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Student nurses win 'Chapter of the Year' award

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2012
Loraine O'Connell

Ricardo San Jose and Alanna Jo Alvarez submitted resolutions that were accepted by the Florida Student Nursing Association.

The Student Nursing Association (SNA) at Seminole State College of Florida received the state’s highest award at the Florida Nursing Student Association (FNSA) convention held Nov. 1-3 in Daytona Beach.

The SNA Chapter of the Year award recognizes the energy of the chapter throughout the year. Students participate in a variety of categories, earning points for their participation. The chapter earning the most points wins the award.

Seminole State’s student nursing chapter also received awards in these categories:

• Best Newsletter: “PRN News” for its content and creativity
• Legislative Award: For the chapter’s participation in Lobby Day activities sponsored by the Florida Nurses Association. Students learn how to speak with legislators regarding current bills that would affect nursing and patient care.
• Breakthrough to Nursing: For the chapter’s Boot Camp Mentoring Program Project.  Boot Camp is an opportunity to foster mentorships among nursing students before they enter the program.
• Greatest Membership Increase 
• Community Health Literacy Award: Students developed an educational pamphlet related to obstetrics care.

In addition to these chapter awards, some Seminole State students were recognized individually.

• Alexandra Bush, of Orlando, was elected to the State Corresponding Secretary position.
• Ricardo San Jose, of Orlando, won the Willa Fuller Leadership Scholarship for outstanding individual contributions to FNSA and NSNA.

Two students submitted and successfully defended two resolutions that will be incorporated into the state organization initiatives.

• Ricardo San Jose submitted a resolution supporting diversity in nursing through increased male mentorship, recruitment and retention of male faculty.
• Alanna Jo Alvarez, of Maitland, submitted a resolution supporting increased education and awareness regarding HPV in men.

Seminole State’s nursing programs are based at the Altamonte Springs Campus, which features 16 state-of-the-art healthcare labs and high-tech patient simulators. For more information, visit the nursing website.