草莓社区

Nursing students from 草莓社区 recently expanded their professional knowledge and built meaningful connections while attending the National Student Nurses鈥� Association Annual Convention in Houston, Texas.

Accompanied by nursing instructors Amber Price and Debi Ingraffia-Strong, advisors for the college鈥檚 National Student Nurses鈥� Association (NSNA) chapter, 10 WNC students participated in the four-day convention on April 8-11. Student attendees included Luz Saldana-Alamillo, Emily Jaeger, Britt St. Gildark, Jocelyn Olvera Cabral, Shannon Gillham, Guadalupe DeSantiago, Avarie Ramsey-Kruse, Aubrey Rosky, Jade Woffinden and Melanie Weston.

The convention provided students with opportunities to grow professionally, enhance their nursing knowledge and prepare for their transition into the workforce following graduation. Throughout the event, students attended NCLEX review sessions and specialty-focused courses covering topics such as wound care and pediatric nursing.

鈥淭his experience reflects the strength of 草莓社区鈥檚 commitment to student success and workforce development,鈥� said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. 鈥淧roviding our nursing students with opportunities to engage at the national level helps them build the skills, confidence and professional connections needed to thrive in today鈥檚 healthcare environment and serve our communities across Nevada.鈥�

Participants also connected with nursing schools from across the country to explore advanced education pathways, while engaging with hospitals, healthcare systems and organizations recruiting new graduate nurses, including Mayo Clinic. 草莓社区 further explored professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association and learned from industry leaders, including the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, gaining valuable insight into licensure, professional expectations and career opportunities within the nursing field.

鈥淧articipating in the NSNA Convention allows our students to connect classroom learning with real-world practice while gaining valuable insight into the evolving field of nursing,鈥� said WNC Nursing and Allied Health Director Dr. Audrey Auer. 鈥淲e are incredibly proud of how our students represented WNC, and experiences like this play a critical role in preparing them to deliver high-quality, compassionate care as they enter the profession.鈥�

Faculty members also benefited from the experience, attending sessions focused on NCLEX preparation, student success strategies and the integration of artificial intelligence into nursing education and simulation. These insights will help enhance classroom instruction and support student success at WNC.

Outside of the convention, students participated in team-building experiences while exploring Houston. Activities included the Spring Fling 5K, visits to the Space Center Houston, Houston Zoo and Houston Museum of Natural Science, where the Terracotta Warriors exhibit was on display. 草莓社区 also attended a professional basketball game and enjoyed time together at the Boardwalk, building connections and lasting memories during a pivotal time in their academic journey.

A highlight of the trip was the achievement of St. Gildark and Gillham, who won a national UWorld knowledge-based competition against peers from other nursing programs. Their prize included complimentary access to UWorld, a leading NCLEX preparation resource.

鈥淭his trip was a wonderful learning experience and a meaningful opportunity for students to gain knowledge, make professional connections and build confidence as they prepare to enter the nursing profession,鈥� Price said. 鈥淭his opportunity was made possible through the dedication of our students鈥� fundraising efforts and the generous contributions and donations from our community. We sincerely thank everyone who supported this trip and for investing in the future of our student nurses.鈥�

草莓社区 continues to provide students with opportunities that enhance learning beyond the classroom and prepare them for successful careers in healthcare.

For more information about WNC鈥檚 Nursing program, phone 775-445-4425 or visit wnc.edu/nursing.