Testimonials from

the  NSNA Board of Directors

Katelyn Finnegan, Imprint Editor
"NSNA is an organization that tailors its every move to suit the student nurse. From conferences to publications, NSNA is there to support student nurses and help mold them into tomorrow's leaders. As the Editor of Imprint, I have had the opportunity to travel across the country for the Annual NSNA Convention and MidYear Career Planning Conference; to network with nursing students, faculty and nurse leaders; to attend the National Presidential Debate at Hofstra University; and to visit the American Journal of Nursing headquarters in New York City. Through the Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association, I was awarded the Johnson and Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future scholarship which helped pay my college tuition. As a nursing student I firmly believe every student nurse should be a member of this organization and leave their Imprint on the world."
"NSNA has been the foundation of my journey in nursing school. The endless opportunities to expand my knowledge and leadership skills outside of the academic setting are invaluable to my professional development. The skills and experience that I have received throughout my time in NSNA will stay with me throughout my entire career. NSNA has provided me with the confidence to be a better advocate, leader, and nurse."​
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Marcus Henderson,
​COSP Chair
Melanie Fleury,
​NSNA Director
"Being part of NSNA has affected me in more ways than just my career path. NSNA has encouraged me to be an advocate for my patients and also for my fellow nursing students. I have learned to be confident in my speaking abilities and being a voice for others. I also have learned so much from the great nurse leaders I have met and from all the wonderful students I come in contact with. It is exciting to be a part of an organization that continues to teach me about the type of person I want to be as a nurse, but also in my personal life."
"Joining NSNA has been one of the best choices I have made in my undergraduate experiences as a nursing student. NSNA has taught me the importance of involvement in professional nursing organizations and it has given me some amazing mentors and friends. It has also cultivated my leadership and communication skills which will definitely help me as a future nurse. Through NSNA, I have formed relationships with proactive nurse leaders, nursing students, and faculty members across the nation which have all contributed to my personal growth. Most importantly, this organization has strengthened my collaborative skills and confidence which has enabled me to be a strong advocate for my patients, social justice, and serve as a mentor for students in my community."
Amina Aden,
​NSNA Director
Adam Tebben,
​NSNA President
"Being part of NSNA has accelerated my development as a professional. Involvement in NSNA has expanded my world view outside of the classroom and clinical setting to see the true scope of the nursing profession. Because of this, I have a better understanding of the challenges that the profession faces now and in the future to improve patient care. While these challenges may seem difficult NSNA prepares future RN leaders to be advocates, contributors, and a unified voice to make necessary change.  NSNA is the pillar of my development as a student nurse to becoming a professional nurse.  As someone who has been involved in NSNA for three years, I have had the gift of seeing many students grow into passionate contributors to the nursing profession. As student leaders the seed of self-discovery and intellectual curiosity is planted in us by NSNA which is then cultivated and blossoms.  Faculty is integral to our professional development through mentorship and by supporting our participation in NSNA.   It is the passion of nursing students today that will brighten the future of the nursing profession tomorrow."
"I started out in the NSNA by chance. An instructor at my school invited me to participate in our state’s annual convention. After that point, I became deeply involved with my school's chapter, and later the national level. Because of the NSNA, I developed wonderful and lasting relationships with my classmates, instructors, as well as local leaders. I had the opportunity to coordinate and be involved with service projects that helped improve my community. After attending the NSNA Convention in Orlando last spring, I got to experience motivational talks, interesting workshops, and meet and network with fellow nursing students from across the country. My leadership and public speaking skills have been improved. I am very grateful for everything that being a part of the NSNA has taught me, and will forever remember the impact that it has had on me."
Lauren Earnshaw,
​NSNA Director
Raya Cupler,
​NSNA Director
"I've always loved leadership and when I started nursing school it seemed natural for me to look for opportunities to get involved. I stumbled across my SNA chapter which opened my eyes up to NSNA and state SNA.  I started to attend conferences and ran for a position, which was probably one of the moments in my life where I've experience a great amount of growth in a very short period of time. After being elected the growth only continued, I've been given the opportunity to develop my skills and been exposed to further opportunities which have helped me as an individual, a professional, and most definitely a leader. It has also broken down the boundaries of my network allowing me to connect, work with, and learn from nursing students and nurses all over the country. I am eternally grateful to NSNA and the experiences that I have been afforded."
"NSNA has impacted my life tremendously, especially in the aspect of my development with school and my nursing career.  Being a part of such a great organization has taught me skills and lessons that I have taken back to my local chapter to implement, as well as in my daily life.  Student leaders I am in contact with constantly teach me new things and inspire me to become a better leader and nurse.  I have learned that throughout my nursing career I want to be involved and be the change I wish to see.  This organization has given me the tools to do just that.  There is a lot beyond the bedside of nursing and NSNA has given me the confidence to explore every part of it."
Jennifer Kalenkoski,
​ NSNA Breakthrough to Nursing Director
Coventry Jankowski,
NSNA Vice President
​"As I consider the path that has brought me to my last fall quarter of nursing school, I see that there were no shortcuts; there was no easy way to get here. I have to admit, in the beginning of my journey I questioned what I had gotten myself into, especially when I realized I would have to give up much of what I knew well and step far, far outside my comfort zone. That said, one thing that has held fast through all of my struggles is the support and guidance NSNA has provided me, the role it has played in my growth as a student, a leader and a person. Through NSNA I have formed alliances with nurses involved in politics, ethics and research. I have connected with nursing students interested in everything from consulting and journalism to geriatrics and pediatric oncology. My membership in NSNA was the key that opened the doors to these important and meaningful relationships. NSNA provided a common ground for me to easily collaborate and exchange ideas with fellow nursing students, mentors and nurse leaders. My involvement with NSNA has revealed to me a future full of opportunity, a future where I can make a difference – not only in the lives of my patients, but also in the lives of nurses across the country!"
"NSNA has taught me an abundance of skills not only in the aspect of time management, but also implementing professional development into my everyday life. I have taken the knowledge and organization of budgeting and taxes that being the NSNA treasurer has provided me with to not only assist my local chapter in creating a budget, but also benefiting my personal life. The role of secretary has equipped me to take thorough notes in my classes and minutes for my local chapter and has polished my organizational skills as well. Being an NSNA board member has increased my confidence in public speaking. I have seen the importance of not being afraid to be the voice of others. NSNA has provided countless opportunities to better myself as a future nurse and most importantly as a patient advocate."
Ashlee Halstead,
​NSNA Secretary/
​Treasurer