ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯ Chapter, Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)
The ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯ chapter of SNAP promotes the professional development and personal growth of ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯'s nursing students. Its purpose coincides with those of the National Student Nurses' Association and SNAP. ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯'s chapter is widely known as one of the most active in the United States.
ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯'s chapter activities include: twice-monthly meetings which often feature a guest speaker as well as discussion of pertinent business, community service projects, sponsoring student delegations to state and national student nurses' conventions and opportunities for leadership development, networking and friendship. Recent community service projects have included: Annual Campus Health Fair, assisting the American Cancer Society, projects at the Ronald McDonald House, projects with children at a Philadelphia school and projects at ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯'s Special Olympics events. Local chapter offices are filled by members from every class. Presently, several nursing students are serving as officers on the state level and one ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯ student serves on a major committee at the national level.
What is the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA)?
The is the largest independent student organization in the country and the only one for nursing students. Its purpose is to provide a vital and growing association interested in the needs of the student nurse. The following are benefits one receives as a member of NSNA: the official association publication (written by nursing students); eligibility for financial aid, malpractice insurance, reduced rates and discounts; Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, writing contest, Project In-Touch, NSNA convention and an opportunity for involvement. The voting body of the NSNA is the House of Delegates composed of nursing students representing school and state chapters.
What is the Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)?
The is a state constituent of NSNA. Its purpose coincides with those of legislative bodies, other state organizations, and NSNA. Dues paid for membership in NSNA automatically brings membership in the state student nurses' association. Membership benefits include the annual state SNAP convention and special programs, state publications, scholarship, leadership and networking opportunities. At the state conventions, the SNAP House of Delegates is composed of nursing students representing chapters throughout Pennsylvania. The state Executive Board is elected from state-school-chapter representatives. Incoming freshmen are sent applications during the summer before coming to ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯. Other students may receive these forms at the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing or scheduled chapter meetings.
Awards for SNAP-ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯
Our SNAP-ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯ is recognized on campus, across the state and the country for its impact. NSNA deemed the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing a "Stellar School," we are the current holder of the state SNAP's award for "Most Outstanding Chapter (large chapter) in Pennsylvania, and the recipient of ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯ University's 2011 award for "Most Nationally Recognized" student organization.
My View
"SNAP has helped to make my experience at ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯ unforgettable. I have had endless service opportunities through SNAP, from volunteering at Ronald McDonald House, to setting up a booth at Olympic Town for ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯'s Special Olympics, to teaching inner city elementary school students about safety. SNAP has also provided me with the opportunity to travel to two national student nursing conferences. That experience has furthered my understanding of the nurse's role within the political realm, the importance of patient advocacy, and the opportunity for networking.β
Lindsey Waters, Ephrata, PA, former SNAP-ΈΜιΩΦ±²₯ president