Nursing Scholarship. As the Breakthrough to Nursing Director for both the National and Georgia Association of Nursing Students, I am fiercely committed to empowering the next generation of nurses and advancing our profession.
My journey began in the skies as a flight attendant, where I mastered the art of communication and learned to navigate high-pressure situations with grace and compassion. Those experiences have seamlessly transitioned into my nursing path, where empathy and effective leadership are essential.
With an unwavering commitment to my community and a vibrant spirit, I am poised to leave a lasting impact in the nursing field, driven by my dedication to compassion, ethical leadership, and excellence.