Nevada Nursing Student Association (NVNSA): The Message Behind the Name
By Janai McFarland, LPN
A question was presented during a recent board meeting of the Nevada Nursing Student Association (NVNSA). Why are we called the Nevada Nursing Student Association (NVNSA) when our school chapters refer to themselves as the Student Nurses’ Association (SNA)? The National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) identifies over 100 national and state-level associations composed of nursing students (State Association/School Chapter Links, n.d.). However, only a third of the associations refer to themselves as nursing student associations (NSAs). This question aroused my curiosity as I pinned it on my ever-growing list of research topics. What is the difference between being referred to as a ‘student nurse’ vs. a ‘nursing student’? To answer this question fully requires a deep dive into the history of nursing.
Traditionally, throughout history, the role of nurses has progressed from being assigned women family members who developed their art through self-establishment and reliance on oral history into consecrated groups of church-going women, called deaconesses, who were tasked to staff existing hospitals (Roux & Halstead, 2017). Therefore, Florence Nightingale, the “founder” of nursing, had a strong background in deaconess training. Deaconess training was inspired by the will to serve God through caring for the sick, poor, and orphaned (Doyle, 1929) and led to advancements in the nursing profession (Hall et al., 2023), which Nightingale combined with previously acquired knowledge to pioneer the first formal nursing school by coupling theory classes with clinical experience (Roux & Halstead, 2017). Thereby, Nightingale provided foundational and scaffolding elements to the nursing profession.
However, with womanhood being entwined into the nursing profession, nurses were historically portrayed as subordinates to the male-dominated physician profession. They even developed an image misrepresentation that led to fetishism and perpetuated covert/overt oppression. Harmes et al. (2021) highlighted the multiple oppressive systems linked to nurses as patriarchy, ageism, ableism, and educational hierarchies. Therefore, with the nursing profession well past its sesquicentennial birthday, its identity would benefit from some modernizations of antiquated scaffolding.
Furthermore, with the status of healthcare declining and nurses old and anew leaving the profession in droves, what can we as nursing students do to change this post-pandemic downward spiral and promote professional respect and dignity? While a complete overhaul of name changes within school nursing students’ associations to support and catalyze this idea would be supreme, it is not reasonable due to the enormous marketing and financial roadblocks that could surface. Therefore, my proposal requires each and every one of us, as nursing students in Nevada, to ponder reflective questions that provide consideration for our actions, positive contributions to the field, and areas where we can grow and develop. With this thought in mind, are we building a strong community by being ACTIVELY involved in your school chapter’s nursing student association? For those of us who are graduating, are we willing to cultivate the next cohort by taking advantage of mentorship opportunities? How many of us have heard of students obtaining their nursing licensure and leaving Nevada to pursue opportunities elsewhere?
In the future, incorporating these reflective questions can create conversations that can support and retain the current and future generations of nurses in Nevada. Nurse retention is of utmost concern because Nevada is ranked #48 in the nation, with a rate of 743 registered nurses for every 100,000 people (Nevada State Legislature Research Division, 2019). The carefully curated name chosen for our organization, Nevada Nursing Student Association, sets us apart from other student nursing associations by showcasing our understanding and commitment to respect for the profession. Therefore, cultivating opportunities to build community with nurses within our state may be the key to increasing the quality of healthcare for our patients and retaining healthcare providers from an ever-dwindling supply.
Janai McFarland (NVNSA Southern Regional Director) is a full-time, TRIO, student at Nevada State University in Henderson, NV. Born in Chicago, IL, she moved to Las Vegas during the COVID pandemic to assist the community as a licensed practical nurse. Currently, she is majoring in Pre Nursing/Human Health Science with aspirations to delve into an advanced nursing degree, pursue leadership positions, and serve as a beacon of motivation for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
References
Doyle, A. (1929). Nursing by religious orders in the United States: Part V: Deaconesses, 1855- 1928. American Journal of Nursing, 29(11), 1331. https://doi.org/10.2307/3409908
Hall, E. O., Joensen, A. L., & Dietz, S. M. (2023). Historiographic and biographic accounts of Faroese nurses’ training and health-promoting work from 1910 to the end of the 1930s. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1).
https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2023.2233151
Harmes, M. K., Harmes, B., & Harmes, M. A. (2021). The nurse in popular media: Critical Essays. McFarland.
https://books.google.com/books?id=oC1LEAAAQBAJ&dq=nurse+as+a+fetish&lr=&source=gbs_ navlinks_s
Nevada State Legislature Research Division. (2019). Health Care in Nevada: Statistics and Rankings [Dataset]. Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau.
https://ppc.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/ppcnvgov/content/Meetings/2020/LCB
HealthRankingsFactsheet_2020.pdf
Roux, G., & Halstead, J. A. (2017). Issues and trends in nursing.
https://www.amazon.com/Issues-Trends-Nursing-Practice-Leadership/dp/1284104893
State Association/School Chapter links. (n.d.). NSNA. https://www.nsna.org/state associationschool-chapter-links.html
Meet Our Team
2023-2024 Board of Directors
NVNSA President
Alreeze Crystal Mercado
Hello Nevada nursing students,
I am Alreeze Crystal Mercado (I have two first names), but you can call me Alreeze. I am currently a nursing student attending Arizona College of Nursing, Las Vegas Campus. & I am honored to serve as your 2023-2024 Nevada Nursing Student Association President. A little bit about me, nursing was not my first choice of career—this is actually my career-change journey. I was previously an educator for preschool, then grade school. I was promoted to assistant site supervisor for my own facility in Yolo county in California. But unexpected life experiences led me to leaving my career, applying for nursing school and moving out of state. With that being said, I am truly excited to see you all grow from the different seasons of life which we’ve all came from. My intentions are to continue to serve the Nevada nursing student community, encourage diversity and inclusivity, and provide an empowering environment where YOUR voices are heard, especially as future registered nurses. Therefore, please reach out—you can email me, find me on social media—I am more than happy to serve as a resource and ensure that you all have the opportunities that will support you in succeeding in your nursing journey.
My Role in NVNSA:
My role as President is to serve as the external representative/officer of Nevada Nursing Student Association—as a fellow board member of NVNSA, we plan to “learn together and grow together.” In addition, act as a servant leader to all of the SNA chapters within the state of Nevada. As president, I will continue to support and empower the Nevada nursing student community in any capacity, wherever and however I can, so we can continue to improve our involvement as nursing students and build a vision of self as future nursing leaders within our profession.
My Aspirations:
When I finally decided to choose nursing as a profession, my aspiration was to go into critical care like ED or ICU, but as I further my education and gain more knowledge about the field of nursing, I currently just aspire to be the best that I can be; a better version of my self for those patients I will be caring for. It will lead me continue my path into critical care or it may take a turn into higher education in nursing. I see a need for nursing instructors, and prior to this career change, I was an educator—but my heart is torn because the reason why I aspired to become a critical care nurse was due to losses near and dear to my heart.
My Hobbies:
When I am not studying or at clinical, I am a gym enthusiast. You can always find me working out at the gym, or exploring Las Vegas (since I’m not from the 702) and experiencing new places, activities and foods. I became a Yelp Elite in the Las Vegas community, shortly after I moved so I get to participate in a lot of soft openings, grand openings, support local and new businesses, and community events. Aside from that, I like trying new recipes to cook or bake—I would like to say I am not that bad, 7/10 stars! ⭐️ Mostly, you will find me spending time with my loved ones—like my best friends or family & closest friend visiting from home—and spending quality time with my boyfriend and our two fur-babies.
NVNSA Vice President
Joshua Carreon
Hello, my name is Joshua Carreon and I am a BSN student at Nevada State University, Henderson, NV. I grew up in Los Angeles, CA, and earned a degree in business at the University of San Diego, CA. I was the Director of the West Coast for Private Events with a company for 15 years prior to starting my nursing journey.
My Role in NVNSA:
As Vice President, I am the chairman of the NVNSA annual convention. I assist the president in execution of day-to-day operations of NVNSA. I assume the duties of the president in her absence.
My Aspirations:
I aspire to be a nurse working in the ICU. I am passionate about critical care and the important role a nurse plays in this unit. I am excited to be able to form a deeper connection with patients and use critical thinking skills to help those patients. Once I have gained experience, I would like to continue my academic journey of earning my doctorate to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
My Hobbies:
I enjoy staying active! I go to the gym regularly and like to run for my heart health. I have run eight marathons in many different locations around the globe; San Diego, Philadelphia, and Paris to name a few. I enjoy reading, traveling, and playing with my dog, Seamus.
NVNSA Treasurer
Jon Pena
NVNSA Secretary
Chelsea Lloyd
Hi my name is Chelsea Lloyd and I am currently a BSN student at Unitek College Reno.
My Role in NVNSA:
As secretary, I take note of our meeting minutes, facilitate voting for motions, as well as track memberships for our wonderful board.
My Aspirations:
I am not set on what specialty of nursing I will go into. I have always wanted to be a hospice nurse but lately I have felt pushed toward working with children. I am not closing doors on any specialty quite yet. I just want to bring peace into the lives of people going through difficult times.
My Hobbies:
When I am not studying or at clinical, I am spending as much quality time as possible with my daughters, Peyton and Arizona
NVNSA Northern Regional Director
Jasmine Kwai
I am currently a nursing student at the University of Nevada, Reno working towards a BSN set to graduate in December!
My Role in NVNSA:
As the Northern Regional Director, I represent the northern region within the state of Nevada. I am responsible for keeping nursing students in northern Nevada connected and be a resource person for local chapters.
My Aspirations:
I want to help NVNSA expand and contribute in the nursing student community. I am currently working as a nurse apprentice and I hope to work as a ER/trauma nurse after I graduate!
My Hobbies:
I like to try new foods, enjoy the beautiful Lake Tahoe or float the Truckee river!
NVNSA Southern Regional Director
Janai McFarland
Janai McFarland is a full-time, TRIO McNair, student at Nevada State in Las Vegas, NV. Born in Chicago, IL, she recently moved to Las Vegas during COVID to assist with the healthcare epidemic as a licensed practical nurse.
My Role in NVNSA:
Serve as a resource person to local chapters to provide information on membership recruitment and retention. Promote open lines of communication between each chapter within the region and the officers, and to promote activity between the chapters within each region. Maintain contact with the school chapter presidents within their region.
My Aspirations:
Currently, I am majoring in Pre-Nursing with aspirations to delve into an advanced nursing degree, to pursue positions of leadership and serve as a beacon of motivation for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
My Hobbies:
Participating in community art outreach projects, painting, and being a mom to my thirteen year old son.
NVNSA Communications Director
Alexa Covert
I am Alexa and I am currently a BSN student at the University of Nevada, Reno.
My Role in NVNSA:
As the Communications Director, I am in charge of updating the NVNSA social media and website. I also support the organization in sending further communication to nursing students in the state of Nevada about events and other opportunities.
My Aspirations:
I have not fully decided what nursing specialty I want to pursue after graduation but, I am currently most interested in working in the ER or ICU. I am also passionate about education and would like to work toward teaching at the community college level.
My Hobbies:
I like to go snowboarding in the winter and go hiking, backpacking and camping in the summer. I also enjoy playing games with friends and family.
NVNSA Breakthrough to Nursing and Community Outreach Director
Julia Ramirez
Hello everyone, my name is Julia Ramirez. I am a BSN student at UNLV, and I will be graduating this May! I am excited to be this year's Breakthrough to Nursing/Community Outreach Director and to be apart of this team. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me for any questions or just to talk !
My Role in NVNSA:
I am the Breakthrough to Nursing/Community Outreach Director, and my role for this term is to promote nursing as a career to underrepresented groups in Nevada through outreach and community events in order to help diversify the nursing field as a whole.
My Aspirations:
After graduation, I plan to work within the state of Nevada and become an expert in my field. With the field of nursing being so fast-growing, I am currently not sure which specialty I will take, but I will continue to be a leader in my community and be a voice for patients, as well as for those pursuing nursing as a career. I do in the future plan to progress in my career by going back to school for my Master of Science to then take on an NP position.
My Hobbies:
During my free time, you can find me spending lots of time with family. We love to play board games, watch movies, and enjoy delicious Mexican dinners. I also love to binge-watch my favorite anime, One Piece. Staying active by going to the gym, running, or going on walks with my dog is also a must for me!
NVNSA Executive Director
Janelle Willis
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Janelle has been a nurse for over 20 years working in Emergency, Obstetrics, Peds, and Outpatient Surgery. She has been in nursing education for 15 years. She loves working with students and helping them manage nursing school and achieve their goals. She has been the Executive Director of NVNSA since its inception in 2018.
My Role in NVNSA:
I do my best to get out of the way and let each student leader shine! I work hard to support each student and facilitate whatever they need to accomplish their goals.
My Aspirations:
To obtain my doctorate degree in nursing and help coach new graduate nurses.
My Hobbies:
I love being with my family. I have four children and I love to experience the world through their eyes. I love learning and going to new places through travel, restaurants, and local experiences.