Kentucky Association of Nursing Students June/July 2013 KANS NEWSLETTER Convention

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1 KANS NEWSLETTER 2013 Convention This year s theme is Putting the Pieces Together Where do You Fit In? Read for more details. NSNA KANS invaded the national convention in Charlotte, NC this year. See page 2. Save the Date A printable save the date card for this year s convention can be found on page 5. Letter from the President Rebecca Durham, RN Welcome to all of my fellow and future RNs and congratulations to all of our new RNs who graduated in May, what an amazing feat you have accomplished is destined to be a year worth remembering as a member of KANS. My fellow board members and I have a vision of seeing KANS become an even stronger entity that is community centered and demonstrate that even as nursing students we think and work beyond ourselves. We understand that it feels some days that you do not have a life outside of books, class and clinical but we also realize that there is so much more to life. As a group we want to provide opportunities to involve you and your local KANS chapter with ideas of giving back and we would love to hear your feedback on how you feel we can accomplish this mutual goal. I believe that together we can show how KANS CARES. Becky Durham, RN KANS President 1

2 KANS Invades Charlotte This past spring, KANS, along with many Kentucky nursing schools, attended NSNA s th Annual National Convention In April, thousands of nursing students from across the United States, gathered in Charlotte, NC for the 60 th Annual National Association of Nursing Students Convention. If you haven t had the chance to attend a nursing student convention, I highly recommend it before you graduate. There were several focus sessions for every different interest. Some of them were; Trends in Emergency Nursing, Pharmacology Made Easy, What s Hot in Oncology?, Nurses as Models of Wellness, A Career in Midwifery and Nephrology Nursing, just to name a few. Each session was packed with nursing students eager to learn what was in store for them with this rewarding career. NSNA also offered a mini three day NCLEX review. Each student was given a huge book with all of the things we need to know in order to pass the NCLEX with ease. Each school or organization had the opportunity to sell fundraising items during the convention. KANS made several hundred dollars selling t- shirts, tumblers and beach towels. All money made will be used to fund our upcoming convention in October. There were opening and closing ceremonies, keynote speakers, zumba classes, bone marrow donation registry, free professional headshots and many other activities. There were hundreds of schools and vendors that spoke to all of the students in the exhibitor hall and passed out the free goodies that we all love. Each state had elected delegates who participated in debating and voting on issues that will impact our future careers in nursing. It was an unforgettable experience. If you didn t get to attend the annual conference, you have a chance to attend the Mid- Year Conference held a little closer to home. It will be November 7 th - 10 th, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. Please visit for more details. Nursing student, Rachel Smith, at this year s NSNA conference in Charlotte, NC. 2

3 Kentucky Association of Nursing Students June/July 2013 KANS 2013 Annual State Convention Niki Lindon, Midway College KANS Communications Director We plan on having an array of breakout sessions. Some ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! activities we have planned are a mock code, blood drive, mini NCLEX review, CEU opportunities for faculty, prospective employers in an exhibit hall, a chance to meet nursing students from all over the state and the opportunity to run for an state office. We will even have an up close and personal visit from the local flight nurses. Last year s theme, There s Nowhere to Go But Up was a huge success. The attendance tripled from the pervious year s convention. The Executive Board has been working hard to plan an even bigger turn out for this year. The theme this year is, Putting the Pieces Together Where Do You Fit In? We are focusing on the many important roles we will have as a nurse and how we can be the best for our patients. Nurses are responsible for so much more than just passing meds. We are educators, counselors, critical thinkers, listeners and many more. Please mark your calendars for October 10th- 11th, We will meet at the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY. There is a save the date card on the last page you can print and share with your class. Please look in our upcoming newsletters and our website for more information and registration details. Don t miss out on this exciting opportunity. 3

4 The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association in Memory of Frances Tompkins ATTENTION ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS The scholarship application is available from May 2013 until January, 2014 Deadline: MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2014! Download the FNSNA Scholarship Application WHO IS ELIGIBLE? U.S. citizens and students with an Alien Registration number currently enrolled in state- approved schools of nursing or pre- nursing in associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, generic doctorate, and generic master s programs. Funds are not available for graduate study unless it is for a first degree in nursing. Graduating high school seniors are NOT eligible. Megan Mittelman, RN KANS 1 st Vice President Health Corner Every three seconds there is someone that needs a blood transfusion. One pint of blood from one donor can save up to three lives. Sixty percent of the population is able to donate blood, but only about four percent actually do. Donating blood not only can save a life but it also gives you the opportunity to contribute to your community and be a hero for a day! This year at the 2013 KANS Convention you will have the opportunity to participate in this amazing opportunity. The American Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank Bus will be at the KANS convention on October 10, 2013 from 1pm- 6pm. The sessions will be in 15 minute increments. If you would like to participate in this wonderful opportunity you can contact, Megan Mittelman RN, via at meganmittelman@hotmail.com. HOW MUCH MONEY IS AVAILABLE? The NSNA Foundation awards over $345,000 annually in the general scholarship and promise of nursing programs. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000. PROMISE OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS are available in selected regions of the US. Your school/college of nursing s zip code determines eligibility for this new scholarship program which is supported by fund- raising events sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Funds for this scholarship are supported by contributors in selected regions. WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED FOR SELECTION? The scholarships are based on academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in nursing student organizations and community activities related to health care. Additional criteria may be required by some sponsors. WHEN WILL THE SCHOLARSHIPS BE AWARDED? Scholarships are awarded in the spring of 2014 for use in summer school 2014 and the academic year. Download the FNSNA Scholarship Application, if you would like more information regarding the scholarships that we offer or contact the FNSNA at (718) WHO CHOOSES THE RECIPIENTS? A committee of faculty and students is appointed by the NSNA Foundation to select recipients. ARE THERE ANY FEES INVOLVED? The completed application must be accompanied by a $10 processing fee. WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED WITH THE APPLICATION? All applicants must submit a copy of their recent nursing school and college transcripts, or grade report. NSNA members must submit proof of their membership. Registered nurses in baccalaureate programs and licensed practical/vocational nurses in programs leading to registered nurse licensure must submit a copy. 4

5 Free CEUs for Faculty, Advisors and RNs? Who does that? KANS does! This year s KANS convention is going to offer something bigger than we have ever offered more FREE CEUs. Last year we had one CEU class. This year, we will have at least 2 and possibly a third CEU offering. Hurst Review Services will provide the following 2 sessions for faculty who are attending the conference. Understanding the Development of the NCLEX Test Plan: Every three years the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) performs an extensive survey and analysis of the NCLEX Test Plan process. Understanding the purpose of NCSBN, the NCLEX practice analysis survey, the Client Needs categories and test plan will give you insight that can be used to evaluate your curriculum. Incorporation of this NCLEX process and mindset into the instructional plan of your curriculum will enhance your student performance on the NCLEX. This continuing nursing education activity has been approved by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center s Commission on Accreditation for 1.5 CEU s. Structuring Your Test Items to the NCLEX Format Did you know that NCSBN provides educators with specific guidelines on how to write an NCLEX style question? Learn how to follow this item writing process as you design your test blueprints and test items. Your students will have an added advantage on the NCLEX if they are accustomed to answering priority questions and alternate format questions written the NCLEX way. This continuing nursing education activity has been approved by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center s Commission on Accreditation for 1.5 CEU s. Additionally, our students have expressed an interest in the Pediatric Head Trauma Shaken Baby Syndrome continuing education required by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. According to the KBN website: The requirement for nurses is a one- time continuing education course of at least 1.5 hours covering the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma as defined by the Act. Nurses licensed as of July 15, 2010 have until December 31, 2013 to complete the course. Nurses licensed after that date have three years from the date of licensure to complete the course. The KANS Board is working on getting this course at convention for students, faculty, advisors and RNs that would like to attend. Any faculty member that has a course approved for CEUs that would like to present this at contention, please contact me as soon as possible. We would love to have more faculty involvement in the sessions and this would be a great start. I hope you are all enjoying your summer away from classes (though, my guess is that many of you are working unofficially on getting fall semester details in order). I hope to see each of you at convention in October. Don t hesitate to contact me if you have questions about convention, chapter involvement or even starting a chapter at your school. Tracy Patil, EdS, MSN, RN KNA Appointed Consultant to KANS tracy.patil@lmunet.edu

6 Print this save the date card and post it where your peers can see! We hope to see you there! KANS PO Box 2027 Corbin, KY kansnews.wordpress.com We Want to Hear From You! We would like to feature you and your school. If you have had any nursing school experiences or if your school is doing something special, share with us! Feel free to write up an article and it to Be sure to include a picture. 6