Alumni Association

The School of Nursing has approximately 6500 alumni of its undergraduate, graduate and related programs. The Alumni Association holds an annual meeting in the fall, presents merit scholarships each year to undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Nursing, and sponsors other activities to promote relationships among alumni, faculty and students. The Alumni Association and the School jointly publish Carolina Nursing magazine. The Alumni Association sponsors the Alumni Weekend each fall. Nursing alumni are invited to return to Chapel Hill for reunion activities.

Association of Nursing Students (ANS)

ANS is the student nurse's professional organization as the American Nurses' Association is the graduate's professional organization. ANS operates on a local, regional, state and national level. On the local and region level, programs are provided during the year on various subjects of interest to the student nurse. There are opportunities to participate in community health projects that provide a service to the community, as well as a chance for nursing students to utilize and gain knowledge and skills. In addition, ANS encourages student nurses to become involved in legislative activities concerning health care, nursing education and nursing practice. On the state and national levels, annual conventions are held to promote the development of the student nurse as a health professional. Programs are provided that represent fundamental and current professional interests and concerns. Faculty member Lindsay Allen serves as chapter advisor. For more information see the ANS website: http://studentorgs.unc.edu/ans/

Commencement Ceremonies

The School of Nursing holds graduation ceremonies in May and December for baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degree nursing students who have completed their academic programs. These students also may participate in the University's general commencement activities. Only those students having completed all requirements for graduation are permitted to participate in the School of Nursing commencement ceremony. Consult the Student Participation in Commencement Ceremonies [MS Word document] for additional information.

Dean's Student Advisory Council

Representative students from all academic programs meet once each semester with the Administration of the School of Nursing and undertake an active exchange of ideas and information. Each meeting addresses specific agenda items developed by students and administrators relevant to any aspect of student life and learning at the University. The goal is to promote continual improvement in academic programs and the learning environment in the School of Nursing.

Minority Nursing Student Association

The Minority Nursing Student Association provides specific support to ethnic and gender minority students in the School of Nursing. MNSA serves to unite minority nursing students within the School, promote professional growth and development and explore issues that affect minorities. Membership is open to any nursing student interested in minority nursing education and health-care issues specific to underrepresented populations. Students are very active in service projects to the community. Social and professional activities are planned throughout the year.

Sigma Theta Tau International

The Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Inc., the International Honor Society in Nursing, was chartered at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Oct. 5, 1962. The Society recognizes scholarship, leadership, creativity and excellence in the nursing profession. Invitations to membership are extended to selected students in the Undergraduate and Graduate programs, faculty members and graduate nurses with a baccalaureate or higher degree based on academic performance and service to the profession. The Society conducts educational programs, sponsors research activities and awards exemplars of the mission in keeping with its purposes.

Student Health Action Coalition

Nursing students join students from other health affairs schools to serve on the Student Health Action Coalition, an entity devoted to the improvement of healthcare and health education in Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. Faculty and students from the schools of Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Physical Therapy, and Social Work volunteer at a community clinic that delivers efficient effective and care, emphasizing prevention, education and referral to the underserved community free-of-charge. The clinic is open one evening per week and provides students a chance to practice skills, learn in an interdisciplinary environment and gain personal satisfaction by helping the community.

Additionally, students operate Mobile SHAC, a program that provides home care and support for home-bound, under-served citizens. And they are involved in Health for Habitat in which students work with others in the community to constuct at Habitat house and SHAC Outreach which strives to offer health promotion programs in partnership with community agencies.
For more information about SHAC, see http://www.med.unc.edu/shac/.