Brooklyn, NY. April 12, 2013. The National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) is pleased to announce the election of Jesse Kennedy as the 2013-2014 NSNA President. Elections were held on April 6, 2013 during the 61st Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Kennedy is finishing his final semester at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, where he will earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in June 2013. His education continues this fall as he looks forward to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through the RN-to-BSN program at Oregon Health and Sciences University.
While attending the NSNA 60th Anniversary Convention in April 2012, Mr. Kennedy knew he would run for NSNA leadership. "The amount of energy and inspiration that I received from that week was indescribable," he says. "I knew that I wanted to be a part of this impressive group of student leaders and help lead this amazing organization, especially where legislation and policy education are concerned."
Prior to his election, Mr. Kennedy served as the 2012-2013 Vice President of the Oregon Student Nurses' Association, and 2011-2013 President of the Lane Community College Student Nurses' Association. As president of his school chapter, he led his fellow students on a global nursing expedition to Thailand in 2011 and 2012.
Looking ahead beyond his years at NSNA, Mr. Kennedy hopes to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing degree and eventually operate a wellness clinic that incorporates many health disciplines and focuses on preventative and maintenance care. His leadership path will not end with NSNA. "I plan to continue to lead, inspire and advocate for our colleagues in every avenue I can," he says.
But for now, his focus is on NSNA and student nurses. "I am extremely passionate about advocating for my fellow student nurses, nurses and patients through the education of legislation and policy matters," he says. He plans to energize and empower students to make a difference in their individual communities. "I want to ensure that the students of the NSNA know that there are resources to ensure their success in making a lasting difference in their community."
As NSNA president, he serves as chair of the NSNA Executive Committee; as a member of both the NSNA Finance Committee and Council of State Presidents Planning Committee; and as ex-officio member of the Foundation of the NSNA Board of Trustees.
"By making NSNA more visible on the national scene and ensuring that the voice of students is heard," he says, "I hope to secure a prominent place for student nurses and nurses in the new community-based healthcare model that will continue to develop."
NSNA is a membership organization representing over 60,000 students in Associate Degree, Diploma, Baccalaureate, generic Masters and generic Doctoral programs preparing students for Registered Nurse licensure, as well as RNs in BSN completion programs.