Future BYU SNA president Jessica Daynes (fifth from the right) worked hard with her team to make the USNA Conference on Saturday a success. Photo courtesy of SNA publicity director Kami Christiansen.
By Quincey Taylor
On February 15, 2020, nursing professionals came together to educate and connect with the next generation of nurses. At the Utah Student Nurses Association 68th Annual Convention, students learned why nursing truly is a work of heart.
Attendees had the chance to choose from a plenitude of breakout sessions to hear about a variety of topics, from opioid usage to LGBTQ+ nursing to labor and delivery. Three BYU faculty members had the chance to speak. Associate teaching professor Dr. Craig Nuttall spoke about altitude sickness, assistant teaching professor Scott Summers covered hypothermia and heat illnesses, and assistant teaching professor Dr. Noreen Oeding delved into neonatal nursing. Each one spoke with passion and a conviction for their topics.
Everyone was excited to hear from this year’s speakers. Photo courtesy of Christiansen.
Next year’s BYU SNA president Jessica Daynes said about the experience, “It was a great opportunity for nursing students and pre-nursing students to network with other professionals. A chance to meet other nursing students from outside of Utah is super useful. Once I graduate, I will be able to go to come of my friends I made at these conventions and open up a lot of opportunities.”
The keynote speaker was Joan Otten, who has dedicated her life to preventing child abuse. She shared the touching story of her granddaughter who was a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. This tragedy was the spark that motivated Otten to participate in local legislature, eventually passing Miley’s Law in 2017. This law resulted in the creation of the Utah Child Abuse Registry, which would allow parents and guardians to make informed decisions about who spends time with their children. Daynes remarks, “It definitely got the tears flowing.”
Daynes looks forward to next year’s events. It should be an exciting time for SNA. Photo courtesy of Christiansen.
Daynes is excited to continue working with SNA next year and to continue to create other unforgettable experiences. Her and her board members have many exciting plans for the future. She says, “It’s going to take work, but I’m ready to do my best.”
BYU College of Nursing 