Students are required and/or encouraged to actively participate in college and university organizations.
Conference Attendance
The number of hours the student actually attends the conference will be given for clinical hours. The clinical hour credit is to be divided between clinical courses taught concurrently in eight weeks. Clinical faculty have the discretion to refuse to accept conference hours for clinical. A maximum of 24 hours in a week can be given for clinical credit. Clinical hours may be added to the student experience if clinical outcomes are not met by the student.
USI Association of Nursing Students
A chapter of the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) has been established in the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions. Nursing students enrolled in the program are required to participate in this organization.
The National Student Nurses' Association is the largest independent health professional student organization in the United States. Membership benefits include scholarships, NSNA publications, NCLEX Review Course fee discount, low cost malpractice insurance, participation in local, state and national meetings and projects.
The Indiana Association of Nursing Students (IANS) is the state affiliate to the National Student Nurses' Association. Nursing or pre-nursing students preparing for registered nurse licensure, or registered nurses pursuing a BSN are eligible for membership in National Student Nurses' Association, Indiana Association of Nursing Students, and the University of Southern Indiana Association of Nursing Students (USIANS).
The USIANS elects the following officers: The Board of Directors will consist of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Projects Chairperson, and Newsletter Correspondent, Break-Through to Nursing Chair, and Community Projects Chair during the spring semester. A copy of the minutes and treasurer's report for each Association of Nursing Student Chapter meeting are on file in the College Office and with the Indiana Association of Nursing Students State Board and are available upon request.
All Association of Nursing Students projects must be approved by a University of Southern Indiana Association of Nursing Students advisor. Faculty advisors are approved by the Dean. A copy of the University of Southern Indiana Association of Nursing Students Bylaws is available for review in the College Office. Applications for membership in Indiana Association of Nursing Students and National Student Nurses' Association are available through the Association of Nursing Students Membership Committee or from the Faculty Advisor.
Dean's Student Forum
Interested students, class representatives and the officers of the Association of Nursing Students will meet periodically with the Dean to advise and provide consultation in the development and evaluation of nursing program policies and to promote the general welfare of students.
Program and College Committees
Students are invited to attend and participate in Program and College committee activities. Information about meetings will be communicated.
Omicron Psi Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International
The Omicron Psi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society at the University of Southern Indiana provides leadership and research development for eligible nursing students and professionals. Its purposes are to:
Students who have completed at least one-half of the required baccalaureate nursing courses, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and are in the top 35% of their class are eligible for membership consideration.
Fund Raising and Other College Activities
Student involvement in fund raising or any activities identified with the USI nursing program must have the approval of the Dean of the College. Proposal and final project forms for fund raising and other College activities are available in the Day Learning Resource Center. A formal written plan must be submitted to the Dean's office 30 days prior to implementation of the plan. The proposal must be signed by the organization's faculty advisor before submission to the Dean. Upon completion of the project/activity a final report must be submitted. This information is maintained in a fund raising file to assist students in selecting future projects/activities.
