For the first time, students from the Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) chapter of the National Student Nursing Association (NSNA) brought home national awards from the association’s annual convention, held earlier this month in Dallas, Texas.
“We are so proud of our students for winning these prestigious awards,” said Dr. Diane White, dean of the School of Health Sciences. “We are especially proud that despite the fact that ours is one of the newest nursing programs in the country, having been established in 2014, GGC swept more national distinctions than any other participating institution.”
Graduating senior Caroline Nappo received the Ambassador Award in recognition of her excellence in leadership, involvement and embodiment of the core values of NSNA.
“‘Nursing as Caring’ is the model on which GGC’s nursing program is based and it is a principle that I apply to everything that I do for the community,” said Nappo. “Winning the Ambassador Award is truly a testament to the dedicated faculty who set the bar high for their students and accept nothing less than excellence.”
Nappo volunteers at a local emergency shelter for homeless single women and children and she advocates for the protection of the privacy of registered nurses.
Georgia Gwinnett nursing students’ interactions with legislators about health and human services bills affecting their local communities landed GGC’s NSNA chapter the Legislative/Education Award. The students’ elementary school initiative to teach young students about safety, hygiene and the nursing profession received the Empowering Resolutions Award for promoting the advancement of NSNA resolutions.
“Two of GGC’s four pillars are leadership and service, which are qualities and skills we seek to instill in our students so they can become engaged citizens,” said White. “It is particularly meaningful for our students to have received national recognition for their efforts in these areas.”
The nursing program at GGC takes a holistic approach to nursing education that prepares health care leaders to manage care and promote positive transformations for the health of individuals, families, communities and the profession. For more information about the program, visit www.ggc.edu/nursing.
