By Kirsten Mahon/tr news editor
Giovanni Rebosio/The Collegian
The Texas Nursing Students Association gives students a variety of ways to improve their skills and network in their profession.
The group runs health fairs and blood drives giving medical students live experience with patients. Students can learn how to deal with people through the association as building communication skills is crucial to the medical field. The association also organizes the new student orientations on the TRE Campus and acts as a support family for nursing students.
Knowing that soon these students will help citizens with illnesses that can often pose a threat of death or permanent disability places a certain weight on the new nurses’ shoulders.
TCC’s chapter of the TNSA has been around for nearly 40 years, since 1973.
“It’s the largest student body group in the district,” said Joseph Cameron, divisional dean of nursing on TRE Campus.
Cameron said it’s important for nursing students to ground their people skills because it will help them deal with the different situations they’ll encounter in the field. He believes the TNSA is a beneficial program that can help.
“To be out in public gives students confidence,” said Paula Strittmatter, public relations representative of TCC’s TNSA chapter.
Strittmatter said sometimes students don’t realize how much they know until placed in real situations. Taking part in these events also gives veteran students chances to brush up on their skills and stay sharp.
“As a board member, having everyone else there is my support,” TCC chapter president Nicole Carlson said.
Nursing students go through a cycle of five semesters before they graduate, Strittmatter said. The first three semesters deal with medical foundation, adult physical health and mental health. The fourth semester deals with obstetrics and pediatrics, and the final semester combines everything the nurses have learned. TNSA students at this level become mentors for foundational students.
“Sometimes, they’re not real adept or confident to where to put the blood pressure cuff or where to put their stethoscope,” Strittmatter said. “The more time we’re out there, the better the opportunity is to share, and they get more familiarity with teaching and assessing.”
Carlson said the association gives students opportunities to network with other big organizations. According to Cindy Mask, surgical technology instructor, hospitals look for students to have extracurricular activities and community service participation in résumés because it proves a student’s willingness to help those in need.
Carlson said the three largest areas the association provides for students are service, support and networking. Students can learn where to get their tools, organize study groups and help each other with their individual strengths.
Nursing students who wish to join may contact student activities on any campus.
