Grounded in Purpose: Fairfield Nursing Students Reflect on the NSNA Convention
As the largest Fairfield delegation ever to attend the National Student Nurses’ Association Convention, nine Egan School seniors traveled to Houston, Texas, this spring to present their capstone research, connect with peers and professionals from across the country, and explore the future of nursing. From showcasing evidence-based research projects to attending specialty sessions and networking with nurse leaders, the experience offered students valuable opportunities for professional growth and personal reflection. Following the conference, students shared how the event strengthened their confidence, expanded their perspectives on the profession, and reinforced the distinctive value of a Fairfield nursing education.
The theme of this year's convention was "Grounded in Purpose and Destined for the Stars." I left Texas feeling truly inspired. The opportunities are endless for nurses. I was surrounded by many future nurses, current nurses, nurse leaders like Jeff Doucette and Kellie Bryant, and nurse recruiters. There were also plenty of graduate schools promoting futures in nurse anesthesiology, nurse practitioner, clinical instructor, and nurse leaders/educators. In the early mornings, each day I was able to further prepare for the NCLEX with the Uworld review. In this review we looked at test taking strategies for bowtie questions and case studies. I was refreshed upon maternal complications of pregnancy, common childhood illness, and the cardiovascular system. In the mid-morning each day, I presented my poster to all who came by. I learned that not all nursing programs have students that do research. This capstone project in retrospect makes Fairfield stand out. There were focus sessions in the afternoon each day.
The NSNA 74th Annual Convention has truly been a defining experience at this point in my education and career process. This opportunity gave me the chance to communicate professionally, not only with my classmates but also with future colleagues nationwide! I was able to relate the core Jesuit values I learned at Fairfield University during the convention. For example, I attended a lecture, “The Role of Animals in Health Care.” This gave me pertinent information on the application, risks, and benefits of this complementary therapy that I can educate my patients on to support their psychological well-being. Various sessions piqued the interest of each student, and we all were able to share what we learned at these focus sessions. With that being said, I learned about fields such as correctional nursing, CWOCN, and oncology through conversations with my peers. During my time at the convention, I was also able to earn a Seizure First Aid certificate. Most of all, the keynote speakers were truly inspirational and have only made me more excited to see what positive impact I can have on this amazing profession. Overall, this was truly a meaningful experience that I will forever be grateful for, thanks to Fairfield's SNA, faculty, and my peers.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend the NSNA convention and represent Fairfield University. It was incredibly inspiring to connect with and learn from other student nurses and nurse leaders from across the country. Engaging in these conversations not only broadened my perspective on the profession but also gave me greater confidence in discussing my own research and the knowledge I have gained throughout my nursing education and clinical experience. I also enjoyed collaborating with my peers and hearing about their research as well!
I especially enjoyed attending lectures in specialties I am interested in, including pediatrics and oncology, as they provided valuable insight into potential career pathways and available resources. One session that stood out to me was the seizure certification lecture, which further expanded my clinical knowledge in a meaningful way. Overall, this experience reinforced my passion for nursing and motivated me to continue growing both academically and professionally. I would love to attend this conference again in my future nursing career.
I am truly thankful to Dr. LoGiudice for her constant support and guidance, which made this experience possible. I highly recommend this experience for incoming juniors and seniors at Fairfield, as I feel there is a lot to gain from attending!
Attending the NSNA conference in Houston Texas this past weekend was a fantastic experience. I got the privilege to share this opportunity with students from universities all over the country. Everyone was excited and impressed by the number of students Fairfield brought to the conference, as well as the fact that each student presented their own individual poster. Over the course of the conference, I had the opportunity to discuss and share, my research and observations with fellow peers and faculty from other universities, as well as professionals from various hospital organizations. I would like to sincerely thank COSO and the Egan School of Nursing for supporting this trip.
Attending the NSNA Convention was a valuable experience that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally as a nursing student. I had the opportunity to present my capstone project to students and faculty from universities across the country, which strengthened my confidence and communication skills. I also engaged in meaningful conversations with other nursing students, nurses, and educators, gaining new perspectives outside of the traditional clinical setting. Throughout the conference, I attended sessions on becoming a pediatric nurse and a wound care nurse, as well as a Seizure and Epilepsy First Aid class, where I learned about different types of seizures, their causes, and appropriate interventions. Listening to the opening and closing remarks was especially inspiring and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career in nursing. I plan to carry what I learned into my future practice by applying this knowledge to patient care, continuing to seek out learning opportunities, and building strong professional relationships. Overall, this experience helped me expand my knowledge, build connections, and continue developing into a well-rounded nursing professional.
The NSNA Conference in Houston, Texas, was an amazing opportunity to learn and network before graduation! As a nursing major, I feel as though there can be an educational gap on how important networking is when obtaining a job as a new grad and transitioning into your dream unit. During the symposium, I had many students and professors from other schools approach me about my project, and we continued to talk to develop a relationship and even connect on LinkedIn. Gathering perspectives from students in different programs and states helped me learn about many opportunities available to me after graduation, and it was interesting to compare their nursing school experiences to mine!
Throughout the few days, I also had the opportunity to attend information sessions about oncology and pediatric nursing. These programs were special because everyone attending was either extremely passionate about the specialty or genuinely passionate about learning, regardless of the topic. It was an amazing opportunity to see what pathways are available for me after graduation and even further down the line if I decide to pivot my career in a new direction. I was able to learn about different kinds of certifications and further education that would be valuable knowledge to have, and also help me stand out to employers. I especially loved engaging with some of the educational companies we utilize here at Fairfield, such as Archer, and with the NCLEX coming up in a few months, I enjoyed seeing what resources other companies offered. Overall, I thought this experience was exciting and inspiring! If given the opportunity, I would definitely attend in the future as an advisor!
Attending the NSNA convention this year in Houston was a rewarding experience that deepened both my professional and personal growth as a future nurse. Presenting my capstone project provided me with the opportunity to communicate my research and clinical findings to a broader audience, strengthening my confidence in public speaking and professional presentation prior to Fairfield University’s Annual Research Symposium. Beyond my own presentation, I had the privilege of engaging with nursing students and healthcare professionals from across the country, exchanging ideas and perspectives that expanded my understanding of the nursing profession on a national level. The convention reinforced the importance of evidence-based practice, advocacy, and lifelong learning, which I will now carry with me throughout my nursing career. I am grateful to Fairfield University and the Egan School of Nursing for making this experience possible!
