California State University Sacramento, California

Submitted by: Louise Timmer, Ed.D., R.N., Professor, and CNSA Advisor

Leadership development begins with the first day of our nursing program. At California State University, Sacramento nursing students are expected to become active members of the local chapter of the state nursing students association, California Nursing Students Association (CNSA). In one of the first nursing courses, the Introduction to Professional Nursing, students learn how important it is to belong to the American Nurses Association (ANA) after graduation. To facilitate leadership development, nursing students are evaluated in every course on their adherence to the ANA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The nursing faculty firmly believe that the two fundamental areas of nursing include the art and science of nursing care and the professional role of a registered nurse. These two areas of nursing practice are closely intertwined and essential for the advancement and protection of the profession.

Nursing students are encouraged to participate in the on-campus and off-campus activities and projects arranged for them by the CNSA Board of Directors throughout the year. Faculty agree to provide extra credit points for theory and/or hours in the clinical courses for students to volunteer for CNSA community service projects. Activities include assistance with local and state conferences for the American Nurses Association/California, local health fairs, community projects for underserved populations, recruitment into nursing, health education to schools, and attending state and national nursing student conventions. Officers, project coordinators, chairpersons, and members may earn academic credit for the amount of time they participate in the special projects. Nursing students may enroll in an independent study course that provides guidance by a faculty member and may range from one to six units of clinical work. This guided study course appears on the student’s transcript and is placed on their resume for future employment purposes.

The extra credit and independent study opportunities have dramatically increased the participation in the California State University, Sacramento nursing students. Nursing students are given recognition for the extra hours and independence they demonstrate through participation in the projects. Academic reward for performance appears to be a very strong incentive to nursing students. The nursing students who take advantage of the extra credit points and the independent study credit develop leadership skills that continue to be honed in the workplace as well as in the state nurses association. Best of all, nursing students work with faculty members who are active in the state nurses association and provide hands-on guidance in real-life health care and professional problems in their community. What a great way to learn nursing practice and the professional nurse role!!

Need more information? Send an e-mail to Professor Louise Timmer: timmerlf@csus.edu