3 Reasons Why You Should Get Involved on Campus

Getting involved in extracurricular activities while in nursing school can help you expand your experience, make new friends and create professional connections.

Nelly Coto, BSN, RN and graduate from Chamberlain’s Houston campus, knows this firsthand. She was involved in a number of extracurricular activities and groups that positively impacted her growth as a student. “Getting involved was great,” said Coto. “It let me dive right into all things nursing and really helped me immerse myself in what it meant to be a nurse.”

Below are three reasons you should get involved — and how it helped prepare Nelly Coto to become the nurse she is today.

1. Make professional connections

Getting involved with groups like the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) provides educational resources, leadership opportunities, and career guidance. Participation in the national group includes membership at both the state and local levels. Connecting to the NSNA’s expansive network of members offers students a great opportunity to make professional connections when embarking on their career after graduation.

Coto didn’t wait long to get involved once she started her education. “As soon as I learned about the NSNA and all the benefits they offered students, I knew immediately I wanted to sign up,” Coto said. She discovered that NSNA also mentors the professional development of future registered nurses, provides discounts on school supplies and shares notifications on available nursing scholarships. “It really changes a student’s life,” she said.

2.  Gain real-world experience

Getting involved in your community is a great way to make real-world connections when you’re just starting out in your career. Being ready to volunteer your services to help others will also show prospective employers that you take initiative when it comes to your work.

As her nursing college experience progressed, Coto got involved with the Houston Department of Health and Human Services. She took part in a program where students interacted with people in the community who had chronic health conditions.

“I helped a group of 15 women who each suffered from some type of diabetes,” Coto said. “We would meet with them and discuss steps they could take to not only improve their physical health, but their emotional and spiritual health as well.”

Coto credits her professors with sharing this option for getting involved in the community. “It’s very awesome that there is that opportunity to give back,” she said. “And my experiences with the department really helped to prepare me for the realities of nursing.”

3.  Help future nurses

Volunteering to help with school activities will put you in touch with more of your classmates and teachers, and can give you the chance to mentor future nurses who are faced with the same questions you once had.

During her time on campus, Coto volunteered for Chamberlain open house events. She met with prospective students and shared her first-hand experiences with them.

“I’d talk with them about how Chamberlain works,” Coto said. “Many questions focused on how the classes were and what it’s like to be in class for just eight weeks. It was great to be able to help other students figure out how to get started.”

After completing her nursing degree at Chamberlain, Coto began working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. She said her extra involvement has positively impacted her foray into the real world. “My experiences taught me to be more outspoken, more confident and to believe in myself.”

Earn Your Nursing Degree at Chamberlain University

If you’re considering a nursing degree and know that you’d like to be involved in a variety of activities during your time as a student, Chamberlain has plenty of opportunities to help you shine. 

Chamberlain University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed to accommodate a variety of lifestyles. The program offers flexible learning options, including campus-based, hybrid, and an online option that includes online coursework and engaging clinical experiences. Evening and weekend classes are available at select campuses, including Houston, and help ensure that you can balance your education with your personal and professional responsibilities. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the BSN program upholds the highest standards of education, preparing you to excel in the dynamic and demanding healthcare industry.

At Chamberlain, your success is our top priority. You will have access to a wealth of resources, including professional and peer nurse tutors, engaged faculty, and even comprehensive NCLEX prep tools. Hands-on simulation labs and clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings offer practical, real-world training. 

Join a vibrant community of passionate learners and dedicated educators. Reach out to us by calling 877-751-5783 or requesting information online.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 130 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

By Chamberlain University