Winter 2008 Wisconsin Student Nurses' Association Newsletter; Standing Together Assuring Tomorrow (STAT)

1. WSNA 2009 ANNUAL CONVENTION
Friday, February 13, 2009 – Sunday, February 15, 2009
Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells
Hotel reservations must be made by January 13, 2009
(In order to receive the WSNA discounted price for rooms)
Dear Nursing Student,
Hi fellow nursing students! My name is Barb Schumacher and I am the Executive Vice President of the
Wisconsin Student Nurses Association. As you read this issue of the STAT, your semester is more than half
over – where has the time gone? I hope you have had many great experiences as well as success stories!
It’s time to start thinking and planning for the 60th Annual WSNA Convention to be held February 13th –
15th, 2009 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. In addition to their
phenomenal indoor water park, the Kalahari Resort has expanded to include an indoor theme park this
year! Come check it out, and join WSNA for a weekend of learning, networking, and FUN at the Kalahari!
As a Board, we are working hard to organize an exciting and fun event for you again in 2009.
Friday night will begin a little different this year. Incorporated into the traditional Nursing Olympics, we
will begin with an exciting challenge of Quiz Bowl. So…gather a group of four of your peers and be ready
to show your knowledge and skills! On Saturday morning, we are planning to showcase over 50 exhibitors
from various hospitals, clinics, nursing schools, and other healthcare organizations for you to mingle with
and have your questions answered.
There are two major changes this year. Speakers sessions will now be an hour long and convention will
end at 10:15am on Sunday. Saturday and Sunday will continue with breakout sessions featuring speakers
on someone of your most requested subjects. We will also be starting our Board of Directors voting
process earlier this year so that voting can be completed before the breakout sessions are started...you
won’t have to miss anything! Remember to continue to keep checking out the WSNA website for updated
information on speakers.
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email with any questions that you may have about convention.
Further information, updates, and ONLINE registration for the 2009 convention can be found at the WSNA
website, www.wsna.net.
Reminder that AFTER January 1, 2009, registration can ONLY be done ONLINE. Also our room block with
the Kalahari Resort will close by January 13, 2009– or earlier depending on
availability! Book your rooms early so that you can receive the discount.
Good luck during the remainder of this semester and the beginning of the
next! I hope to see you at the convention!
Sincerely,
Barb Schumacher, SN
WSNA Executive Vice President
shoey72@verizon.net
(262) 275-2962
Inside this issue:
Special points of interest:
Letter from the President Page 2
 Register for our Annual Convention,
Information on our Community Project Page 3 February 13-15, 2009 by mailing in the
registration form included in this mailing
Positions up for Election Page 4 or by going online at www.wsna.net.
Contact the Board of Directors Page 5
 See a description of the positions up for
WSNA Annual Convention Information Pages 6-11 election on page 2.
STAT Editor’s notes Pages 12  Learning To Be Professional. Testing
One, Two, Three…

2. Convention Lingo: Your Convention Vocabulary Made Easy!
Delegate: (noun) A person appointed or elected to represent others, often given the privilege of casting votes in an official election for an
organization. As in a WSNA delegate- who represents all the members of his or her respective school chapter of WSNA. Each school chapter is
allotted a certain number of WSNA voting delegates, depending upon how many total members they have. For example, a very large school with
many WSNA members may have 5 delegates, and a very small school may only have 1 delegate. Members can sign-up to be WSNA delegates for
their schools at the registration table at Convention.
House of Delegates: (noun) An official business meeting of an organization, during which the delegates (see above definition) meet to
discuss and vote on issues, as well as to nominate candidates for positions on the Board of Directors. The WSNA House of Delegates meeting at
Annual Convention will be held Saturday afternoon. ALL WSNA members are invited & encouraged to attend, however only delegates are able
to make motions and have voting privileges.
Resolution: (noun) A written statement expressed in formal wording that, when adopted by the House of Delegates of an organization,
becomes the basis for the policies and actions of that organization. Resolutions begin with a “whereas” statement, which identifies the need for
the resolution, and also include “resolved statements”, which contain the statement of commitment that an organization is going to take on the
issue . Any WSNA member can write and submit a resolution for approval by the House of Delegates.
Get Involved! Run for a position
on the WSNA Board of Directors!
At the upcoming convention at the Kalahari Resort in February,
WSNA will be holding elections for many of the positions on the
WSNA Board of directors. Think about which position might inter-
est you, and plan ahead for your campaign! Below is a list of the
positions up for election and a brief description of each position.
□ Legislative Vice-President- revises bylaw and policies and resolutions.
□ Secretary- Maintains and records official documentation.
□ Nominations Director- Maintains membership and conducts elections.
□ Treasurer- Manages the organization’s finances.
□ Regional Directors- Act as liaisons between the constituent schools in
their region and the WSNA. 4 Regional Directors are needed for Northern,
Southern, Eastern, and Western Regions.
□ Breakthrough To Nursing Director- Organizes projects to further
increase the awareness about the nursing career to prospective students.
□ Projects Director- Organizes community projects to build on the image
of nursing
□ Website Administrator- Maintains and updates the WSNA website.
We hope you consider running for a position on
the WSNA Board of Directors!
Need more information? Have Questions?
Contact a current board member!
(See contact information on page 11)
Page 2 W S N A S T U D E NT S T A T

3. WSNA Board of Directors Q & A:
• What are the benefits of being on the WSNA board?
-Serving on the WSNA Board of Directors helps prepare any nursing student for the professionalism
and leadership that are required in the “real world” of professional nursing. Board members enhance
their leadership skills while learning about the meeting process, networking with other student
leaders, and promoting the profession of nursing. Through networking with other nursing students,
WSNA Board members learn invaluable teamwork skills, and also form personal and professional
relationships that last far beyond their one year commitment to the Board of Directors.
 Do I need experience as a leader at the school level? What if I’m only a pre-nursing student?
-Although leadership experience at the chapter level is helpful, it is not required. In order to run for office, you must be a current
WSNA member, and you must be a student enrolled in a state-approved program leading to licensure as a registered nurse, or a
RN enrolled in a program leading to an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Pre-Nursing students? What a great way to jump into nursing school! Pre-nursing students are defined as those students who are
enrolled in programs designed as preparation for entrance into a nursing program. Pre-nursing students may run for any position
except that of President. There is no better time to get started as a leader for WSNA than RIGHT NOW!!!!
• What kind of time commitment is involved?
-The WSNA Board meets on a bi-monthly basis, usually on Saturdays for 2-3 hours. Meetings are
traditionally held in Madison, and board members are reimbursed for mileage to the meetings.
Members must also commit to attending both the WSNA Mid-year Convention held in October,
as well as the Annual WSNA Convention held each February. Additional responsibilities for each
board member vary according to the position held. For example, the Executive VP is in charge of
planning the Annual Convention– but all board members are responsible for helping him or her.
The STAT-editor is responsible for producing the newsletter you are currently reading– but all
members are encouraged to help write articles.
WSNA Board Members need to be very organized individuals and must be capable of balancing
school work and family life along with their WSNA responsibilities. WSNA members must be flexible, and willing to arrange their
schedule in order to make it to important WSNA events. Wondering if you’ll have enough time? Want specific information on a
particular position? How about a first-hand account of what it’s like to be on the BOD? For all this information (and more!), please
contact any or all of the current board members. We would LOVE to hear from you! (Email addresses & contact info found on
pg. 11)
• How can I find out if being on the WSNA board is right for me?
-If you’d like to meet the current board of directors and are interested in attending our next
Board of Directors Meeting on Saturday, January 10th, 2009– please contact Lizzy Pieper, WSNA
Elected Consultant at ejpieper@marianuniversity.edu. The January 10th meeting will start at 10
am at the Monona Library. All WSNA members are invited to attend BOD meetings, regardless of
your interest in a WSNA BOD position.
• When are the WSNA board elections?
- WSNA elections will be held during Annual Convention, February 13-15, 2009. WSNA members can be nominated during the
House of Delegates meeting on Saturday, February 14th, and the elections will be held Sunday morning, February 15th. Winners
will be announced at the Sunday morning brunch with a Board of Directors Induction Ceremony to follow. We really hope that you
will consider running for a position on the Board, it is a wonderful and fulfilling experience. Pick a position and then contact the
current board member to find out more! Make posters & bring your campaign materials to convention! Show WSNA what you
have to offer! See you at the Kalahari!
Page 3 W S N A S T U D E NT S T A T

4. A Message from our WSNA President….
Hello WSNA members!
The fall semester is almost over and winter break is just around the corner.
A few weeks ago we had the 99th WNA/WSNA Midyear convention in Eau Claire. There were many great opportunities to meet new
people and exhibitors, listen to a variety of speakers, and learn what WNA/WSNA is all about.
With Winter Break sneaking up on us and finals just around the corner the WSNA Board of Directors is working hard planning the
60th Annual WSNA convention. The dates are set so mark your calendars for February 13-15, 2009 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin
Dells. We are working hard to make this a great convention and your input is being used. Make sure that you watch for deadlines, so
that you don’t miss out on the discounts that you can receive by signing up early. You can check out new information on the WSNA
website www.wsna.net, so you can see what is happening with convention or if you have any questions you can find all board mem-
bers contact information posted under contacts.
Just another reminder to starting filling out award forms so that your school chapter can take home a few awards. Awards that will be
given out at convention are SPIRIT AWARD, Chapter Achievement, Most Community Projects, Best Community Project, Leaders of
Leaders Awards, and Breakthrough to Nursing Award. These forms can be found on the WSNA website under forms. So print them
out and show your school support.
Something new at convention this year is we are bringing back the Council of Chapter Presidents. I am planning an hour meeting with
all the chapter presidents that will be attending the convention. At this meeting we will be discussing what is working and not work-
ing for chapters and how we can help each other problem solve difficulties that are occurring in the chapters. We would like as many
chapter presidents at the meeting so that we can get feedback and help other chapters. If you have any questions please feel free to
contact me at vicki.hutterer@bcon.edu. I am hoping to meet many of you at convention, so please don’t hesitate to contact me with
any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas that you may have. We are here as a Board to help you, the members of WSNA, be a
part of a great opportunity to be student nurses.
Good Luck to all Seniors that will be graduating in December. May you have many great opportunities and experiences with your
future endeavors. I wish you the best of luck taking boards and new employment opportunities.
Vicki Hutterer, WSNA President
vicki.hutterer@bcon.edu
UW-Parkside Hopes to Cure Juvenile Diabetes in a SNAP! Article Submitted
On May 3, 2008 the Student Nurse Organization from the University of
Wisconsin Milwaukee-Parkside Campus held a formal gala to end a year of
fundraising efforts to help find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. Throughout the
2007-08 school year students raised money through activities like penny
wars and bake sales.
The night of the gala brought over 150 guests together for a wonderful meal,
dancing, auction and also two very special guest speakers. Joan Totka,
RN,MS who is a clinical education manager for diabetes at Children's Hospi-
tal of Wisconsin gave an overview of diabetes and current research being
done. The other guest speaker was John McDonough the former chairman of
the International Board of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. John also
has been a diabetic for almost 66 years and he shared his personal story of
struggle and triumphant.
After this event the student nurses were proud to present the Southeastern From left to right: Cari Shuart, Keri Olson, Wendy Hanisch (executive
Wisconsin Chapter of JDRF with a check for $12,000. director of the JDRF chapter), Casey Weis, Katie Rommelfanger
VOLUME 55, ISSUE 3 Page 4

5. Nursing Scholarship Opportunities!
The Student Nurses' Foundation of Wisconsin is offering several scholarships of up to $500
each. The scholarships are offered to all WSNA members, except WSNA board members and
Foundation Directors. It is available to students that will be undergraduate students during
the next academic year. Selection will be based on professionalism, academic achievement,
financial need, and recommendations. Applications are due by Saturday, February 14, 2009
and may be turned in at the 2009 WSNA Annual Convention or sent in by mail.
For more information or to Apply, Log on to: http://www.wsna.net/snfw.htm.
The Wisconsin League for Nursing also sponsors scholarships for nursing students who have
completed at least half of the credits required for graduation. Applications are ONLY available directly from NLN accredited
schools. Students interesting in obtaining an application should contact their advisor at their school of nursing. Students must
turn their applications in to their Dean of Nursing/Program Director by February 15, 2008.
Learning to be professional… Testing one, two, three!
One of the most difficult things to do as we go through our nursing courses, is remain professional. You may come back to
answer that statement with, “What!?” There are many facets to professionalism, and I would like to share one aspect with
you. Pretending to be professional and being professional are two different things indeed.
Part of being professional is being able to hold your tongue especially when it comes to wanting to be a busy body and
know what your peer got on that last exam. It happens all over. So-and-so got an “A” or so-and-so failed that last test! It
really is none of our business to intrude on our peers private scores. If you think about it, it can be much like patient confi-
dentiality. As soon to be professionals, we need to work on this test score dilemma. No one should have to feel badgered
to exploit their score on exams. If you have done well, and wish to tell everyone you know… think about your fellow peer
first. Perhaps they did not do so well. How do you think your bragging is going to make that person feel? Instead of asking
how someone how they have done on a test, how about asking them how they studied. If you received a score that you are
pleased with on an exam, saying something like “I found a really great way to study”, may encourage someone who isn’t
doing as well as you to ask you how you are studying. If they also done well, you can share ideas. It works the same way for
someone who is struggling. A way to open a conversation about study skills could be phrased like, “That was a tough test,
how did you study for it?”
Lessons learned about being polite, kind, and professional shouldn’t be forgotten just because we are in college.
A word of thanks to my instructors. They have been a wonderful
support through the years, and their insight is much appreciated.
Sharon Vandenberg
WSNA STAT Editor
Page 5 W S N A S TU D E N T S T A T

6. 60th Annual WSNA Convention
Autism: You Have A Voice!
Friday, February 13, 2009 – Sunday, February 15, 2009
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center
1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(877) 253-5466
Hotel reservation deadline is January 13, 2009
Reserve a: LODGE SUITE for 4 persons with kitchenette …………………...…….$179
OR
HUT for 4 persons …………………………………………………………....……...$159
LODGE/HUT combinations are available for 8 persons …..…...$338
HUT/LODGE/HUT combinations for 12 persons ………………….$497
*Complimentary water park wrist bands for all registered guests
are included in room rates.
Space is limited.
Room availability is not guaranteed after January 13, 2009.
Please contact the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center at
(877) 253-5466 to reserve your hotel room.
**Ask for the Wisconsin Student Nurse’s Association room block**
More info available at http://www.kalahariresort.com/
Information subject to change without notice.
Please check the WSNA website http://www.wsna.net for
the most up-to-date information.

7. 60th Annual WSNA Convention
Autism: YOU Have A Voice!
TENTATIVE Schedule of Events:
February 13th– 15th, 2009
Friday – February 13, 2009
3:00-6:00 pm Registration
6:00-6:45 pm Dinner & Welcoming Ceremony
6:45- 7:15 pm House of Delegates Informational Session – Mandatory for all delegates, open to anyone who is interested.
(Right after dinner in Dinner Hall)
7:15- 725 pm Campaign Social
7:30-9:00 pm Quiz Bowl & the traditional Nursing Olympics
Saturday – February 14, 200
7:30-10:30 am Registration
7:30-9:00 am Breakfast Buffet
7:30 -10:30 am Exhibit Hall Open - Job and educational opportunities, medical supplies and more!
9:30-10:30 am Advisors Workshop
9:30-10:30 am Council of Chapter Presidents
10:30-11:15 am Auction and Raffle
11:15 am - noon Lunch
12:30-1:30 pm Focus Sessions
1:45-2:45 pm Focus Sessions
3:00-5:30 pm House of Delegates – Mandatory for all delegates, open to anyone who is interested.
5:30-6:30 pm Dinner
6:30-10:00 pm Evening Entertainment – Fun in the Waterpark!!
Sunday – February 15, 2009
7:00-7:45 am Voting – Mandatory for all delegates
8:00-9:00 am Focus Sessions and Mini-NCLEX Review
9:00-10:15 am New Board Ceremony and Closing Brunch
***This is a tentative schedule***
Please check the WSNA website http://www.wsna.net
for the most current information.
VOLUME 55, ISSUE 3 Page 7

8. VO L U M E 5 5 , I S S U E 3 Page 8

9. AUTISM: Know the Facts, Use Your Voice, Help Educate Others…
It is a disorder that is estimated to affect one in every 150 individuals- which makes it
more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all
racial, ethnic, and social groups, and is commonly diagnosed before the age of three.
Every 16 minutes another child is diagnosed with this disorder.
What is this epidemic afflicting so many young children? It is autism.
The Wisconsin Student Nurses’ Association has chosen Autism Awareness and the
theme “You Have a Voice” as our community project this year. Autism is an illness
that the general public knows very little about. By adopting autism as our community
project, WSNA hopes to educate others about the disease and increase awareness of
the disorder that affects so many in our country. WSNA encourages its members to
use their voices in an effort to educate their peers as well as the general public about
the poorly understood disorder known as autism.
What is Autism?
Autism is NOT a mental illness, but is considered a “bio-neurological” disorder that impairs a person's ability to communicate and
relate to others. Autism is a complex developmental disability that impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of so-
cial interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function.
What are the symptoms of Autism?
Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental mile-
stones. Some parents feel that their child seemed different from birth, while other children seem to begin developing normally and
then lose skills and begin to regress. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social
interactions, and leisure or play activities. Individuals with autism often display repetitive behaviors as well, such as obsessively ar-
ranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.
What causes Autism?
The answer to this question will only come from research. Currently, the majority of scientists and physicians believe that certain
children are genetically pre-disposed to developing autism, but that it takes exposure to some sort of environmental “trigger” for
them to actually develop autism. There is a lot of speculation about the possibility of childhood immunizations being linked to autism
- however this has not been proven. WSNA hopes that awareness of autism may help fund the research needed to help scientists
find the answer to this question.
Is there a treatment for Autism?
Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and
no cure. Research indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate educational
setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improve-
ments for many young children with autism. Children with autism are being helped through
bio-medical treatments such as dietary intervention and nutritional supplementation, and
also through therapeutic behavioral interventions.
References & Further Information:
National Autism Association, www.nationalautismassociation.org
Autism Speaks Campaign, www.autismspeaks.org
Autism Society of America, www.autism-society.org
VOLUME 55, ISSUE 3 Page 9

10. What I’ve Learned… By Lizzy Pieper, WSNA Elected Consultant
I recently graduated from nursing school, and have begun my nursing career as a RN in the Emergency
Department. It’s fast-paced, challenging, and there is NEVER a dull moment. In my first 100 days as a
nurse, I learned more than I could have ever imagined. I would like to share some of my most compelling
findings with you. Please enjoy, and remember- laughter is the best medicine!
 Being a nurse is really hard work! Especially when you are simultaneously serving as a waitress, secretary,
baby-sitter, and family therapist.
 There is nothing wrong with drinking lemonade out of a graduated cylinder with a straw. Just don’t get it
confused with the graduated cylinder that you just used to empty the leg bag in room 4.
 If you’ve never been bitten by another human being before, prepare yourself- because eventually you will be.
 There are people out there who sincerely consider their toothache to be an emergency at 3 o’clock in the
afternoon… and they would like to be seen by the physician before CPR is started on the patient in the next room.
 As a general rule, any patient presenting with more than 4 tattoos and 2 body piercings is “deathly afraid of
needles” -- so please do not attempt an IV start on them.
 Sometimes you have to find happiness in the little things… like the fact that despite being blue in color; your
patient has a palpable pulse.
 Not all patients are irritating or difficult to get along with… for example, patients who are not breathing are
always quite grateful to see a nurse.
TIPS to Help You Tackle Those Final Exams...
 Avoid Distractions
Whether you are studying or taking the exam itself, leave no room for distraction. Studying should
be done in the library or in a quiet room with the TV and music turned off. Turn your cell phone off
too- you can return missed calls during a scheduled study break. On test day, focus on the task at
hand. Pay attention to the exam in front of you, and ignore the fact that the person sitting next to
you has just finished the exam and you have four more pages left to go. Concentrate on YOUR test,
and success will come easily.
 Say NO to All-Nighters and Excessive Caffeine
Staying up all night to cram might help you pass a test every now and then, but it is a horrible habit to get into. Besides, nursing knowledge is
something you want to retain for a lifetime, not just until you fill in the last circle on your multiple choice exam. Start studying for your exam
as soon as your professor covers the material. That way, you will discover topics that are unclear to you while you still have enough time to
ask questions and get additional help if you need it. Make flashcards as you cover the material, and take 10-15 minutes every day to go
through them. If you follow this advice, you might find that you won’t need to stay up past your bedtime studying the night before the exam.
Drinking excessive caffeine to help you stay awake isn’t a brilliant idea anyways– it can leave you too wired to focus on the task at hand come
test-time.
 Arrive Early & Bring Your POSITIVE Attitude
Get a good night’s sleep and set your alarm clock a little early. Arriving in the classroom 15-20 minutes before your test will give you a few
minutes to review your material one last time, collect your supplies, and make yourself comfortable. Tell yourself that you are going to do
well on this exam. After all, you have studied, gotten a good-night’s sleep, and arrived early– right??? If you think you are going to succeed–
chances are you probably will. Just because you didn’t get the best grade on your first exam doesn’t mean you are going to do poorly on
every exam thereafter. You have learned from your mistakes, and adjusted your study habits in order to be successful. Be confident, and
remind yourself how intelligent you are. Attitude makes a HUGE difference in everything we do!
 Reward Yourself
After you are done taking the test, reward yourself for all your hard work. Remember, nursing students can get burnt out too! Do something
fun- Watch a movie, spend time with friends, or go out for ice cream. Sitting around in contemplation over how the test went won’t do any-
thing but put you on the fast track to insanity! Besides, maybe this test wasn’t worth getting anxious about after all!
VOLUME 55, ISSUE 3 Page 10

11. The Nurses’ Night Before Christmas…
T'was the night before Christmas, & all thru the floor, When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Lasix was given, filling foleys galore. But Santa himself and 8 tiny reindeer.
Stockings were worn to prevent emboli, He came bearing gifts from Central Supply
they came in two sizes, knee and thigh high. Saline bags, tubing, LR, and D5!
The patients were nestled snug in their beds, The doctors then scribbled what no one could read,
while visions of stool softeners danced in their heads. Orders on patients, to measure their pee.
We in our scrubs, and they in their gowns,
Fashions created to hide extra pounds. The new shift arriving, our day is now through,
How did stool & emesis get in my shoe?
When down in the ER it became such a zoo We give them report and pass on the facts,
they called with admissions for me and for you. and tell them of Duoderm lining the cracks.
They're coming, they're going, all looking the same. And the nurses exclaim as they limp out of sight,
My patience for patients is starting to wane. quot;Merry Christmas to all, and to all good night.!!!quot;
And now delegation seems to be the best plan,
But who can I find to empty bed pans?! (Author Unknown)
Here is how to reach us:
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 11

12. A Publication of the
Wisconsin Student
Nurses Association
We’re on the Web!
www.wsna.net
Calendar of Events
2009 WNSA Annual Convention
Friday February 13th -15th , 2009
Kalahari Resort & Convention Center - WI Dells
www.wsna.net for more information
2009 Nurses Day at the Capitol
March 3rd, 2009 at the Monona Terrace
Convention Center
Madison, WI
www.wisconsinnurses.org for more information
NSNA Convention
April 15-19, 2009
Nashville, TN
www.nsna.org for more information