Having grown up in Connecticut, Madeleine Willett ’26 (NURS) has only known what it’s like to be a nurse in New England, that is, until the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) gave her insight outside of the state’s border.

NSNA was founded in 1952 and has over “50,000 members in 1,500 nursing programs nationwide,” according to the NSNA website. It’s open to students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate, diploma, and generic graduate nursing programs.

The Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) has chapters in 600 nursing programs, UConn School of Nursing being one of them.

“Through the SNA chapter and my involvement with the national organization, I’ve been exposed to unique, geographically specific challenges in nursing that differ significantly from what I’ve known in New England,” said Willet, SNA vice president.

SNA currently has 213 students. Nine of those students, including Willett, got to attend NSNA’s 73^rd annual convention hosted in Seattle, Washington on April 9-13, 2025.

D’Ana Brooks, DNP, RN, CNL, clinical instructor and SNA advisor attended the event alongside her students. To be selected to go, Brooks, Willett, and Chapter President, Allison Villano, selected students based off submitted applications.

“It was an absolute pleasure to join them for the conference and see them so involved as leaders at the national level,” said Brooks. “Connecticut was well represented at the conference, and UConn’s presence was felt! Our students have big goals to continue to grow our local and state chapters.”

This year’s theme was “Ignite, Innovate, Lead,” and over 2,000 nursing students, educators, and nursing leaders were in attendance.

Willett went to the conference as not only the SNA vice president, but as a member of the Nominations and Elections committee as part of the national leadership team. On this committee she helped organize and run the elections for the conference to elect the next national board and Chair of State Presidents.

They work throughout the year to explain the policies and procedures around campaigning, facilitating elections, voting, and debates.

The position gave her the opportunity to increase her communication, organizational, and conflict resolution skills while also showing her what nursing is like in other communities.

“This convention offers so many opportunities to interact with students from across the country and learn new skills and get a broader perspective of what it means to be a nurse in the United States vs. Connecticut,” said Willett.

Exhibits throughout the convention provided students with the opportunity to meet and connect with individuals in employment and academic settings, creating a space for networking.

They also had the chance to meet NSNA leaders including the Board of Directors, Nominating and Elections Committee, and the Chair of the Resolutions Committee.

Being able to work on the committee with nursing students all over the country and interacting with NSNA staff including Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kenya Williams, EdD, MBA, MSN, RN, RP, CAE, FNYAM, FADLN, FAAN, was a highlight for Willett.

“You can see all of the different realms in nursing and get to meet some of the biggest leaders in the field,” she remarked.

Samantha Youngs ’26 (NURS), SNA secretary, attended the convention alongside Willett. Similar to Willett, the convention gave her perspectives on nursing from various specialties and backgrounds from all over the country.

“I pursued a career in healthcare to have the privilege of caring for others and to make a difference in the lives of my future patients, and I feel continuously empowered to do so while interacting with other nursing students and nurse leaders,” said Youngs.

While at the convention she had the privilege of serving in the House of Delegates. They voted on 39 resolutions and “witnessed firsthand how students are shaping the future of the nursing profession,” she said.

Youngs joined SNA as a freshman and has attended the convention since she was a sophomore. This past April, she was deemed the new CT and UConn SNA chapter presidents.

“Taking on the role of President of the UConn Student Nurses’ Association feels absolutely surreal,” Youngs remarked. “I am looking forward to working alongside the accomplished SNA officers and continuing to foster an environment where student nurses feel seen, heard, and supported.”

Both SNA and the NSNA convention have given Willett and Youngs opportunities that they wouldn’t have thought possible prior to their involvement.

When reflecting on their time, they both emphasized their appreciation for their advisor Brooks.

“I am especially grateful for the guidance of our advisor, Dr. Brooks, whose support and creativity mean so much to our chapter,” Willett said. “UConn SNA helps shape leaders, creates community, and makes our nursing education more personalized and meaningful.”