Dear Gator Nurses,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As we approach the midpoint of the semester, I wanted to take a moment to check in on each of you and offer some words of encouragement.

First and foremost, I want to wish you all the very best on your upcoming exams. I know this time of the semester can be stressful and overwhelming. But remember that you have the knowledge, skills and determination to succeed. Trust in your abilities and stay confident. Additionally, if you find yourself struggling, do not hesitate to reach out to your peers or faculty for help. Everyone is there to support you and there are many resources available to help you navigate any academic or personal challenges you might face.

Just remember, you are not alone on this journey. Keep up the great work, stay focused and take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Take breaks, get enough rest and lean on your support system when you need it. We are all in this together!

Best regards,

Samantha Paulen, TBSN 2024
UF Student Nursing Association (UFSNA) Vice President

Our first General Body Meeting was on Sept. 13. We heard Zulma Y Santiago Zayas discuss the barriers that the deaf community faces while receiving health care. After her presentation, a discussion about ways clinicians can help meet their needs was held. It was a successful first meeting and we cannot wait for our October GBM. Keep a lookout for when it will be and who will be speaking! We can’t wait to see you there!

Do you want to get involved in Nurses Leading Change? NLC has a variety of committees, including outreach, platform, freedom writers, health education and the policy and law-making committees.

These committees are a great way to become involved in both our club and the community! We are also planning some up-and-coming events in the community with organizations like Grace Marketplace, St. Francis House, and Arbor House here in Gainesville. Keep a lookout for these events on our Instagram and in our GroupMe!

Last month, the UF Student Nursing Association (UFSNA) held our first GBM and we had an absolutely phenomenal turnout. We were so excited to see all our members, past and present, support us. Thank you to all our guest speakers who spoke about their summer internships!

This month UFSNA GBM will be held Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. in HPNP Room
G-301. We will be hosting one of our very own College of Nursing faculty members, Dr. Karen Reed. She is very excited to present her Fulbright Scholarship experience from this summer. We look forward to having her and seeing everyone there.

Traditional BSN student Maresa McNeill is paving the way for two generations of Gator Nurses! Learn how she is studying to become a nurse, alongside her 14-year-old daughter Santana, in this Q&A.