Volume 5, Issue 2
Brenau University School of Nursing
h
September 2014
BANS Quarterly News
brenaustudentnurses.wordpress.com
B ANS EXECUT IVE
BO ARD
Kelley Mangimelli
President
Banspres@gmail.com
Kelly Allen
Vice President (Day Program)
Bans.wcvp@gmail.com
Paula Peppers
Vice President (EW Program)
Bans.ewcvp@gmail.com
Charnella Rosas
Treasurer
Bans.treasurer1@gmail.com
April Reid
Secretary
Bans.secretary1@gmail.com
Daneille Phagan
Fundraising Chair
Bans.fundraiser@gmail.com
Katrina Robinson
Community Service Chair
Bans.community@gmail.com
Message from the President
Dear BANS members and fellow nursing students,
On behalf of the Brenau Association of Nursing Students
executive board, I would like to welcome all of you back for
a new school year at Brenau University School of Nursing!
If you are a new nursing student, I would like to welcome
you and encourage you to become involved in this
incredible organization. Your BANS board and many of our
active members were busy this summer working with the
Gainesville Housing Authority promoting healthy lifestyles.
We also assisted Dean Starich with research to get state funding and to keep the children
in our community healthy through the summer months when they are not attending
school. As we begin the new school year, we have tons of new and exciting things going
on! I hope that you will join us as we go above and beyond this year with professionalism
alongside of the Georgia Association of Nursing Students and the National Student
Nursing Association. The opportunities you will receive from being an active member are
endless! I look forward to working with you this semester and can’t wait to see a huge
representation of Brenau School of Nursing at the state convention next month!
Sincerely,
Kelley Mangimelli
2014-2015 BANS President
Welcome Alum Dr. Dina
Hewett as School of
Nursing Director!
Courtney Voss
BTN Director
Bans.btn@gmail.com
Christine Esquivel
Legislative Chair
bans.legislative@gmail.com
Faculty Advisors
Professor Elizabeth Conoley
Professor Cathy Kelley
Dr. Dina Hewett, School of Nursing Director
Dr. Troy Heidesch, Richards
Chair of Graduate Nursing
Also, please congratulate Dr. Troy
Heidesch as Richards Chair of
Graduate Nursing & Jane AndersonBuffington as the new Chair of
Undergraduate Studies
Jane Anderson-Buffington, Chair of Undergraduate Studies
Photos courtesy of: www.brenau.edu
Page 2
BANS Quarterly New s
By: Trina Robinson-Miller, Community Service Chair & Kelly Allen, Day Vice President & Daneille Phagan, Fundraising Chair
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Monday September 15: ICU
Event
o 6-8 pm @East Campus
Sunday September 28: INK
Emergency Preparedness Fair
o 1-4 pm @ East
Campus
Friday October 3: Zumba
o 6-8pm @ East Campus
Thursday October 23-25: GANS
Convention
o @ Wyndham
Peachtree Hotel &
Conference Center
Saturday November 1: Moving
Day Walk
o 9 am @ Centennial
Olympic Park
 Nursing Information Critical for You (ICU): This event is designed for both
current and prospective nursing students interested in pursuing our BSN programs. You
will hear presentations from nursing faculty, the admissions office, student services staff,
and the financial aid office. Important information will consist of Nursing program
deadlines, prerequisites, admissions processes along with information on financial aid.
Come learn the philosophy behind our School of Nursing as well as experience
demonstrations in our state-of-the-art simulation labs. Take a tour of the nursing
department with current nursing students and ask them about nursing school! The next
ICU session will be held on Monday, September 15, 2014 from 6:00-8:30pm on the East
Campus facility. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
 Emergency Preparedness! INK’s 2nd Annual Personal and Family Preparedness
Fair on September 28th, 2014 from 1pm-4pm. Watch this VIDEO to show you what
this event is like!
o Admission: FREE event for the whole family!!
o FREE admission to INK (Interactive Neighborhood for Kids)
o FREE kid’s emergency backpack (while supplies last)
o Learn about the different emergency organizations in our community
o Interactive workshops & demonstrations
o Check out the many different emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire truck,
helicopter & much more!)
o BANS will be teaching about helmet safety
 Zumba! Ditch the workout, let’s have a dance party! Zumba Dance Night is on
October 3rd, 2014 from 6pm-8pm. Zumba will be taught by Blythe Barrett, DPT, a
certified instructor. All proceeds from Zumba Dance Night will benefit BANS and
promote nursing by, promoting health and wellness in our community. Come out and let
loose! For admission tickets & raffle please see or contact any BANS board members.
BANS would also like to thank Kroger for donations to help sponsor this event.
o Cost: $10 admission & $1 per raffle ticket **You do NOT have to be present to
win the raffle**
o FREE refreshments
o Some of the items being raffled off:
 Unicoi Springs Camp Resort (2 night stay)
 2 rooms painted by a professional painter
 Handmade jewelry & crochet items
 Salon Service gift card to American Salon and Spa
 State Convention: October 23-25, 2014- See next page for more information!
 Moving Day®: The National Parkinson Foundation’s annual fundraising
walk/run event: Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Centennial Olympic Park is a fun,
inspiring fundraising event that unites families, friends and communities in the fight
against Parkinson’s disease. BANS is teaming up with GANS to give us, as nursing
students a chance to speak out in our community. This celebration of movement will
feature a family friendly walk course, a kids area, a caregivers relaxation tent and a special
Movement Pavilion featuring yoga, dance, Tai Chi, Pilates, etc. all proven to help manage
the symptoms of PD. For more information about this foundation and event click
HERE! Also, stay tuned for more information about a lunch-n-learn on Parkinson’s
disease at Brenau and more event information in the upcoming months!
Page 3
BANS Quarterly New s
GANS 62nd Annual Convention
will be held October 23, 2014 thru October 25, 2014
The theme this year is “Ignite the Fire”
This year's convention will be held
We would love to have a large Brenau
at:
presence at Convention this year. We have
Wyndham
Peachtree
Hotel and
several Brenau Nursing students running
Conference
Center
for officer positions on the GANS
2443 Highway 54 West
Executive Board at Convention. Come out,
Peachtree
City, GA 30269
show your support and make connections
770-487-2000
with fellow nursing students as well as
possible future employers.
Book now through October 1, 2014 at 5 pm for special GANS rates by calling 770487-2000. Any reservations made after this time will not be able to receive the
special GANS Convention rates:
 Double occupancy: $129/night
 Triple occupancy: $139/night
 Quad occupancy $149/night
Convention Registration RATES include parking and 3 meals a day
 NSNA Member 3 day Registration: 100.00
 Non- Member 3 day Registration: 140.00
 One-day Registration: 50.00

WORKSHOPS/ACTIVITIES:
Resumania, Hurst Review, NCLEX Bowl, banner competition, and a minidance Mini-Dance Marathon to help support the Children’s Miracle
Network. (For a comprehensive list of workshops and activities, visit the
website below)
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, VISIT:
http://www.ganursingstudents.org/convention-2014.html
Hurst Review Services is another NCLEX review company that guarantees your success on the NCLEX. Hurst
Review focuses on more on core content, as well as demonstrates testing strategies. Hurst offers both live and
online reviews.
Hurst's Enhanced Live Review Package ($350) Includes:
• 3 days of live lectures focusing MUST KNOW core content along with 254 page student book provided the first day of the review
• 1 year access to Specialty Area Lectures and Resource Materials including Pharmacology & Infection Control.
• 14 days unlimited online access to all Hurst Review lectures to reinforce any lecture topics you choose (excludes repeat students)
• "Q Review" question bank providing NCLEX®-style practice exams (6 attempts, 125 Questions each)
• "NurseCoach" online tutor and technical support
• 100% Money back guarantee or 45-Day intense remediation program
• Pay once and attend unlimited Live Review events within 1 year of your graduation date or start date of your first Live Review,
whichever is longer
• Payment plan is available* - Reserve your seat with as little as $50 non-refundable deposit.
• As of reviews starting on, or after, September 1, 2014 we will no longer be accepting cash or checks at the review. You must register
with a credit card through our website to attend a review.
• Visa, MC, Discover & American Express accepted
By Katrina Robinson, Community Chair
Page 4
BANS Quarterly New s
Making Your Voices Heard
By: Christine Esquivel, Legislative Chair
“A loud voice
cannot compete
with a clear
voice, even if it’s
a whisper.”
~ Barry Neil
Kauffman
With ongoing spirited debates on current issues in healthcare such as funding, education, and limited
resources; clear-cut solutions to nursing challenges can be hard to distinguish above the confusion. How can
one person make their voice heard above the crowd? Your voice can be heard by joining others who are
willing to form one loud clear voice that stands out in a sea of noise. The individuals making up the
Congressional Nursing Caucus have joined forces to be that one clear voice for nurses.
The 113th Congressional Nursing Caucus is a Congressional Committee formed by nurses, members of the House
of Representatives, and Senators throughout the United States. Together, committee members tackle legislative
issues that affect healthcare and the nursing profession. Currently, the state of Georgia has only two members
of The House of Representatives on the Nursing Caucus. We as students can help those on the front lines
fighting for the welling being of our esteemed profession. Make your voices heard by contacting your local
senators and representatives and urge them to join the committee.
Students can also make their voices heard by joining local, state, and national student associations as well as
becoming part of association committees. Student nursing associations can create resolutions for issues that
involve legislation, increase awareness, call for evidence based research, and form motions to improve or
incorporate various evidence based practices. At convention, local and state student nursing associations submit
their resolutions to be reviewed for possible adoption. Why is it important to create resolutions and have
them adopted? When resolutions are adopted, state and federal legislators are more willing to be an activist
for our causes since adoption means that tens of thousands of student nursing association members support
those resolutions. Remember, there is power in numbers. Go out, get involved, and get active to help make
the voice of nurses a little clearer. Our choices today affect us tomorrow.
To find information on your local elected officials, go to: http://georgia.gov/
To find additional information about current members and how to contact your local members of congress go
to: http://www.rnaction.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nstat_nursing_caucus
Congratulations Christine Esquivel!
By: Courtney Voss, BTN Director
Brenau University now has a second nursing student on the
GANS board. This past August, a position became available;
Christine and a student from another nursing program were
required to present speeches and participate in a short Q & A
session. After deliberation from current GANS board members
Christine was selected to serve as the new assistant to the
executive board by a popular vote. We are proud to have another
one of our nursing students to represent our school and our
local student nursing association chapter. Undoubtedly Christine
will be a valued asset to the GANS board and will represent
Brenau University proudly. Please make sure to congratulate her
on her accomplishment!
Page 5
BANS Quarterly New s
Summer Community Projects
RISE Program
By: Kelly Allen, Vice President
(Day Program)
We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to all of the
nursing students who helped and participated in collaboration
with the OT students and education students. In June, we
gathered the height, weight and vision screenings on over 70
children in grades 1st – 5th. In July we went back (after their 6
week program) to gather the same data. The information is
currently being analyzed. The outcome we are looking to see
are a decrease in weights and BMIs and also to see that the
children with vision problems have since used resources
offered to visit an eye doctor. Thank you all for making an
impact on our great community!
Gardening Club
This summer we had a great opportunity to work
with children and teens through the Gainesville
Housing Authority’s Gardening Club. The goal of
this program was to teach and educate children
and adolescences on nutrition, health promotion,
exercise and healthy life-style choices. This year we
completed several activities and exercised to
improve our physical fitness. We planted vegetables
in the Community Garden at Melrose. We built mini
gardens filled with herbs to take home. They
learned about the differences between fruits and
vegetables and the impact they have on the body.
Lastly, Kelly Allen taught the last class which
included a MyPlate activity and also education on
personal hygiene. As a special gift, she created
personal hygiene kits which included a tooth brush,
toothpaste, floss, comb, hand sanitizer and tissues,
which was distributed to everyone who
participated. Thank you to everyone who helped
during the summer and made a difference in these
children’s lives!
School Supplies
By: April Reid, Secretary
This school year the Brenau Association of Nursing Students
chose the Gainesville Housing Authority to donate school
supplies for needy students. Brenau students collected more
than 12 backpacks full of school supplies along with many
extras for children from Pre-K to 12th grade. BANS chose this
organization for this year’s school supply donation after
working with the Gainesville Housing Authority over the
summer months with the gardening club and the RISE (Real
Interactive Summer Learning Experience) program. The RISE
program was created by Brenau business & education students
and this year it was a perfect situation for the nursing
department to be involved and help improve the lives of
underserved children in the Gainesville area.
Page 6
BANS
wants to
welcome
Courtney
Voss as
the BTN
Director!
BANS Quarterly New s
BANS MDF Instruments Fundraiser
By: Daneille Phagan, Fundraising Chair
Can’t hear S1 and S2? Is your post-operative patient ready for a snack, but you
are not sure if those are gurgles or the movements interfering with your tubing?
Make the switch today to MDF stethoscopes and experience thicker tubing that
reduces interference. BANS has partnered with MDF to offer students the highest
quality instruments available. MDF is an American owned company that has been
crafting instruments such as stethoscopes, sphygmomanometers, reflex hammers,
and more since 1971. With their commitment to innovation, quality in their
products is evident. They offer a lifetime warranty with a FREE-Parts-For-LifeProgram on all stethoscopes. Parts that can be replaced for free include comfort
seal ear tips, retaining rings, diaphragms, non-chill rings and ID tags. You can
also purchase your equipment through www.MDFedu.com/Brenau.html to receive FREE
shipping and a DISCOUNT for students! Please feel free to contact Daneille
Phagan at bans.fundraiser@gmail.com with any questions or to see some of the
equipment.
March of Dimes: Working together for stronger, healthier babies
By: Paula Peppers, EWC Vice President, Information courtesy of www.marchofdimes.org
The March of Dimes’ mission is “to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, infant
mortality, and premature birth”. They also help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems
that threaten the health of babies. BANS is a proud supporter of the March of Dimes.
A big thank you to everyone who participated, attended and donated to the March of Dimes 2014
“Walk for Babies” campaign in Hall County on April 19th. Through t-shirt sales and monetary donations, we
were able to raise $400. BANS also brought home the March of Dimes 1st Place T-Shirt Contest. The front of
the shirts read “go the extra mile so they can” and the back stated “Brenau Nursing walks for babies”.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month. In addition, November 17th marks World Prematurity
Day, and the March of Dimes, their partner organizations worldwide along with BANS are asking everyone to
help spread the word on the serious problem of premature birth. The month of November offers us all a great
opportunity to provide educational and fundraising activities for our communities about March of Dimes and
prematurity. If you would like more information on the March of Dimes please visit their website at:
www.marchofdimes.org
Page 7
BANS Quarterly New s
10 Brenau Nursing School Survival Tips!!!
By: April Reid, Secretary
1. Always ask questions.
 Ask during class, schedule a meeting with your faculty or get clarity from a study buddy!
 The only wrong question is the one not asked.
2. Read over notes daily.
 You may have work, kids, assignments and a myriad of other commitments. Take at least 15-20 minutes every day
to read over a portion of your notes to keep it fresh in your mind.
3. Find out how you learn best (your learning style).
 If you do not know how you learn best, find out. A quick Google search will help you discover your learning style and
which techniques work best for you.
4. Keep up on your reading and do not get behind.
 You want to be able to knowledgably discuss the topics covered for the class.
5. Do not wait until the night before an exam to study.
 Break down the material for the exam and create a study schedule. The schedule can be a list of topics or assign
certain topics for specific days. Find out which works best for you.
6. Take regular study breaks.
 Take regular breaks and move around (typically for every 45 minutes of study, you should take a 15 minute break).
Get up and get the blood flowing!
7. Take advantage of University resources.
 Utilize the Math and Science SPA, Writing center (including online paper reviews), center for health and wellbeing,
and career services. Information on all of these services is available on the Brenau intranet.
8. If you are going to miss a class make arrangements to obtain notes or recording of the material
covered.
 It is much easier to make alternate arrangements before the class (to send your recorder with a classmate) rather
than trying to scramble the next week to get someone’s notes.
9. Find study buddies or someone you can work with to discuss difficult topics.
 There will be a time in every student’s college career when you will struggle with a difficult topic. Discussing this
with another student can help you better understand the material.
10. Take a deep breath and look around.
 You have made it into nursing school! That is an accomplishment to be proud of! It won’t be easy, but nothing
worth having is easy. Graduation will be here before you know it!