SNAP-Villanova Again Wins State SNAP’s Highest Award
Villanova Nurses excel across state convention
At the 70th Annual Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) State Convention, the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing’s chapter “SNAP-Villanova” again won the Chapter Excellence Award, indicating it as the top chapter in the state. The contingent of 28 Villanova nursing students included a veteran student and the group, ranging from first year to senior students, as well as those from the second degree accelerated BSN tracks, was led by Chapter President Natalia Matar, a senior. Associate Professor Carol Toussie Weingarten, PhD, RN, ANEF, is the chapter advisor. The meeting was held November 16-18 at the Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center, Poconos, Pa.
In congratulating the chapter, Donna S. Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor, noted, “This award pays tribute to your work and aspirations. Thank you all for your tenacity and always striving for the very best for nursing and health care.”
Additional Villanova Nurses were present at the convention. Alumnae and former chapter and SNAP state leaders Madeline Stadler, Meghan Scanlon, and Bridgette (Brawner) Rice, PhD, MDiv, RN, APRN, FAAN, who also was on the NSNA Board, attended. Dr. Rice is FCN’s Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professor in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations. Cindy Rich Schmus, MSN, CRNP, celebrated 10 years as consultant to the state SNAP.
Dr. Rice was the keynote speaker and presented Envisioning the Future with Lessons Learned from the Past, on November 17.
Other SNAP-Villanova successes included the following:
· India Miller, a junior, was re-elected to the State Board as the Greater Philadelphia Regional Coordinator. According to Dr. Weingarten, Villanovans have served every year since at least 1985.
· Villanova’s resolution, Stop the Stigma: Mental Health in Collegiate Athletes, co-authored and presented by BSN Flex students Audrey Guarino and Catherine Sielaff, was passed by the House of Delegates and now becomes policy of the state SNAP. Of note, The resolution was inspired in part by the podcast created by Claire Barrett, Emma Lovejoy, and Keely Reardon, Class of 2022, during their Spring 2022 Health Promotion clinical rotation at Villanova’s radio station, WXVU.
· Natalia Matar received Special Recognition for her poster presentation regarding Professional Identity Development in Nursing through the Student Nurses' Association. This independent study with Dr. Weingarten examines ways the Professional Development pillars and activities of the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP-Villanova Chapter) exemplify the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing's Framework of Professional Formation and the International Society for Professional Identity Development in Nursing’s (ISPIN) Domains fostering the process of feeling, acting, and thinking like a nurse.
· BSN Flex student Lizzie Turbett won the Kahoots quiz on Vital Signs at the start of the packed Reception and Awards Ceremony. Lizzie is taking Introduction to Nursing Practice.