Start or Strengthen an Official NSNA chapter

As a student leader, you'll learn and practice essential leadership skills by initiating or strengthening an existing NSNA chapter in your school. NSNA members may earn formal credit for the leadership learning that is inherent in this activity. Consider approaching faculty to explore the possibility of having your start-a-chapter experience counted toward course requirements or independent study elective credit. Use your course syllabus to see if you can meet the objectives with the following leadership activities:

Start-A-Chapter Leadership Activities

Picture
  • Establish a Start-A-Chapter committee;
  • Become and official NSNA chapter.
  • Serve as a member of the school chapter membership committee).
  • Incorporate the 4 signposts of Professional Identity in Nursing into your leadership formation.​​​ By being aware of what a NSNA membership has to offer, one knows the resources available to assist in creating a professional identity, gain insight, and develop/ grow leadership skills. Here are examples of how involvement with NSNA will help you to form your Professional Identity in Nursing:
    1. Knowledge- An NSNA membership provides invaluable knowledge about NSNA and student-led organizations, the variety of benefits and leadership experiences offered, and the other pre-professional or professional student nursing/ nursing organizations available to optimize success in the field of nursing. 
    2. Leadership- Members are given the chance to voice their opinions on the local, state, and national levels, especially those who take advantage of leadership opportunities within their own chapters. NSNA also shapes phenomenal leaders by teaching self-advocacy, how to advocate for fellow students, and how to be open-minded and receptive to new ideas/methods.
    3. Professional Comportment- This can be accomplished simply by being an active member in NSNA, participating in events and workshops, and understanding what it means to be a part of a pre-professional organization.  Build your confidence by recruiting new members into your chapter. 

By participating in this activity, you will be able to:

  • Identify and list your leadership attributes;
  • Evaluate your personal capacity for leadership;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the complex role organizations play in the profession and society.
  • Gain invaluable knowledge about NSNA, the variety of benefits and experiences offered,  and the other pre-professional or professional student nursing/ nursing organizations out there in order to optimize success in the field of nursing.
  • Afforded the opportunity to voice opinions  on the local, state, and national levels, especially those who take advantage of leadership opportunities within their own chapters. 
  • Being aware of  what a NSNA membership has to offer, one knows the resources available to assist in creating a professional identity in nursing, gain insight, and develop/ grow leadership skills. 
  • Gain self-confidence as you form your Professional Identity in Nursing.
Crystal Nettles,​ 2022-2023 NSNA Director and Chair, Membership Committee, discusses the benefits of NSNA Membership, how to obtain school/state Official Constituency Status, plan activities and engage with your members and how to apply for the NSNA Leadership U Honor Society.​

Start-A-Chapter Learning Objectives

  • Learn the role of bylaws, policies, and procedures in organizations;
  • Create or review bylaws, polices, and procedures for the chapter;
  • Prepare an agenda and run a meeting;
  • Present written and verbal reports of committee deliberations;
  • Analyze issues related to chapter bylaws, policies, and procedures to start a chapter and for the chapter's membership recruitment (i.e. Total School Membership and Stellar School recognition);
  • Conduct mass meetings to establish the chapter and to approve the bylaws;
  • Understand how to use resources related to the role (i.e. Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised);
  • Understand and practice collaboration among peers.

Membership RECRUITMENT Committee Team Leader

  • Work with a faculty advisor to engage faculty support for chapter activities and NSNA involvement;
  • Establish a Membership Recruitment Committee at your school;
  • Schedule Committee meetings;
  • Set the agenda and send out a call to meeting and Chair the meeting;
  • Develop and preset written and verbal reports of committee's deliberations and activities to the chapter executive board and chapter membership.
  • Record minutes.

Membership Recruitment Committee Team

  • Join NSNA;
  • Read NSNA's Membership Recruitment Guidelines;
  • Evaluate membership recruitment activities currently underway;
  • Develop a theme for the membership campaign (or reaffirm the old one);
  • Review NSNA's policies and resolutions that pertain to membership;
  • Identify 2 or 3 goals for the Committee to accomplish in 2 semesters;
  • Sign up for Project In Touch Recruiter number;
  • Publicize Membership activities by providing news items for school and state chapter newsletters, websites, and social media;
  • Communicate activities to state and national Membership Committee chairs;
  • Serve as a liaison with faculty to get the word out about NSNA membership;
  • Submit your project to the Happenings column in Imprint.
See your chapter bylaws for the role and responsibilities specific to your school or state chapter for all committees.
For a list of attributes and ​competencies for future nurse leaders and managers, click here.
For a printable version of the information above, click here.
​For a FREE version of the Leadership Assessment for Student Nurses, click here.