CCNW 43rd Annual RN Student Day
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KEYNOTE: THE POWER OF NURSING
The 2023 RN Student Day was held in person to prepare seniors to transition into the healthcare workforce. Over 900 graduating RN students attended at the Aqua Turf on November 7, 2023.
Our comprehensive event offers RN students the opportunity for collaboration and professional development. Students network with healthcare organizations related to employment opportunities, education institutions related to continued education, and network with their peers to positively position themselves for a successful career in nursing. This day was planned especially for the graduating RN Student! The full-day event providing breakfast and a sit-down lunch offered RN students the opportunity for professional development and networking to positively position themselves for a successful career in nursing! THE DAY INCLUDED
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Keynote Speaker
Rebecca Love, RN, BS, MSN, FIELKEYNOTE: THE POWER OF NURSING
Rebecca Love, RN, BS, MSN, FIEL is an experienced nurse executive and first nurse featured on Ted.com, and she is recognized as one of Modern Healthcare's most influential people in healthcare in 2022.
Rebecca serves as Commissioner for The Commission for Nurse Reimbursement & President Emeritus, SONSIEL. As Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Commission for Nursing Reimbursement, she and the Commission are working to respond to the nationwide concerns of nurse staffing shortages. Rebecca is passionate about empowering nurses and creating communities to help nurses innovate, create, and collaborate to start businesses and innovations to transform healthcare. Rebecca was the first Director of Nurse Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the United States at Northeastern School of Nursing – the founding initiative in the Country designed to empower nurses as innovators and entrepreneurs, where she founded the Nurse Hackathon, the movement has led to transformational change in the Nursing Profession. In early 2019, Rebecca, along with a group of leading nurses in the world, founded and is President of SONSIEL: The Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders, a non-profit that quickly attained recognition by the United Nations as an Affiliate Member to the UN. Rebecca is an experienced Nurse Entrepreneur, founding HireNurses.com in 2013 which was acquired in 2018 by Ryalto, LTD UK, where she served as the Managing Director of US Markets, until it’s acquisition in 2019. Rebecca holds a M.S. in Nursing from Northeastern University, B.A. in International Relations/Spanish from Boston University, an, sits on the board of NextGen Ventures, Health Science Entrepreneurs at Northeastern University & the Host Committee for the Massachusetts ACLU. |
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Peer Recognition & Faculty Mentor Ceremony
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Capital Community College
Awardee: Karen Haslam Faculty Mentor: Nicole Gomez "Professor Gomez is an incredible clinical instructor. She has challenged me to think critically in ways that I know will help me to be a better nurse in the future. When I see how she interacts with patients and their families, I am reminded of what kind of nurse I want to be. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be one of her clinical students!" |
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Central Connecticut State University
Awardee: Miriam Lopez-Cruz Faculty Mentor: Jacqueline Cantor "I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Jacqueline Cantor for wholeheartedly providing her knowledge and expertise to me while in clinical and in class. Her sincerity and dedication to her students and practice impacted me in the greatest manner; allowing me to express my worries feeling safe and heard. Dr. Cantor's gentleness as a professor allowed me to gain confidence in communication. Thank you for everything you have done for me and the other students." |
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Fairfield University – Accelerated Program
Awardee: Argenis Rodriquez Faculty Mentor: Erica Wuchiski "Professor Wuchiski is a main reason I’m standing here today with you all. Without her encouragement, support, and guidance, I may not have continued in the program. I was always going to her, being afraid I wouldn’t pass her course and with test anxiety. As a perfectionist, although I have gone through multiple years of schooling, I have always struggled with the confidence that I could do the work. Professor Wuchiski always had the proper words of encouragement to help me stay focused and driven to reach my goal of graduating from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I can attest that I am not the only student she has impacted with her words of wisdom and support. I speak for all my classmates. Professor Wuchiski is well-liked, respected, and most appreciated for her dedication to her students. Thank you, Professor Wuchiski!" |
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Fairfield University – Traditional Program
Awardee: Lauren Basso Faculty Mentor: Linda Roney "Dr. Roney is not only an incredible professor, but a kind and compassionate person who connects with her students on a personal level. While having her as a professor, she would often check in on how we were doing and would direct us to utilize resources when feeling overwhelmed. This was beyond helpful to my nursing school experience!" |
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Fairfield University – Traditional Program
Awardee: Alyssa Nadeau Faculty Mentor: Laura Conklin "Professor Conklin is one of the most supportive professors I have had throughout my nursing education. She cares so much about the success of each individual student and is willing to go above and beyond to teach and demonstrate the material we are learning. Every time I see Professor Conklin out of class, even through I don’t have her as an instructor currently, she always strikes conversation and makes sure that I am doing well. I appreciate all that she has done for me." |
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Gateway Community College
Awardee: Annie Colman Faculty Mentor: Sue DeBarge "Professor DeBarge: Does she actually sleep or is she really a special superhuman that can go without it? The students' first encounter (after months of electronic communication) is more than face-to-face connection. Before any introduction has passed, she has greeted you by full name. She recognizes you and remembers you. In taking on roles beyond the classroom, she encourages student success and always presents herself with kindness. She has all the answers, never turns you away, and will always ask, "How can I help?" She's our very own Max Goodwin and propels us above our own limitations. We are fortunate to have her. I do not think it is remiss to classify her as superhuman, and if she does sleep, she goes home having earned it." |
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Naugatuck Valley Community College
Awardee: Neil Pace Faculty Mentor: Kristine Kelley "Professor Kelley is highly dependable, honest, and knowledgeable. These three key components have created a positive learning environment that has proven to be successful time and time again. Not only is she helping shape myself and my peers into the best nurses of our abilities, but she also taught my mother who is now a very successful nurse! Professor Kelley shows us the enjoyment and satisfaction of helping others whether it be a client, a peer, or a student. She challenges us to be better nurses and uses our mistakes as a chance to grow. We have all grown in one way or another from under the wings of Professor Kelley and she inspires us to continue down the rough and rocky road that nursing school is. I am honored to give some appreciation for Professor Kelley who continues to bring out the best in each and every student. |
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Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Awardee: Regina Audia Faculty Mentor: Nicole Cesarek "Nicole has not only been my nursing instructor in the classroom, but she is currently my clinical instructor as well. I’m grateful for the wonderful instructor that she is and all that I have learned and continue to learn from her. I love her teaching style, she is well organized, informational and presents her content in a way that works for me (my best test scores are her content). Nicole will answer any of your questions, but not before making you critically think and try to answer them yourself first. That is something I find beneficial because even if I am wrong, she is testing my brain. It is with her knowledge, guidance and support that on those hard days when I am doubting myself, she reassures me that I have what it takes to become a great nurse." |
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Norwalk Community College
Awardee: Jodi Colucci Faculty Mentor: Brenda Hooper "I am blessed to be enrolled as a student in the NCC program. Professor Brenda Hooper is the faculty member who has had the most profound influence on my academic, professional, and personal growth alike. The unfolding of current events has shed light on our need for kindness now more than ever. Mrs. Hooper not only embodies compassion and caring but adds to it her knowledge, clinical expertise and educational background and makes her the nurse we would all want caring for us at the bedside. I had the good fortune to begin nursing school with Professor Hooper as one of my first lecturers, as well as my clinical instructor who gave me my very first experience in a hospital setting. Mrs. Hooper's style makes learning come alive. The lessons that she instilled in me will continue throughout my nursing school journey and beyond." |
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Quinnipiac University School of Nursing – Accelerated Program
Awardee: Monica Singh Faculty Mentor: Tyler Traister "I am thankful that Professor Traister moved to Connecticut and joined Quinnipiac because he brought his love for nursing with him to share with all of us. His energy and enthusiasm help me stay engaged in the material as well as to understand it better through the relevant personal nursing experiences he shares with us. He also inspires me to remember to be open and listen to others because he is willing to listen to me and other students and make adjustments to enhance our learning. Like many of us, I am nervous to just be my genuine self, but Professor Traister steps up and is a role model for being comfortable as who we each are." |
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Quinnipiac University School of Nursing – Traditional Program
Awardee: Joshua Zuniga Faculty Mentor: Erica Rizzo "Professor Rizzo has been the greatest mentor any Quinnipiac Student can come across. She is always paying attention to even the smallest of details from her students to be able to get to know us better and provide individualized support for each of her students. Professor Rizzo is an exemplar faculty member and always just and fair with anything you present to her. She offers a realistic point of view without disregarding your goals and ambitions. Professor Rizzo has helped me overcome my health problems that were hindering my education by giving me much needed compassion and motivation. I keep her words in the back of my head at every class or clinical rotation to keep me pushing through the day. It’s a comfort to know that someone, apart from family, is looking forward to my success and seeing me walk down the graduation stage as I embark on the nursing journey." |
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Sacred Heart University’s Davis & Henley College of Nursing
Awardee: Rebecca Oswald Faculty Mentor: Kim Foito "I would like to nominate Professor Foito for this award as she has made an instrumental impact on my nursing journey at SHU. Not only as a faculty for pediatrics, but as an advisor for our SNA chapter. It is evident that she provides a caring nature for all of her students as well as an amazing support system. I had the honor of going on a clinical immersion trip with her and the knowledge she had about the Guatemalan community and her empathy for everyone is incredible. I am honored to have Professor Foito as a faculty at SHU." |
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St. Vincent’s College, Sacred Heart University
Awardee: Sherica Mullings Faculty Mentor: Beth Lucca Professor Lucca has expanded my knowledge on nursing, “ABC guys!!!” She goes the extra mile providing plenty of resources for every learning style making my academic journey a better experience. My classmates will agree that she is firm but fair. Her ED experience stories that she shares aligns with my career goals of becoming a future ED nurse. As my advisor, Professor Lucca is very big on setting goals and providing clarity on how to achieve these goals. Professor Lucca’s encouragement is not just limited to the classroom or academics, she is very big on taking care of yourself because as nursing students we often neglect ourselves to care for others. Professor Lucca exemplifies what a mentor and advisor should be - caring, understanding and passionate about her role in molding me as a future RN." |
Taylor was unable to attend, Faculty Mentor Carrie Michalski accepted the award on her behalf.
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Southern Connecticut State University School of Nursing Accelerated Program
Awardee: Taylor D’Amato Faculty Mentor: Carrie Michalski "Professor Michalski has been so amazing and supportive to me since the beginning of the program. She’s offered me a lot of valuable advice and has listened to me when I had issues both academically and in my personal life. She has been a great role model and I’m so lucky I was able to study under her as the head of our accelerated nursing program. |
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Southern Connecticut State University School of Nursing Traditional Program
Awardee: Amy Mastrobuono Faculty Mentor: Antoinette Towle "Professor Towle always demonstrated respect, care and compassion toward all students. She inspired me to develop the traits that helped me to win this award, and her engagement inspired me to be a more caring classmate and nurse. I never felt that Professor Towle saw us as beneath her, but as equals when in class. Her class was always fun, engaging and she was always willing to accommodate us when we needed further assistance. I found Professor Towle to be extremely passionate about every student succeeding. |
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University of Bridgeport – Accelerated Program
Awardee: Nicholas Perrelli Faculty Mentor: Susan Evancho "Over the summer, Dr. Sue filled in as our med-surg professor on short notice. She brought so much enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge to the classroom, along with a safe learning environment. I was fortunate to get the experience with her in the clinical setting as well. To witness her 41 years of nursing practice in action was priceless. Dr. Sue exhibits nothing but the best care for her patients and has impacted countless nursing students throughout her career. It’s safe to say she has been a blessing to the nursing profession." |
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University of Bridgeport – Traditional Program
Awardee: Tierra Garvin Faculty Mentor: Corrine Lee "Dr. Lee positively impacted my nursing education journey in various ways. She is someone I highly respect and look up to. While at UB, she held the best interests of the nursing students at heart. She was an advocate for the nursing students of UB. With genuine concern, she took time every class to hear us out and acted as a liaison between us nursing students and the administrators, often helping us to find solutions. In addition, she fostered us to think outside of the box while always supporting and encouraging us to do our best." |
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UCONN School of Nursing – Traditional Program
Awardee: Samantha Price Faculty Mentor: Carrie Eaton "Dr. Carrie Eaton is one of the most dedicated and passionate educators I have ever had the pleasure to work with as an undergraduate student. She is committed to both her students and career; she is a true master of her craft. Dr. Eaton has not only been a huge supporter of my academic and occupational endeavors, but she has also made a positive impact on my life as a whole. Thank you, Dr. Eaton!!" |
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UCONN School of Nursing – CEIN Program Avery Point Campus
Awardee: Isabel Poole Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Kobelski "Kimberly has demonstrated the core values of what it is to be a nurse and represents an amazing nursing role model; she is kind and respectful to all patients; she doesn't hesitate to advocate for patients; and she is constantly continuing her education. If I were to ask her a question that she didn't know the answer to, she would be sure to find out the answer and learn with me." |
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UCONN School of Nursing – CEIN Program Stamford Campus
Awardee: Nakeisha Carrington Faculty Mentor: Christina McElroy "Christina is by far the best example of what faculty should be. Fair, kind, knowledgeable and loves what she does. From day one, Christina has been a soundboard of wisdom in our accelerated program. I wish I could duplicate Christina, she's one of the best instructors I've ever had. She was my Guardian Angel, and I wouldn't have made it without her." |
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UCONN School of Nursing – CEIN Program Storrs Campus
Awardee: Kelley Pellegatto Faculty Mentor: Hsinfen Tu "Hsinfen was my favorite clinical instructor all year. I was lucky enough to be with her for Spring and Fall semesters at Hartford Hospital. She is so knowledgeable and pushes you to do your best. We learned so much, got to see and do a lot, and really gained confidence in our nursing skills. I will never forget our time together. Thank you for all that you have taught me!" |
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UCONN School of Nursing – CEIN Program Waterbury Campus
Awardee: Karen Rolland Faculty Mentor: Melissa Rembish "From the first day I met her at orientation, Melissa has been a driving force in my progress through this program. Starting this program with three small kids was daunting, but Melissa (who also has a large family and is in school) really helped me see that I could make it through. Melissa has always been available to answer questions, whether they are related to a course or just when I need general advice as I navigate this new career path. Even though I know she is busy with her own life, she is always quick to respond and always able to put my mind at ease. She is really an asset to this crazy program we signed up for and I'm not sure I could have made it through without her." |
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University of Hartford
Awardee: Jennifer Martin Faculty Mentor: Susan Jones "Professor Jones has been a huge support from day one of sophomore year. She has always made time to listen and guide me throughout the program. She challenges me to grow in my learning while getting used to being comfortable with the uncomfortable. Navigating the simulation lab can be challenging and Professor Jones always takes the time to provide feedback and encouragement. This has truly helped shape who I am as a student nurse and prepared me for situations I may face in practice." |
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University of Saint Joseph
Awardee: Nayeli Torres Faculty Mentor: Heather Mangino "Dr. Mangino has been one of my advisors for a little over a year. She always listens to me when I have any concerns, gives me great advice, and even has provided many helpful resources to better myself or to reach my areas of interest. Overall, she is such a nice and easily approachable person when you need help!" |
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Western Connecticut State University
Awardee: Alexander Mars Faculty Mentor: Eileen Campbell "Dr. Campbell is truly one of the most wonderful teachers I have ever had. She has so much passion for nursing and her love for it spreads to her students. Her passion is contagious, and she pushes all her students toward greatness. She is a wonderful professor and an even more wonderful person!" |
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Three Rivers Community College
Awardee: Tammy Howe Faculty Mentor: Stephanie Geer "Stephanie was my third semester clinical instructor and was the absolute best! Not only is she brilliant and an excellent nurse, but she empowered me to never doubt myself and praised my clinical judgement. She made me feel comfortable and confident in the care I was providing while still allowing me to learn." |
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Highlights from 2022 RN Student Day
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RN Student Peer Recognition & Faculty Award Celebration
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Keynote Session, Day One. Justin Drew, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
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Keynote Session, Day Two. Janice Watts, MSN
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