Student Nurses Association Supports Community

From serving Thanksgiving dinner at the Rickman House, to raising funds for Strides Against Breast Cancer to adopting Kalamazoo Gospel Mission families for the holidays, Kalamazoo Valley Student Nurse Association (SNA) members are gaining leadership skills and are cultivating a holistic approach to patient care that complements classroom and lab assignments.

The group’s most recent project involved collecting health-related donations for the Lawton Elementary School fifth grade students and classrooms.

“Our organization takes pride in being active in the community and strives to make a positive impact on those around us,” said Ashley Cammire, president of the SNA.

Kalamazoo Valley nursing students are a part of a national movement that is dedicated to fostering the professional development of nurses. The National Student Nurse Association’s mission is to mentor students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, and to convey the standards, ethics, and skills that students will need as responsible and accountable leaders and members of the profession.

“Service projects help students take care of the community,” said Director of Nursing Patricia Henning.

Kalamazoo Valley nursing faculty members Victoria Hileski and Theresa Shane serve as sponsors and credit the success of the local association to strong student leaders.

“When our students are out in the community, they demonstrate their care for the community,” Hileski said.