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THE SENATE CONSISTS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, THE FOUR CLASS COUNCILS, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
SAKURA ANDO: During your time in the Rutgers Nursing School, whether that be 14 months, 2 years, or 4 years, your student life may encounter issues or even dead ends. No matter the reason, there are students dedicated to helping you. Rutgers University, School of Nursing Student Senate. Every campus has a student government representing the students through leadership. At the Bergen Street School of Nursing we have the Accelerated SGA under Kristen Fitzgerald's presidency; Blackwood School of Nursing has the Student Leadership Board headed by Amanda Baez; Newark and New Brunswick campus generic 4 year program nursing has each class councils represented, Kathleen Pe単aflorida for Class of 2015, Samantha Higinbotham for Class of 2016, and Nancy Chen for Class of 2017. We are all dedicated for the students of the School of Nursing, collaborated for a united mission; that your experience in the School of Nursing deserves as much attention as does your curriculum. Our responsibility includes looking out for any issues or opportunities that can enhance your nursing education. This includes job opportunities, study groups, student and academic affairs issues, and community outreach opportunities. Look out for our bi-semesterly meetings!
NEW BRUNSWICK
NEWARK
BERGEN STREET
BLACKWOOD
- GREETINGS AND REGARDS TO NURSING AMANDA BAEZ: We are the governing body for all nursing students at the RUSON satellite campus in Blackwood. Our group consists of five seniors and one junior. Our members include Kelly Hoopes, Amy Slater, Ryann Kenkelen, Matthew Eaton, Cassandra Jaconski, and Amanda Baez. Kelly Hoopes is our secretary and treasurer. She is an all star student who is highly motivated and wildly creative. Kelly currently excels in her current position as a patient care technician at Kennedy Health Systems and carries those skills over into her clinical and class work. Amy Slater represents the junior class on campus as our Activities Chairperson. Amy has strong ties in the community and is experienced with community outreach and volunteer programs. Ryann Kenkelen is our Academic and Career Development Chair. She has seven years experience in the medical field through her work at Virtua Health Systems where she has been an active member of various committees. Matthew Eaton is the Vice President of Rutgers Relations. He is a driven individual who is eager to be the middleman in all affairs that involve the main campus. He's also a talented student who is always willing to give more insight for students who are struggling to comprehend content material. Cassandra Jaconski is the Vice President of Camden County College Relations. Cassandra consistently exceeds expectations in her class work and in executive board affairs. She works hard to keep all members of our program connected by being the voice of our Facebook page. Amanda Baez is the President of our group. She is dedicated to her studies as well as her work as an Executive Board Member. She takes pride in her work as a student nurse extern at Christiana Care Hospital and strives to create similar opportunities for her fellow classmates and for students in the future. As a group our mission is to create the same opportunities and events for the students of RUSON on our small satellite campus as those given to the students on the main campus. We aim to bring the big college experience to our small college campus and look forward to set the bar for the future of our program.
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KRISTEN FITZGERALD: Rutgers School of Nursing Student Government Association (SGA) proudly represents and serves the accelerated BSN student body. We work hard to create a welcoming environment for students by hosting inter-level events bridging the gaps between levels and enriching our educational and philanthropic development. In October, SGA hosted a bake sale to raise money for Walking Tall Charities, a non-profit organization assisting uninsured and under insured amputees to walk again by helping to obtain prosthesis. The focus of each triannual fundraising campaign reflects peer requests to support health-related programs important to our students. This holiday season, SGA will be working with the Apostles’ House, a Newark-based center, to provide holiday gifts to families in need through our annual Adopt-a-Family campaign. This summer, SGA hosted the first annual career fair providing students an opportunity to speak with nurse recruiters and working ABSN graduates. From fundraising to career preparation, SGA provides a means for student collaboration toward the art and profession of nursing.
- RUTGERS UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION -
’ STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT RUSON MEETING
SAKURA ANDO: Hello, and nice to meet you! My name is Sakura Ando, and I am your 2014-2015 academic year's RUSON Student Senate President At Large. What does this mean? It means that I am responsible for making your time at Rutgers School of Nursing fun, memorable, and comfortable for you. I hope you enjoy our very own newsletter, and watch out for event dates on the back!
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1 | COVER 4 | WHAT IS RUSON 4 | BLACKWOOD GREETINGS 5 | RUTGERS NURSING SGA 5 | TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 | PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 6 | BREAST CANCER WALK 8| SERVICE PROJECTS 8 | SENATE AMBASSADORS 10 | REMINDERS & CONTACTS
- CHEERING ON SURVIRORS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS -
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MILLION RAISED
41
3000
STATES CAME
PARTICIPANTS
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39.3 MILES
“THE WALK WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL� PAK CHAU: The cold autumn atmosphere and the frigid morning chills were a brutal combination. Taking the morning PATH train into the city was no joke either. These were some of the nuisances that the members of the Rutgers Nursing Senate faced the morning of the AVON Breast Caner Walk. The senate acted as a pseudo cheering unit encouraging walkers. However, the small nuisances we faced that morning paled in comparison to the walkers. Not only had some fought cancer and others still fighting but the walkers persisted in walking the 39 miles of the walk in the frigid air. Cheering them on almost seemed as though it was a privilege: being able to see the walkers defy the odds. Without a doubt, the walk was an inspiration to all to defy their obstacles continue to strive on. MOLLY NAFT: What an incredibly amazing, rewarding, and fulfilling experience I had at the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer! It was so inspiring to see so many women and men walking the streets of New York City, in honor of all those who suffer and have passed away as a result of Breast Cancer, each year. It was such an incredible experience to be able to have both the New Brunswick and Newark Nursing classes come together for such a great cause! No words can describe the intense feeling of fulfillment and the sheer gratitude that each and every one of us felt because we were able to be a part of something so much bigger than us, individually. We were so fortunate to be able to support the survivors, loved ones, friends, and general awareness supporters who took the brave stride of participating in the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer! This has by far been the highlight of my year and I can't wait to see what else RUSON can do to make a change in the community!
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- SENATE AMBASSADOR “FOSTER DEVELOPMENT IN YOURSELF AND OTHERS”
Food Boxes Collection We are collecting any non perishable foods. Assembled food baskets will be donated the Goodwill Rescue Mission in order to provide meals to those in need in Newark. Collection boxes are in the Office of Student Services in Ackerson Hall, 180 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102 and Denise Santangelo's office in the School of NurSing building on 110 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ. Donations are due no later than November 19.
PEARL JASMIN: Happy November! My name is Pearl Jasmin Lariza and I am one of the RUSON Executive Board’s Senate Ambassadors. I am a sophomore in the New Brunswick School of Nursing and am really excited to serve you all this year. To tell you all a little more about myself, I am from a town very close to the New Brunswick campus called East Brunswick which why I’m a commuter student. I was also an orientation leader for the past summer which was an amazing experience and from there, I am currently hired as an orientation team leader working for the Rutgers New Student Orientation office for this year and the upcoming summer. In addition to that, I teach recitations for Philosophy: Intro to Logic and am a peer mentor for the School of Nursing. I strongly believe in the growth one can attain from being a well-rounded individual so one can better know themselves. Getting Involved on Campus: Since I have a of background getting involved with different organizations, here are a few tips that I found were very helpful when I realized I wanted to get involved more on campus. Involvement Fairs: There’s no better way to get a full view of the diversity of all the organizations that Rutgers has to offer than checking out one of the involvement fairs. On the New Brunswick campus, they are held in the beginning of the fall and spring semester. With representatives from each organization there, you have the opportunity to ask them what they stand for and see if they interest you! Staying Fit with Rutgers Recreation and Intramurals: Staying fit is something that nurses will likely have to get familiar with when they perform physical feats in their workplace from running around in hospitals transporting patients, attending to multiple tasks, and staying up working for long hours. Access to recreation facilities is available on both New Brunswick and Newark campuses and is a great fun way to stay fit. There are competitive intramural teams and as many people know, access to the Rutgers gyms are free with proof of student ID. Sign up for Interest, Commit for Values: Although there are so many options at our disposal, it can be easy to sign up for so many things because they fit our interest. But doing so could make us lose ourselves. It’s important to keep in mind whether your attachment to an organization is because you believe in their values or because it “looks good” to be a part of them. The organization should provide ample opportunities to test your own abilities so you can mature during your time with them. Genuinely having a good time with the people who are a part of it, and the tasks that are brought forth with the organization is a sign that you have found another family and home where you may be able to foster development in yourself and others.
- REACHING OUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY -
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RICHIE TRAN: Hello everyone! My name is Richie Tran and I am part of the RUSON Executive Board’s Senate Ambassadors. I am a nursing student in the New Brunswick Campus. Here are some little fun facts about myself. This past summer I served as a peer mentor for a program called GEAR UP in Atlantic City (which is the area I am from). In this program I worked with inner city children between the ages 12-18 years old. My duties as a peer mentor were to encourage the children to think about higher education. Currently, I am also volunteering at Saint Peter`s Hospital and part of RUSON Student Senate Community Outreach Committee. My passion consists of helping others in any way that I possibly can and to help them achieve their greatest potential. Another fact is that I have an associate’s degree in psychology. Lastly, I became friends with Mike Tyson two years ago (kind of). Traveling Can Teach You a Thing or Two: Ever since my college career began, I started to travel to many different places across the country. In this section I will talk about how traveling can widen your perspective. And how to approach these new opportunities. Meeting New People: During your travels, you will be able to encounter many different types of people. By having a simple conversation with a stranger you can learn a lot about yourself or the person. Hearing a stranger’s personal story can teach you a thing or two about life. The more people you meet, the more understanding you are towards different type of people. In the field of health care it is important to acknowledge that everyone is not the same and you cannot be bias towards one patient over the other. It’s Not Home: Traveling to a different area will automatically allow you to experience a different environment. Sometimes the environment can be pleasant or it can be horrible. For example, when I was traveling around Oklahoma, I ended up in an area where the populations were predominantly one race. Being the odd ball the local residents would stare me down making me feel uncomfortable; however I learned to make the best of the situation. Learning how to handle different environments by traveling can be applied in anything. Conclusion: If you have the opportunity to travel somewhere away from home, I say that it! Going to a different places and meeting different people is always a good thing!
RUSON Blood Drive New Brunswick, NJ. Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 11:00 am 5:00 pm at the bus stop on College Avenue across form Au Bon Pain. Volunteers are needed at the tables and to assist in attracting possible blood donors. You may also come to donate blood by making an appointment or walking in. Contact Rachel Hess at rhess531@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering at the Blood Drive.
- SENATE AMBASSADOR “IT’S NOT HOME: TRAVEL TO A DIFFERENT AREA”
Fundraising for Claudine St. Fleur's Nursing Education Fund Claudine St. Fleur is an aspiring nurse who was pursuing her studies in Haiti. As a result of the tragic earthquake in Haiti in 2010, both of Claudine's parents passed away, resulting in her having to give up nursing school in order to work and take care of her two younger brothers. With no income to support her studies, she is unable to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. However, with the help of the Rutgers University community, it is possible for Claudine to achieve her dreams if we raise money so that she can return to her studies either in Haiti or here in the United States. .If you would like to learn more about Claudine and her story, please visit the Facebook page created towards the cause of fundraising for her nursing education. If you would like to make a monetary donation towards Claudine's education, please donate at: http://www.gofundme.com/claudinestfleur. A holiday-themed candygram fundraiser will be held in December to also help fundraise for Claudine's education. For other upcoming fundraising events, please stay tuned.
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PRESIDENT AT LARGE
SAKURA ANDO
SRA66@SCARLETMAIL.RUTGER.EDU
RUSON SGA VICE PRESIDENT
MARIA DI DIEGO
MARIA.DIDIEGO@GMAIL.COM
RUSON SGA SECRETARY
RACHEL SISON
RACHELN.SISON@RUTGERS.EDU
RUSON SGA TREASURER
KEVIN LO
KCL53@SCARLETMAIL.COM
RUSON SGA EDITOR
PAK CHAU
PAKWACHAU@GMAIL.COM
COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
KATHLEEN PENAFLORIDA
K.PENAFLORIDA@RUTGERS.EDU
UNIVERSITY SENATOR
JULIE-ANNE TIANGCO
JARTIANGCO.HOTMAIL.COM
STUDENT AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE
MILLICENT MOSERAY JEFFREY DYNOF
MILLYANDB@GMAIL.COM JEFFREY.DYNOF@RUTGERS.EDU
ACADEMIC AFFAIR REPRESENTATIVE
JESICA LEE
JESICA.G.LEE@GMAIL.COM
BLACKWOOD SGA PRESIDENT
AMANDA BAEZ
AMANDA.BAEZ1@GMAIL.COM
SGA PRESIDENT BERGEN ST
KRISTEN FITZGERALD
FITZGEKR@SN.RUTGERS.EDU