Submitted by Professor Susan Stone, chapter co-advisor
Valencia Community College is pleased to be a part of the NSNA Leadership University. Valencia Community College has many outstanding students who have become leaders in the nursing profession. Many of our students develop this commitment and dedication to the nursing profession from their involvement and participation within the Valencia Nursing Student Association (VNSA). As an organization, VNSA has won many local, state and national awards to recognize the active chapter the students have developed.
The membership is approximately 300 students strong with a consistent faculty advisement of three faculty members (Cheryl McConnell, Susan Stone and Rita Swanson ). Although the student body leadership changes after serving a two- year term, the faculty remains the same, thereby providing continuity within the organization. The terms of office are staggered: one-half the board leaves office every two years (i.e. President and Secretary/Treasurer and two public relations committee members run one year and then Vice-President and three public relations committee members run for office the following year). As a result of this practice, the Board remains in harmony and the policies stay consistent. The potential for mentorship is also easily implemented since the new board is guided in leadership protocol by the remaining board in office. This process facilitates the flow of the meetings and the program developed by the organization. Further mentorship is encouraged by the outreach by the Board of VNSA by encouraging active involvement from the membership to work with the Board and learn the job they may be interested in having at some future time.
The largest part of the VNSA connection to the NSNA Leadership U involves volunteerism and recruitment for student membership, and active participation in the nursing student association. Initially, VNSA invites all students, pre-nursing as well as new nursing students, to attend monthly VNSA meetings and become familiar with the organization. Members of the Board answer questions and welcome the new visitors which results in the increased membership VNSA enjoys. VNSA has won the NSNA Project InTouch award several times in recent years.
Many students also recruit future nursing students in presentations at high school, and during career days on campus. They also visit classes offered to pre-nursing students on campus. This worthwhile activity enhances the Breakthrough to Nursing Project mission within the goals of the VNSA.
Another aspect of the leadership education that VNSA nurtures is from the many volunteer endeavors that students organize and participate. Throughout the two and one-half years that students are enrolled in the College, they must demonstrate a total of 24 hours of volunteerism. During the first semester, they are required to submit six volunteer hours. If these hours are not met, the student receives an incomplete until the hours are completed.
This college-wide requirement results from Valencia Community College’s mission to serve the surrounding community in an effort to enhance the quality of life in the Central Florida area. We also encourage students to take a responsible role in the community and thereby become a caring and compassionate leader in the health care industry. Community outreach projects take on a life of their own and result in more requests than we can fill. Students acquire additional benefits from these interventions and have continued to remain active and visible within the community after graduation. This commitment has earned the College recognition and rewarded the student by enhancing job opportunities, fostering community identification, and honors from many state and national nursing associations.
At the completion of the Valencia Nursing Program, the graduating senior must submit all 24 hours of volunteerism within a “Portfolio of Accomplishments,” along with a resume and cover letter. Students receive a grade for the Portfolio.
The new graduate then has a portfolio to use when they begin to seek employment as a registered nurse. The employment rate for VCC nurse graduates is 98%. Many local facilities actively recruit VCC students for future employment because they value the leadership components that are integrated into the curriculum. Several of our graduates are active in the Florida Nurses Association. As nursing leaders they return to VNSA meetings to mentor the students and inform them about their role as future graduates in the Greater Central Florida nursing community. Our expectation is that this will create a proactive, caring and involved nursing leader for the 21st Century.
Need more information? Send an e-mail to Professor Susan Stone: sustone@gwmail.valencia.cc.fl.us
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