In 2009, Longwood added the competitive Nursing Program to its list of degrees with around 30 students. Since then, the program has now grown to well over 100 students and continues to expand by doing community outreach events, launching new programs and enhancing their student connections through the Student Nursing Association (SNA).
The SNA has grown from 10 members, to 105 members in fall 2014, and Longwood University believes that the Nursing Program took a huge step this semester by adding an MBA to the BSN program to give students who have a two year degree the chance to achieve their Bachelor’s degree.
Recently, nursing students are becoming more involved on-campus and off, specifically through the SNA. The organization requires its members to be involved in the community through outreach events such as blood pressure screenings, blood drives, visiting hospitals, volunteering at the YMCA and are also hoping to add a philanthropy to their list.
The organization is looking to co-sponsor more events with other organizations in order to get more involved on and off campus. The SNA also acts as an outlet for nursing students to come together, take part in service and share experiences.
According to the SNA President Haley Center, Longwood’s Nursing Program remains one of the most unique in the state. It is the only nursing program to admit freshman, and students apply for admission straight to the nursing school their senior year of high school. She also says that although it is growing, it remains on the smaller side, which gives students more opportunities to get involved and know their professors. The program also offers the ability for students to transfer in, adding to the programs growth.
With the ability to be admitted to the nursing program as an incoming freshman, the SNA allows members to join as freshman as well. Each member must meet a standard of criteria to remain a member, like maintaining good academic standing and participating in activities.
Haley Olivo, the vice president of the SNA, says that the Nursing Program is difficult, but the clinicals give the students unique, hands-on experience that they could not get anywhere else.
Historian of the SNA, Alexandria Saliceti, said, “A lot more hands on, and it gives you that real world experience. Not only are you learning about what you will be doing in the classroom, but then you are actually going out and doing it.”
One thing that the SNA is working on is bringing the National Nursing Honor Society, Sigma Theta Tau, to Longwood. Although some members like Center and Olivo are already members, the process to officially bring it to Longwood will take another year. Members of the SNA executive board said that they are proud to have started this process, and to be bringing this honor society to campus.
Center said, “Since it is new, it’s growing, and I think that is really neat. I think that is really cool for me, because I think we can kind of impact it and its students.”
The SNA’s next event will be held on Brock Commons, where they will be handing out flyers about Heart Health Awareness.
