Student Resources
Graduate Nursing Student Association (GNSA)
The purpose of this association is promote interaction among graduate
nursing students (master's and doctoral), faculty members, alumni, and
the nursing community. The GNSA sponsors activities to enhance professional
growth, provide an atmosphere for the exchange of ideas, facilitate collegiality
among members and faculty, and assist student members by being a source
of information. These objectives are achieved through sponsorship of conferences,
speakers, instructional material, local projects, and through officer and
committee representation on the various committees within the School of
Nursing and the University. All part-time and full-time students are eligible
for the offices of co-chairs, secretary and treasurer. School of Nursing
faculty, curriculum, and student affairs committees, and relevant University
committees have student representatives appointed.
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society/Zeta Mu Chapter-At-Large
The purpose of the society is to recognize superior achievement and the development of leadership qualities, to foster high professional standards, to encourage creative work and to strengthen commitment to the ideals and purpose of the profession. A student is eligible for membership upon completion of half of the BSN and MSN programs, providing the student's GPA is within the acceptable range for membership. Eligibility for graduate students is also dependent on professional involvement and scholarly activity.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School USD Chapter
Started in 1991, IHI’s goal is to improve the lives of patients, the health of communities, and the joy of the health care workforce. These goals are adapted from the Institute of Medicine’s six improvement aims for the health care system – care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Overall, IHI works to improve patient care and health practices on a global level. Specifically, for members of the IHI USD open school chapter, our goal is to improve the health of patients and our community through further education, research, and outreach so as to develop the skills needed in becoming change agents in health care. Membership is free and open to all USD students and faculty with an interest in discussing and learning about healthcare safety and quality.