ATLANTA – Mercer University was the only institution to have two students elected to the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) Board of Directors at the organization's 62nd Annual Convention, April 9-13, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rebeka Rivera and Craig Reuscher, both rising seniors in the University's Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, were voted into office and installed on April 12. Rivera will serve as secretary/treasurer, and Reuscher as director of the Southern Election Area. Other members of the board represent institutions such as California State University at Fresno, Duquense University, Villanova University and the University of North Florida.
Additionally, Rivera and two other Mercer nursing students – Jaclyn Maida and Brianna Alvarez – received NSNA scholarships. Rivera received the $2,500 Cleo Doster Memorial Scholarship. Maida received the $1,550 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Scholarship, and Alvarez received the $1,500 Oncology Nursing Society Scholarship.
“The mission of the College of Nursing addresses the importance of developing our future nursing professionals in the areas of scholarship and leadership, and we live our mission,” said Dr. Linda Streit, R.N. DSN, dean of the College. “One hundred percent of our pre-licensure students are members of NSNA, and faculty encourage and mentor students to take advantage of the opportunities within this organization.”
Founded in 1952, NSNA is a nonprofit organization for students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate, diploma and generic graduate nursing programs. Dedicated to mentoring students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses and conveying the standards, ethics and skills that students will need as responsible and accountable leaders and members of the profession, the organization has more than 60,000 members in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The NSNA Board of Directors is made up of 10 nursing students elected at the organization's annual convention. Two non-voting consultants are appointed by the American Nurses Association and the National League for Nurses to provide guidance. NSNA also employs a full-time staff headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.
More than 3,000 students, speakers, faculty members, consultants and exhibitors participated in this year's Annual Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. The convention featured leadership and career development activities, as well as opportunities to listen to renowned nursing leaders, hear about job opportunities and network with other students. The program also included a state board exam mini review.
About the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing
Founded in 1902 as a school of nursing, the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing is the oldest nursing program in Georgia. Over its 111-year history, the College has graduated more than 7,500 nurses. Since its founding, the College remains dedicated to educating the person, fostering the passion and shaping the future of nursing. The College merged with Mercer University in 2001 and offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Ph.D. in nursing. The College of Nursing is one of four academic units within the Mercer University Health Sciences Center. nursing.mercer.edu
