The new Doctoral Nursing Student Organization (DNSO) at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing provides a forum for doctoral students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) in Nursing programs (as well as one student finishing the Doctor of Nursing Science program) to share research and scholarship, interact and support one other, connect with faculty and establish open communication with School of Nursing administrators.
After encountering some pandemic-related obstacles, the DNSO officially launched in fall 2022 and this past September became a recognized student organization at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans. As of October 2022, there are 240 doctoral students, and all are members of DNSO.
The goals of the DNSO-LSUHSC-NO are:
- To contribute to the School of Nursing mission and strategic initiatives
- To utilize School of Nursing core values
- To facilitate communication among doctoral students through formal and informal meetings
- To promote socialization of doctoral students as doctoral nursing scholars
- To promote positive change and a healthy school culture and climate
- To implement a doctoral student mentoring network and other programs that support doctoral students’ personal and professional growth as scholars
The officers of the DNSO Board of Directors plan to develop fundraisers for the benefit of underserved communities and to coordinate a doctoral student communication board that will promote interprofessional networking and support for fellow students through shared resources and suggestions for promoting positive change. Recently, the School of Nursing contracted Knack Technologies, a peer-to-peer tutoring platform that offers incentive pay for students who complete the required certification, to tutor students needing support in their course work. The DNSO will assist in communicating this excellent opportunity and resource for student success.
DNSO officers have planned the organization’s first event, a campus “Socksgiving” Drive that will take place throughout November. The DNSO’s goal is to gather 200 pairs of new socks by the end of November to offer some warmth and comfort to community members in need.
“It is important to all of us that we become known as an organization that exemplifies the School of Nursing’s mission and prioritizes the needs of our fellow doctoral students,” says DNSO President Ken-‘Ja Seals, SRNA, BSN, RN, CCRN. “By providing assistance and sharing available resources, we will promote success for all doctoral students. We also hope to make a lasting impact on the community we serve by leading donation drives, fundraisers and community outreach activities.”
Meet the Officers
President Ken-‘Ja Seals, SRNA, BSN, RN, CCRN
I decided to get involved in DNSO to help foster an inclusive experience for graduate nurses. I believe through DNSO we can create an environment that promotes interprofessional networking, knowledge sharing and support. I also want to ensure graduate students are aware of the resources and support available to enhance their educational experience.”
Vice President Julienne Koehler
“I believe trans-specialty communication is essential to providing the best possible care to our patients. I hope for the DNSO to be a resource that helps translate our research findings and passion projects between specialties that often have little face-to-face interaction on campus. Implementing protocols and best practices designed by fellow LSU Health students not only bolsters the university’s position as a robust academic facility but also builds feelings of pride across disciplines.”
Secretary/Historian Michelle Hoskins
“I joined the DNSO Board of Directors to help lead our doctoral students through engagement and activities that will help us become more united so we can make a difference collectively in our community.”
Treasurer Christina Petkovich, BSN, RN, CCRN
“I joined the DNSO Board of Directors to lead initiatives that will encourage the doctoral students at LSUHSC to form relationships with each other that will cultivate educational growth and achievement. It is also important to me to provide support to fellow students, the community and the LSUHSC organization by implementing programs that are conducive to both personal and professional success.”
