Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jonathan Buttrick
(718) 210-0705 x104
Email: jonathan@nsna.org
Advertising and Exhibitor
Information: Anthony J. Jannetti
(856) 256-2300
E-mail: nsna@ajj.com
HEALTHY Campaign: Healing, Enlightening, And Loving The Healthy You
The NSNA 61st Annual Convention
April 3– 7, 2013 | Charlotte, NC
Brooklyn, NY – March 13, 2013. Over 3,500 students, faculty, speakers and exhibitors are anticipated
for the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) 61st Annual Convention at the Charlotte
Convention Center, Charlotte, NC, April 3-7, 2013.
Opening & Closing Nights
Keynote Speaker Courtney Lyder, ND, ScD(Hon), FAAN, kicks off the event on Wednesday, April 3,
during the traditional Opening Ceremony. Dr. Lyder will share thoughts on the HEALTHY Campaign:
Healing, Enlightening, And Loving The Healthy You!” Dr. Lyder is Dean of the UCLA School of
Nursing, Professor of Nursing, Medicine and Public Health; Executive Director, UCLA Patient Safety
Institute; and Assistant Director of the UCLA Health System. He is the first African American to serve as
a dean at UCLA and is the first minority man to be appointed as a nursing dean in the United States.
The week closes out with the Closing Ceremony as speaker Michael Bleich, PhD, RN, NEA – BC,
FAAN, Dean at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Bleich
presents, “Shining Bright - Your Role as the Stars for Nursing’s Future,” a reflection on the vitality and
opportunities brought to the discipline in light of the Institute of Medicine report, the Future of Nursing:
Leading Change, Advancing Health. Also during the Closing Ceremony will be the presentations of
NSNA Program Activity Awards and the introduction of the 2013-2014 NSNA Board of Directors and
Nominating and Elections Committee.
NCLEX-RN® Mini Review
NSNA encourages students to use Convention as an opportunity to prepare for the most important test
they will every pass. Sponsored by Delmar, Cengage Learning, this 8-hour course (spread across three
days) includes selected topics frequently questioned on the NCLEX-RN exam and is presented by highly
skilled teacher, Judith C. Miller. The schedule allows all Convention attendees, including delegates, to
take the entire Mini Review. NSNA members may add the Mini Review for only $20 if they pre-register
for the Convention.
Plenary & Focus Sessions (April 4-5)
The Thursday, Plenary Session, “Nurse Athlete - A Program for Achieving Optimal Health and Wellness”
will discuss the Health Athlete/Nurse Athletic program, the first program under the college’s Health
Athlete initiative to promote healthy practices and energy management in nurses, physicians, managers,
and healthcare professionals. Speaker: Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP/PMHNP, FNAP,
FAAN, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH
The Friday Plenary Session, “Leadership is Not Case Sensitive,” will explore how and why experienced
nurses, new graduate nurses, and student nurses must serve a leadership role at some point in their career.
What does this mean and how do we get there? Hear the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing report
discussed from a different angle and discover strategies for strengthening your leadership capacity.
Speaker: Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN, Clinical Professor University of Minnesota School of Nursing,
Minneapolis, MN
Focus Sessions
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, over 25 one-hour focus sessions cover a broad range of topics related
to personal and professional growth. Topics include: pharmacology, distance education, oncology
nursing, wound care, leadership, career progression, test taking, humor and health, emergency nursing,
nurse midwifery, electronic medical records and more.
American Red Cross Disaster Certification
On Wednesday, April 3, the American Red Cross offers a course designed to prepare pre-licensed nursing
students to volunteer during disasters. Attendees receive course certificates and the ARC Student Nurse
Pin, but more importantly, gain the knowledge and skills to volunteer in their communities. A morning
and afternoon session is available. Enrollment is limited to 125 attendees per session. Pre-registered
Convention attendees are emailed information to register for the Red Cross course in advance.
Exhibit Hall and Career Development Center
This is an opportunity for attendees to speak with recruiters, learn about the newest books and products,
and network. NSNA provides a Career Development Center, with leadership by Lois Marshall, during
exhibit hours to help plan a solid nursing career. Attendees are asked to prepare by making a list of
interests, needs, priorities and goals. Career counselors will also look over resumes and discuss the basic
steps for career success.
Faculty Sessions
Several excellent sessions are planned for faculty attending the Convention. Sessions include: the
Consultant and Advisors Leadership University Certificate Program (pre-registration required, includes
contact hours); ACES: Advancing Care excellence for Seniors (special registration required; includes
contact hours); Transform the Classroom: An Interactive Approach to Teaching Pharmacology; Bringing
Educational Strategies Into the Nursing Classroom: Backward Course Design; Consultant/Advisor
Orientation to the Convention; Considerations for Creating a Quality Online Class; Consultants and
Advisors Briefing; NCSBN’s Update with Progress Report on Transition into Practice; and No Stone
Unturned – Grant Writing Tips. Faculty interested in volunteering in the Career Development Center
may sign up in the Faculty Lounge to review resumes and coach students about planning their career.
Awards
The traditional General Scholarship and Promise of Nursing Scholarship recipients will be recognized
during the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, April 3, and the Marilyn Bagwell Grant recipient and
Honorary Member are recognized at this time. The Leader of Leaders award winner and Project InTouch
grand prize winner are honored during the Thursday, April 4 plenary session, and the Isabel Hampton
Robb Award winner and Essay Contest are presented during the Friday, April 5 plenary session. The top
awards in each NSNA program will be awarded during the Closing Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, 2013.
Project Showcase and Poster Sessions
NSNA members are invited to share school and state chapter projects (i.e., Breakthrough to Nursing,
Image of Nursing, Empowering Resolutions, Legislation/Education, Financial Excellence, Disaster
Preparedness); community and international health activities, and research they have conducted at
NSNA's Project Showcase. Posters will be displayed in the Charlotte Convention Center. The purpose of
Project Showcase is to foster the sharing of information, research dissemination, and education.
Student Activity Tables
School and state constituents may sell fundraising items at the Annual Convention. Tables are available
on a first-come, first serve basis. The half-table fee of $30 can be made in the NSNA Convention Office.
Other Highlights

On the night of Wednesday, April 3, attendees can relax, dance, meet new friends, win prizes and
enjoy music at one of Convention’s most enjoyable evenings, the First Night Party. This year’s theme
is “ZUMBA for Fitness and Fun®!” Come ready for action and great music with ZUMBA® the
Columbian dance fitness program that incorporates dance and aerobics. Learn the basic elements of
ZUMBA® to get started. Light refreshments, DJ for dancing, and photo opportunities set the stage for
a great evening of networking and fun

The House of Delegates convenes to vote on resolutions and elect the 2013-14 Board of Directors and
Nominating and Elections Committee.

Council of State Presidents – State presidents, presidents-elect, state consultants, and staff, will join
the NSNA Board of Directors for collaborating and networking.

The Foundation of the NSNA Queen City Auction will be one of Convention’s most popular events.
Money raised during the event supports the Mary Ann Tuft Scholarship Fund. Held on Friday, April
5, 2013, the auction features interesting and unique items from across the country donated by
individuals, chapters, sponsors, and other contributors.
The Convention Sponsors make the week’s events possible through their generous support:
American Nurses Association
American Organization of Nurse Executives
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Delmar, Cengage Learning
The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s
Future
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National League for Nursing
Nurses Service Organization
UCLA Health System
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
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