What are the goals for your term and with whom will you work to achieve them?

During my term, our association will focus on three issues: the image of nursing, violence against women and increasing our membership and visibility.

Concerning nursing image, we will target students of all ages--kindergarten through high school-as well as those seeking a second career. We will encourage local chapters to attend career fairs or visit classrooms to show youngsters the advantages of nursing as a profession.

Our efforts to reduce violence against women will include a statewide cell phone drive. State chapters will contact cell phone companies and hospitals to collect used cell phones. Then those phones will be donated to women's shelters and programmed to dial only 911. The availability of these phones will be a means to protect women and children in abusive relationships.

To increase membership and visibility, each chapter will have membership drives. The ongoing nursing shortage should prompt all student and practicing nurses to affiliate with professional organizations. This is an important way to have a voice as nurses and to stay current on ways to improve work situations and changes in the workplace. Participating in one's professional association is what professional people do.

We also are committed to providing scholarships. To raise this money, we are planning an online auction on eBay.

What is the association doing to address the Texas nursing shortage?

In addition to our outreach to young people, our association has a committee that assists chapters launching shortage-solution projects. We will give out awards to the best projects. We also are offering scholarships to our members so they will stay in school and ultimately become practicing nurses.

To advance the work of the association, what do you say to nurses in Texas?
I commend all working nurses in the state of Texas for choosing nursing as their profession. Nursing is a demanding career, and they are truly special individuals.

To nurses, I say please remember the time when you were in nursing school and how challenging it was to complete. In any way you can, give back to students. Some examples to give back include: Take extra time to be excellent clinical mentors to students on your units. We know how busy you are; nurses who spend time helping students to really know nursing are extra special to us.

Support the TNSA as a subscribing member. Call (800) 221-8559. Offer to speak at our chapter and association organizational meetings and conventions.

This is an excellent way to touch the lives of student nurses.

What are some of the highlights of your college experience?
One highlight is being introduced to the wonderful world of nursing. I want to share my enthusiasm for nursing with others.

[Another highlight is] becoming president of this organization. I am early in my presidency, but the experience is improving my leadership skills. I am already working with our board of directors to implement this year's association plans.

Every minute of hard work has been worth it. There is no greater feeling than being trusted by a group of your peers as an advocate, looking out for their best interests. I do not take this trust lightly, and I intend to work hard during my term to make this organization successful.

The other highlight of my college experience is my school. I applied only to Texas Woman's University and was accepted. The faculty is outstanding. Its support and encouragement allow me to fulfill the duties of my term. I have been truly blessed with this support.

What do you say to young people who are considering nursing as a career?
If nursing interests you, give it serious consideration. Nursing is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling career choices that one can make. But it is not for everyone.

When considering nursing, volunteer at a local hospital to see what a nurse's day is like.

To explore what nursing is all about, talk to as many nurses as possible in many different fields. If you decide to become a nurse, choose the nursing school that best suits you. Decide if you want to be close to home or farther away. Check out the hospitals in the vicinity that are sites for clinical rotations. Attend an orientation for potential students. Speak to the dean, speak to the instructors and, most important, speak to the students.

Nursing students will tell you the truth; they will tell you if they would make the same decision to attend their college. Ultimately, you will find a couple of schools that you really like.

Get involved with your professional organizations. When nurses come together, they can solve problems of nursing today, assuring that all of us have a bright tomorrow.