Nursing student Kaleigh Newton made two key discoveries when she attended her first Canadian Nursing Student Association (CNSA) conference in Saskatoon, Sask., during her first year.

First, the president of the School of Nursing’s (SON) Nursing Society discovered there was a place as cold as Newfoundland and Labrador, maybe even colder. Second, she realized she very much wanted to get involved in the work of the CNSA. Ms. Newton is the organization's new vice-president.

“After I left that conference I was constantly seeking out opportunities to get involved,” said Ms. Newton. “I never expected to be as inspired as I was – I couldn’t believe how smart and accomplished they (nursing students with the CNSA) were, even before they graduated.”

A third-year student from Nova Scotia, Ms. Newton is just beginning her year-long term as vice-president. CNSA is a national student-run association that brings together students from nursing schools across the country.

As vice-president, Ms. Newton will serve as the student representative on the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) board of directors, acting as primary liaison to CASN, attending all relevant events and business meetings and acting as the chief executive officer of scholarship/awards activities. 

Is she nervous? Well, maybe just a little, she says. Mostly she’s excited about taking on the larger role. Ms. Newton’s position as president of the SON’s nursing society this past year, and her work with the CNSA as Atlantic regional director and as international exchange co-ordinator for the CNSA Global Health Committee, served as an excellent training ground.

“Even though my position is not a paid one, it feels incredible to be finding my niche,” she said. “CNSA has given me the opportunity to take my learning beyond the classroom and put into practice my leadership and time-management skills.

“The School of Nursing is very supportive of student endeavours through CNSA. Professors and clinical instructors have been very accommodating of the extensive travel for meetings and conferences that are involved in my position on the board of directors and for that I am forever grateful.”

And she says it’s clear that a Memorial education is producing future nursing leaders.

It's the fourth year in a row that a Memorial University nursing student will hold the CNSA’s Atlantic regional director position; over the past four years a student from the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, the SON and currently the Western Regional School of Nursing has served in this role.

“This has been noticed across Atlantic Canada,” she said. “Students are also well-known nationally for submitting position statements and resolution statements that promote thought-provoking conversation at CNSA's national assembly.”

Would she encourage other nursing students to get involved in the CNSA? The answer is a resounding "yes."

"As a (School of Nursing) student you are already a member, so if you are interested in getting involved with CNSA you can contact your official and associate delegates at mun@cnsa.ca,” said Ms. Newton. “They can inform you about award opportunities and other benefits of membership.”