Meet the 2021-2022 Nursing Student Organization Presidents

Here at UB School of Nursing, we have three nursing student organizations: the Multicultural Nursing Student Organization (MNSA), Undergraduate Nursing Student Organization (NSO) and Graduate Nurse Organization (GNO).

We spoke with each organization’s president to discuss the purpose of each organization and their leadership goals for the school year.

The purpose of the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) is to aid in the preparation of nursing students for professional responsibilities on a school and community level and to provide unity and support for students. The NSO represents all undergraduate nursing students and is the main channel of communication between administration and students. The organization's primary objective is to determine and meet student needs, including aiding in learning and educational endeavors, thus providing an effective and meaningful communication network between the students and faculty members. The NSO is the students' primary contact in pursuing any issues which are of individual or group importance. 

“I have always wanted to go into a profession where I was able to have a lasting impact on others. My own experiences have influenced my passion to help others and to want to become a registered nurse and to hopefully pursue further education.” 

“I wanted to provide both traditional and accelerated nursing students with an organization that was willing to be helpful and promote support for one another in our journey through nursing school by providing experiences and other opportunities for all students willing to participate.” 

“I hope to support students with their endeavors in nursing and to be the main form of communication between the students and professors while providing other opportunities for students to succeed and enjoy their time being a part of UB School of Nursing.” 

“All nursing students are part of the NSO when they are fully enrolled in the School of Nursing. Students can become involved by attending any events offered by the NSO and participating in fundraisers and other occasions. NSO meets when there are events and other matters that need to be covered with the rest of the students to keep them aware of what to expect from each semester.”

Want to learn more about the NSO? Email Josh Welch.

The Multicultural Nursing Student Association (MNSA) is a student-run organization that seeks to promote diversity throughout the undergraduate nursing student body. Our ultimate goal is to prepare students to tackle the essential concept of providing culturally sensitive nursing care. As nurses, we are called upon to treat and diagnose the human response to illness. The human response is greatly affected by the patient's culture, which comprises a wealth of components including family interactions, religious beliefs, upbringing, individual health perceptions and personal life experiences. Each individual has a unique culture that must be assessed by the nurse in order to provide competent, quality, holistic care. 

"Nursing is a rewarding and meaningful profession that encourages me to continuously take steps beyond my comfort zone, thus promoting my proliferation as an individual and caregiver. Whether it be playing a role in improving a patient's health status and overall wellbeing or just being there for an individual, the thought of benefiting someone is a reward that will motivate me to look forward to my job each and every day. As a dynamic field dedicated to the patient, this career challenges me to learn something new each day, stimulating my interests and broadening my perspective as a health care professional.” 

"Aiming to serve as an agent of change and role model for my classmates, I would like to continue taking on challenges that are beyond my comfort zone while implementing an atmosphere centered on improving the quality of nursing education, addressing the pervasive inequities in health care, and enhancing the civic readiness and engagement potential of nursing students.” 

"At the School of Nursing, I would like to enhance the understanding and awareness of the needs and concerns of all nursing students by facilitating safe spaces for individuals to communicate with one another and voice support for each other throughout the challenges posed during our undergraduate nursing education. Especially with the recent happenings in society, students must be provided opportunities to reflect on these events and on their feelings of such with respect granted from the individuals they are surrounded by. By acknowledging and appreciating the existence of differences among the attitudes, beliefs, thoughts and priorities of others, nursing students are better nurtured to adopt cultural competence within their future practices. 

With such limited interaction within the Class of 2022 due to the unanticipated events of the past 18 months as well as the university's proposition to return to in-person instruction for the Fall 2021 semester, I would like to introduce various opportunities for my classmates and me to develop relationships with one another, so as to promote a collaborative and supportive class network leading up to and following graduation. 

Incorporating MNSA's values of diversity, inclusion, and culturally sensitive nursing care, I would like to further maximize learning opportunities and fulfilling health experiences for students by planning a mission trip or relief travel program to a less-developed country or remote area, seeking out various organizations in the Buffalo area to partner with for community involvement and service, providing educational and interactive workshops for students to improve their cultural awareness and knowledge of disparities existent within the area and in the health care field, and organizing fundraising events to support a local cause and enhance the health and wellbeing of a community population.” 

“Membership in the MNSA is open to all students of all backgrounds. Updates and meeting times will be shared on our UBLinked page and the NSO/MNSA course page on UBLearns, which all UB School of Nursing students have access to. Depending on university-wide guidelines along with the guidelines established by the CDC, meetings will either be virtual or in-person this upcoming year. The club is hoping to meet at least once a month. Active members must obtain at least three attended recordings in the form of meetings, events or community services in a given academic semester.”

Want to learn more about the MNSA? Email Angelique Lapitan.

The Graduate Nurse Organization (GNO) was established to enrich graduate nursing students’ educational and social growth and to facilitate communication, thereby establishing identity of the student as a part of the total University community. 

“As president of the Graduate Nursing Organization, my goals align with the goals of nursing, primarily advocacy. My focus is advocating for current graduate nurses and the Buffalo community. The GNO wants to enhance the graduate nursing experience at UB while volunteering our time and resources to bolstering the surrounding community.” 

“All matriculated students in a Graduate Nursing Program at the University at Buffalo are automatically members of the GNO, so we encourage all to attend our meetings. Last year we spearheaded various campaigns and initiatives to support students in developing their clinical skills. With more in attendance, we can better tailor our events and advance our efforts. The GNO generally meets bi-monthly in the evening. Meetings are announced by email at least a week in advance.” 

Want to learn more about the GNO? Email Hanny Ogbebor.