Taking Initiative: Student Leaders in Nursing

From Dean Patrick R. Coonan, Ed.D., R.N., NEA-BC, FACHE, to faculty and staff, the College of Nursing and Public Health has long hammered away at the importance of leadership. So it’s not surprising that the College’s students seek out leadership roles even before graduation.

Currently, two seniors majoring in nursing, who have made improving the field their mission, are now leading their peers on Long Island, in New York and across the country.

Representing Adelphi on a national level, Cassandra Campo was elected community health director of the Nursing Students’ Association of New York State (NSANYS) at the organization’s February 2014 convention in New York City.

At the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) convention in April 2014, Kimberly Korn was elected to the NSNA board of directors, where she will serve as the editor for Imprint, the NSNA’s “professional magazine for student nurses.”

In her position, Campo will host monthly meetings with NSANYS members, facilitate awareness events and coordinate participation in walkathons, free screenings and food drives. Campo also has plans to host a week of service, where members from all over the state carry out similar service projects in their own communities.

“Community health is right up my alley because I love community service,” she said, stressing the importance of being able to give back to the community and work as a nurse. She looks forward to “being a driving force for getting nursing students out there and involved.”

As Imprint editor, Korn will be responsible for assigning and reviewing articles for the next five issues  of the magazine to be published in 2014–2015.

Korn plans to improve communication with school and state editors, encourage community outreach and showcase Adelphi nursing students.

“I think publications like Imprint are an excellent way to expose readers to what a nurse actually does and all of the diverse roles there are in a nursing career,” she said.

“I think it’s a great source of networking for them,” said Assistant Professor Helen Ballestas, Ph.D., of her students’ association leadership roles. “Nursing is not just the classroom learning,” she said. “It’s the professional development [as well].”