Anyone a member of NSNA (natl student nurse assoc)?

JudithL_in_NH · Jul 30, 2004

I am curious if anyone here is a member of NSNA or has heard anything about it? It's about $30 annually to be a member (depending on your location). I'm thinking about signing up, but would like to hear some input. Here's their website: http://www.nsna.org/ Thanks!
...Jennifer...

Our CC has a chapter and I am a member. All we really do is fundraise for student nursing activities, a lot. In addition to fundraising, we held one blood drive. I'm very active in the community via other organizations, but our NSNA really doesn't do all that much.

The funds raised help pay for a Senior-Freshman BBQ, a Freshman welcome lunch, a Senior farewell lunch (all pretty modest, really), and it seems that anyone interested in going gets some funding help to go to the conference, and the CC's Student Senate also helps us fund that. Folks who've been to the conference say it's valuable, not so much for the partying, though that does go on, but for the NCLEX review sessions.

Personally, I don't see that membership is incredibly valuable or advances us professionally. I helped out some with fundraising last year and at the blood drive, and I'll do so again this year. I may go to the conference if the timing works out with our studies (we miss a week of classes and clinical if we go--I'm not sure I want to do that). We were *very strongly* encouraged to join at our Freshman BBQ last year, yet, now as a senior, I don't know of many in our program who feel it's enhanced their student nursing experience.

Talk to seniors at your school to see what they've really gotten out of it.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2004

Local NSA chapters are basically what the students make them. They can be very active, or not so active. It depends on the drive of the officers and the amount and quality of support that can be generated from the general membership. A well-run NSA gets the general membership motivated and involved. What activities are participated in come from the local base.

Among the benefits available to students are scholarships, professional (or pre-professional) Liability Insurance on the cheap and health insurance. Yes, you can get sued as a student nurse and I know for a fact that the insurance premium I pay to my school covers the SCHOOL, not me, in the event of a mishap.

EyesForward · Aug 5, 2004

Yes Jennifer, I not only belong as a member, I'm an officer of our executive board. It is absolutely worth supporting, not only with your dollars, but with your time and talents. Our local chapter works in the community to advance the profession of nursing by lending our time and talent to events such as Race for the Cure, childhood screening for amblyoplia, recruiting new nursing students from local high schools, etc. It's a great way to have fun with your fellow classmates and grow as professionals.

Hi Miss! Sending you a PM...

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2004

Wendy, PM'd you back.

Kathy

nessa1982 · Aug 5, 2004

Our school requires all of us to join. I don't plan on going to Daytona (dont have the $$$), and I don't think I'm active. It may be bad but at the moment I don't care about NSNA. :uhoh3: I got bigger fish to fry

nikonos · Aug 5, 2004

At my school NSNA membership is factored into the semester fees with tuition so it's kinda cool, I have heard several positive things about the organization.