Tri-County Nursing Instructor Named SNA Faculty Advisor of the Year

CONTACT: JANET FULLER, EXT. 1343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/17/2003
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- A Tri-County Technical College associate degree Nursing instructor was named the State Student Nurses Association's (SNA) Faculty Advisor of the Year and the College's chapter rated the highest percentage increase for state and national membership at the organization's annual convention. Tri-County's chapter garnered 40 percent of the State awards presented at the convention.

Nineteen associate degree Nursing majors and Faculty Advisor Janet Fuller attended the three-day state convention held October 30 - November 1 for nursing students who attend two- and four-year colleges and universities.

Students weren't surprised that Fuller was chosen SNA faculty advisor of the year from the 13 nominations from across the State. This is Fuller's first year as SNA advisor and second as a faculty member at Tri-County. "She is always here for us," said first-year Nursing student Kimberly Owens, who was among those who attended the conference at the Isle of Palms, SC. "She never has told me she doesn't have time even if there are people waiting and her phone is ringing," said Owens.

"She goes above and beyond to help with SNA and the nursing curriculum. She is dedicated to us, and we couldn't do it without her," said Jennifer Day, of Pickens, who won a $500 student excellence scholarship from the National League of Nursing and an all-expense paid trip to the upcoming national meeting. Day is president of Tri-County's SNA chapter.

Fuller has the same admiration for the students. She commended their diligence in increasing SNA chapter membership from 19 to 59 - a whopping 300 percent. Fuller added that students raised $1,100 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by collecting soft drink can tabs at $100 per gallon. They also won the T-shirt design contest at the convention.

"We had a good time and grew closer as a group and SNA executive board, said Day. "We brought good ideas home for future fundraisers and even got job interviews from local hospital personnel who were exhibiting at the conference."

"The convention allows students to learn how to network, and there is a lot of opportunity for leadership on the local and State level," said Fuller, of Seneca. "I'm really proud of our students' professionalism and willingness to get involved. They did us proud."
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