Serve as a Delegate and/or Resolution Author

The democratic process of shared governance is best practiced serving as a delegate in the annual NSNA House of Delegates and/or the state association annual membership meeting. Policies are passed in the form of resolutions that are submitted by NSNA school and state constituents.  There is no substitute for expanding your influence and practicing leadership than by serving as a delegate or the author of a resolution. As a NSNA leader, you'll learn and practice essential leadership skills by participating in the NSNA House of Delegates. Collaborating with your school faculty, NSNA members have the opportunity to receive academic credit or recognition from their respective institutions by crafting Resolutions or representing as delegates in the NSNA House of Delegates. Additionally, participating as a delegate or writing a NSNA Resolution help NSNA members develop their Professional Identity in Nursing. 
​
​Professional Identity Formation in Nursing
The NSNA Leadership University Honor Society accelerates your formation of a professional identity in nursing. Nursing school is the beginning of your leadership journey that will advance your career and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession. NSNA provides numerous opportunities for you to learn about the many facets of the nursing profession including Population and Global Health; Breakthrough to Nursing (recruitment into the profession); Ethics and Governance; Health Policy and Advocacy; Image of Nursing; and governing a school chapter, state association and national organization. Through these programs, social justice, social determinants of health, diversity, equity, and inclusion will contribute to the advancement of nursing’s social mission and are integrated into professional identity.

Think, Act and Feel Like a Nurse
The signposts of professional Identity in Nursing include: Values and Ethics, Leadership, Knowledge, and Professional Comportment.* By practicing leadership in nursing school, you will apply and integrate learning to build your self-confidence and knowledge. You will be better prepared think, act and feel like a professional nurse and to transition into nursing practice and leadership roles as a new graduate RN.

​Here are examples of how involvement as a NSNA Delegate or NSNA Resolution author will help you to form your Professional Identity in Nursing:
  1. Ethics and Values: Help members to incorporate NSNA’s Core Values and Code of Ethics in promoting a positive image of nursing.
  2. Knowledge: Facilitate learning related to a positive image of nursing.
  3. Leadership: Prepare diverse students with the leadership skills needed to represent and promote a positive image for the nursing profession.
  4. Professional Comportment:  Foster nursing students to think, act and feel like a professional nurse.

Leadership Activities

Delegates and Resolution Authors are responsible for:
  • Participating in the House of Delegates Sessions 
  • Participating in the Resolutions Hearings
  • Participating in candidate presentations and election activities 

Students share their experiences of serving as a delegate in the NSNA House of Delegates.
View the Mock House of Delegate debate video above to learn more about  NSNA business meetings and parliamentary procedure.
Learning Objectives
  • Describe and define the role of leadership when serving as a delegate;
  • Gain understanding and a working knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order;
  • Describe and define shared-governance;
  • Understand and practice collaboration among peers;
  • Describe and interpret the complex role organizations play in the nursing profession and society;
  • Describe the role of advocate for patients and the profession of nursing;
  • Identify, define, analyze, and state an opinion related to at least one national issue concerning the delivery of health care and the nursing profession;
  • Contribute to your professional identity in nursing formation;
  • Write and describe a personal vision for the future of the nursing profession.
For a printable version of the information above, click here.
For a list of attributes and competencies for future nurse leaders and managers, click here.
​​​For a FREE version of the Leadership Assessment for Student Nurses, click here.