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Students Represent TLU at National Student Nurse Association Convention

Students Nancy Shao (President-Elect), Katelyn Carvalho (DEMSN Student Representative), Neola Shao (SNA Member), and faculty advisor Dr. Danna-Salinas Harrison recently attended the National Student Nurse Association (SNA) Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The group represented the TLU SNA and Department of Nursing. In addition to spending 8.5 hours in an NCLEX Review for more than three days, they attended multiple education sessions and obtained two certificates from the American Red Cross.

Nursing major Nancy Shao (President-Elect), Kristine Tuttle (NurseInTheMaking), Nursing major Katelyn Carvalho (New Braunfels Campus Representative), and Nursing major Neolla Shao (Vice-President Elect)


Shao and Carvalho were official credential delegates and conference volunteers representing the TLU SNA chapter in the House of Delegates where they participated in several plenary sessions, including “Nurses as Health Care Changemakers: Stories of Care Transformation." This session focused on the biggest challenges faced in health care today. The second session, “Focusing on Health Policy,” emphasized that while there is division in our nation, nurses are often the most trusted individuals because they are there all the time for people, through both good and bad. This first-hand experience gives nurses insight into what certain policies will do to patients and families.

As a student in NSNA, learning how to advocate for yourself can start at these types of conferences. Nursing majors who attend learn interaction skills, connect with mentors, and how to get involved with the policy processes. Attendees are also encouraged to discuss agenda-setting, problems, and possible solutions for nurses based on real-world examples of policies in health care that create disparities in access and patient safety.

The Nursing Department is beyond proud of these engaged, caring, and up-and-coming leaders as they are the future of the industry.

Pictured Above: Nancy Shao (President-Elect), Cathy (Level Up RN), Neolla Shao (Vice-President Elect), Katelyn Carvalho (New Braunfels Representative).