Students represent MASN delegates well

By: Allison Princiotta, MSN, CPNP-PC

The Mississippi Association of Student Nurses (MASN) hosted its annual convention on the Mississippi Gulf Coast on October 26-27. Almost 1,000 students from schools across the state were in attendance – with nearly a third of the students from the SON’s undergraduate programs. The theme of this year’s convention was Forward: Navigating the Future of Nursing. MASN Faculty Consultant, Dr. Tara Price reflects, “Navigating the future of nursing just got better! One thousand Mississippi nursing students in one place striving to fill the needs of the profession has renewed our hope and strength to serve our communities…the future is bright in Mississippi.”

The executive board planning and implementing the 2023 convention included four UMMC students. Leading the board was President Matthew Hartzog, a July graduate from the Oxford Accelerated program. Matthew is now employed as a staff nurse in the Pediatric Emergency Department at Lebonhour Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. Anna Claire Williams another Oxford Accelerated program July graduate served as 2nd Vice-President. She is now a nurse in the Medical/Surgical ICU at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN. Additionally, two seniors from the Jackson Traditional program served on the 2022-2023 board: Taylor Glascoe as secretary/treasurer and Celeste Knighton as Director of Communications.  Dr. Tara Price, an assistant professor in the UMMC Accelerated BSN Oxford and former faculty in the UMMC Traditional BSN program in Jackson, served as the state board faculty advisor for the last year and was elected by the 2023-2024 MASN board to remain as faculty advisor for a second year. Dr. Price has served as lead faculty advisor for the UMMC MASN chapter for three years and was extremely instrumental in the organization and execution of the MASN convention.

Over two days, students attended various breakout sessions and daily keynote speaker presentations. Retired Associate Dean of the UMMC SON, Dr. Ladonna Northington delivered the opening day keynote address. Dr. Northington’s speech was memorable as she discussed her monumental career and her insight into the ever-evolving nature of the nursing profession. Breakout session presentations were provided by many UMMC faculty and providers. A full house was in attendance for “Forensic Nursing” led by the Children’s Justice Center Nurse Practitioner, Amanda McCullough, a former SON faculty. Other highlights of the convention included a career panel featuring UMMC advanced practice providers and faculty– Nurse Anesthetist, Blake Ward, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and TBSN faculty member, Allison Princiotta, and NED graduate and TBSN faculty, Johnna Riddick. Keynote speaker on day 2 included Dr. Leigh Holly, Assistant Dean of Oxford Accelerated Program, and program director for the Oxford ABSN program, Lacey Gentry. Mrs. Gentry’s lecture detailed helpful test-taking skills for those ever so difficult and dreaded nursing exams. Dr. Holley had the audience captivated and intrigued as she held a conversation focused on the future of nursing including things like artificial intelligence. The convention was closed by well-known Mississippian and celebrity of the nursing profession, Marlene Hurst, President and founder of The Hurst Review. She had the audience rolling with laughter during her presentation entitled, “How to Survive Nursing School”.

Students also had the opportunity to visit the exhibit hall sponsored by the Mississippi Association of Nurses, where many nursing schools from the Southeast offered information for RN to BSN transition and graduate-level programs. Additionally, many Mississippi hospitals and medical care facilities were in attendance with recruitment information.

Scholarships were awarded during the convention to the following UMMC students: Allison Martin, Kristal Wright, Abbey Casey, Lacie English, Richard Wright, and Lake Rhodes. Many others walked away door prize winners. Ansley Hill, a UMMC senior TBSN nursing student, was named Most Outstanding MASN Member for her tireless hours of service before and throughout the convention.

UMMC had 36 students represent the MASN chapter as delegates during the House of Delegates. Nominations and elections were held to fill positions for the 2023-2024 board. The executive board was swept by UMMC students. Richard Wright will serve as president, Meg Anderson, as 1st Vice-President, Taylor Glascoe, as 2nd Vice-President, Kristal Wright as Secretary/Treasurer, Ansley Fava as Director of Communications, Christian Berry as Director of Fundraising, and Delaney Riba as Director of Breakthrough into Nursing. Matthew Hartzog and Anna Claire Williams, UMMC graduates and 2022-2023 MASN board members, were elected to serve as Executive Directors for MASN. This is a new position but one needed and deserved to continue to grow the organization's mission and visibility.

The convention was a welcome break from the fast-paced semester of clinicals and classrooms for all students and faculty in attendance. Students spent their free evenings socializing with classmates and enjoying the sights and beautiful weather of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. UMMC students and graduates will continue to strongly represent the student association into the future and will serve to coordinate an even bigger 2024 MASN convention.