1. History
Themission of theBreakthrough to
Nursing (BTN)project isto createnurses
that aresensitiveto thecultural diversity
in our society. BTN promotesthe
development of skillsto become
responsiblemembersof theprofession
who respect thedifferencesand
similaritiesbetween people, advocates
quality care, utilizestheprinciplesof
transcultural nursing, and facilitiesthe
development of peer support systems. All
of which enhanceand increase
recruitment and retention into the
nursing profession.
Bluepr int
to
BTN
JENNIFERKALENKOSKI
BREAKTHROUGH TONURSINGDIRECTOR
BTNDIRECTOR@NSNAINC.ORG
"Br eakthr ough to
Nursing:
Empower ment
thr ough Diversity
and Scholarship"
"BTNmeanseducatingandpavingnursing
pathwaysfor minority students"
- DesmondAtem,IU South Bend
"It isan opportunity for theprofession
toincreaseitsdiversity andhaveminds
from all backgrounds."
-Daniel Duron, CNSA BTN
"BTNtomemeansovercomingadversity,
pursuingopportunitiesthat helpus
continuetogrowasnursesandhuman
beings,andactively makingadifferencein
thelivesof others"
-MelissaByrne,CNSA BTNDirecotr
TheNational Student Nurses?Association
began to gain interest in recruiting
nursing studentsin 1954 when faced with
acritical nursing shortage. NSNA
established acommitteeto do just this. A
meeting held in 1964 would mark the
beginning of what isknown today asthe
?Breakthrough to Nursing Project?
PhotoCredit:50Yearsof theNational Student Nurses'
Association by DianeMancino

2. Br eakthr ough
To Nursing
Pr ojects
Youth Outr each: Reachingout tothe
youth isagreat way topromoterecruitment
intonursing. At ayounger age,studentsare
beginningtodecideon acareer path and
exploreoptionsfor their future. Beingthere
toeducateon nursingcan helpbringmore
studentsintotheprofession. Chaptersaround
thecountry havebeen connectingwith high
schools,school nurses,youth groups,and
other networkstoteach studentsabout
nursing. Somehaveeven usedthis
opportunity toeducateabout current issuesof
theworldsuch asZikaVirus.
Save-A-Hear t Campaign: Save-A-Heart
campaign allowsstudentstoeducatethepublic
on theimportanceof knowinghandsonly CPR.
Knowingandbeingabletoperform handsonly
CPRcan haveadrasticimpact on theoutcomeof
theperson. Asidefrom teachingCPR,schools
havealsousedthisasachancetoprovide
educational teachingandfreebloodpressure
screeningstothepublic.
BTNConfer ence: In October,thefirst
ever conferencededicatedentirely to
Breakthrough toNursingwasheld. This
conferenceallowedstudents,chapters,and
BTNdirectorsfrom all over thestateof
Californiatocometogether. The
conferenceprovidedworkshopson diversity
andmentor ship,aswell aspanelsand
Q&A'stohelpstudents. Thiswasahuge
success,not only for theevent,but for BTN
asawhole. Thisevent allowsstudentsto
meet todiscussandeducateon thetopics,
projects,andissueswithin BTN.Scr ubscamp: ScrubsCampisagreat way to
introduceandengagechildren &youth into
thenursingprofession. Stationson hand
washing,vital signs,andcraftsarejust afew
ideasusedat previouscamps.
Mentor /menteepr ogram: The
Mentor/Menteeprogram promotesbonding,
timemanagement skills,leadership,and
providesstudentswith achancetocreatea
relationshipthat allowsgrowth on both ends.
Whether it beamentor shipbetween students,
faculty,or advisors,mentoringisshown tobe
agreat tool for success.
Interested in holding one of these projects?
Email me for more information on how to get
these projects started and what resources
were needed. I look forward to hear from you!
Btndirector@nsnainc.org
Demond Atem, IU South Bend visiting high schools CSU Sacramento's Save-A-Heart CampaignMichigan Student Nurses Association holding their Scrums Camp
To Nursing