University of Wisconsin- Madison Student Nurses Association Fall 2013 Newsletter

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1 University of Wisconsin- Madison Student Nurses Association Fall 2013 Newsletter First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has made this semester a success! The focus of this semester was bringing together our Wisconsin community including students, faculty, In this Newsletter Page 2 Mentor Program Kaplan Seminar Page 3 Blood Drive Linus Blankets Pages 4-8 Halloween Party administration, and alumni. We have aligned with our mission to incorporate service, learning and a social aspect into events. A few highlights include- service through a blood drive, learning via a Kaplan Seminar, and the Halloween Party as a social event. The events have been successful due to our positive, energetic, and supportive nursing student community. We hope to continue the same energy and enthusiasm into the Spring semester! President: Neal Cragg Vice President: Kelly McGinn Treasurer: Michelle Okerstrom Secretary: Izzi Brzycki Junior Representatives: Dani Keller and Maddie Jacobs

2 Mentor-Mentee Program The first semester of nursing school can be a daunting change. One way to ease the transition is to learn from those who have been through it. In order to support first-year students and create a stronger nursing community, SNA began the mentor/mentee program at the start of Fall Almost all first-year students were connected with a second-year mentor who could assist them with studying tips, clinical nerves, and questions about nursing progression and licensure. This was an effective way for first-years to gain understanding, while allowing second-years the chance to participate in a meaningful volunteer opportunity. We hope this program is continued so that future new nursing students can reap the benefits as well! Kaplan Seminar On Monday, December 1st, SNA partnered with Kaplan to host an NCLEX informational seminar. The seminar covered the ins and outs of how to succeed on the NCLEX, including how the test is scored, what types of questions are used, and why a longer test isn't always a bad thing. Kaplan provided pizza & pharmacology study booklets for students, and held a drawing for a free Kaplan NCLEX course. The event was well attended by SNA members, with ~120 students attending the conference, and those who did not attend expressed interest in information/another event. We look forward to having Kaplan return in the spring for another seminar! 2 UW SNA Fall 2013

3 American Red Cross Blood Drive This semester we held a blood drive through the American Red Cross. It is estimated that every two seconds someone is in need of blood. As healthcare workers, we recognized this need and saw a great service opportunity for the UW SoN Community. We had 46 donations which will benefit up to 140 people! We will be holding another blood drive next semester and hope to increase the donations! Linus Blankets A group of SNA members came together before Thanksgiving break to make tie blankets to donate to Project Linus. This non-profit organization began in 1995 with one blanket given to a small girl fighting cancer and has grown to providing over 5 million blankets with a chapter in all 50 states. Their mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through gifts of new, handmade blankets. SNA purchased many fun fabrics for boys and girls of all ages and with 20 energetic volunteers, we made over 30 tie blankets over conversations of clinicals and cozy snacks. The blankets were dropped off the next day and were happily seen a week later on a floor at the American Family Children s Hospital with their new Linus Project labels, waiting to be gifted to the children during the holiday season. More information about Project Linus can be found at their website and donation information for the Dane County Chapter can be found at 3 UW SNA Fall 2013

4 Halloween Party 2013! With intentions of creating a fun and comfortable environment where first and second year nursing students could meet, socialize, and get to know one another, the Student Nurses Association hosted its first ever Halloween Costume Party/Luncheon this past October, and it was well received by the SoN Community! SNA was pleased to announce that over 150 students, faculty, and staff participated in this festive event. Complimentary lunch was funded by SNA for anyone who was daring enough to dress up in their Halloween costumes. SNA also held a costume contest in which prizes were awarded to the three best costumes, determined by professors and clinical instructors of the School of Nursing. This social was an opportunity for SNA to bring together and solidify connections between professors, clinical instructors, administration over a casual lunch and Halloween festivities. This Halloween Costume Party was a success and will no doubt be continued annually in Signe Skott Cooper Hall for many years to come. 4 UW SNA Fall 2013

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