ABOUT
The Nebraska State Student Nurses Association (NSSNA) is a statewide organization for student nurses in Nebraska and is a constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA).
NSSNA is independently organized and governed by Nebraska nursing students. In 2019, there were over 2000 members whose membership came from nursing programs throughout the state.
Founded in 1952, NSSNA is an organization for students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate and diploma nursing programs. It is dedicated to fostering the leadership and professional development of nursing students.
NSSNA's Board is made up of 11 nursing students who are elected at the organization's annual convention, one non-voting consultant and one non-voting student advisor who are appointed by the Nebraska Student Nurses Association to provide guidance to the association.
Over 100 nursing students participate in NSSNA's Annual Convention, which gives Nebraska nursing students the opportunity to hear well-known speakers, discuss trends and issues relevant to nursing today, learn about leadership, nurse specialties and career development activities. In addition, there is a mini NCLEX review and opportunities to network with other students from across Nebraska and the region. Panels, exhibits, education sessions and fun events round out a conference designed to help students prepare for their careers as professional nurses.
OUR 2022 - 2023 Board
BAILEY OETKEN
President
Bailey Oetken is a second-year nursing student for the RN program at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska. She is expected to graduate in May of 2023 with her Associates of Nursing Degree. Bailey grew up helping her grandparents and taking care of them at home which first stemmed her interest in the nursing field. Bailey has always wanted to go into nursing as she wants to help people and has always been fascinated by the medical and science community. Bailey has worked as a CNA/CMA for about 4 years now and her plans after nursing school include transferring and continuing her degree to obtain her BSN. This is her second year as a member of the NSSNA Board and her first year as the President of it. She has helped the board by assisting in planning the state convention for the year, delegating tasks, planning meetings by creating the agendas, and has reached out to several people to try and help the convention go well and to promote their association. Some things Bailey enjoys outside of the classroom and board is art, music, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Bailey's goal while being in the position of President was to communicate well with her fellow board members, assist in any way she can, delegate and lead to the best of her abilities, and to help plan a great state convention for 2023. Bailey is honored to have the opportunity to be the President for the 2022-2023 board and is looking forward to this upcoming convention.
HOLLIANNA WATSON
First Vice President
My name is Hollianna Watson and I have served as the First Vice President on the NSSNA board for the 2022-23 year. This is my second year on the board, as I previously served as the Image of Nursing Director. I am currently a junior in the BSN program at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition to my board position, I am also a member of Delta Zeta sorority and other clubs on my campus. I grew up on a ranch outside of Tryon, Nebraska and attended McPherson County High School. I have always been interested in serving others through nursing. Throughout high school, I worked as a CNA at a long-term care facility in the memory support unit. Since I have left my hometown to attend college, I have worked as a CNA in home health and am now currently working at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. Following graduation, I hope to work as a labor and delivery nurse. I have greatly enjoyed my time on the board and getting to know the other members. Throughout the year, I have helped plan convention, reach out to speakers, venues, and sponsors, and assisted with other tasks that were delegated by the president. I have grown to understand how to conduct professional business and build up my communication and teamwork skills. Being on the board has been an experience that has helped me grow, learn, and connect with others. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have served on the board and I am excited to see where the future of the Nebraska State Student Nurses Association goes.
SAVANAH TILLE
Second Vice President
Savanah Tille is a first-year at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska. She will be graduating in May of 2023 with her Associates Degree in Nursing. Savanah grew up in Ogallala, Nebraska, with three younger siblings. Her younger siblings had helped her find her passion in caring for others and have helped motivate her through her schooling. She received her CNA in 2020, and then her Med Aide in 2021, and currently works as often as possible in a Nursing Facility. After graduation, Savanah would like to gain experience working in a rural hospital and continue with her education to receive a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Savanah's end goal of nursing is to work in Oncology as a Chemotherapy Nurse. She is excited to work with her current board members and serve her community however she can for the 2022-2023 term.
SARA SPEEDY
Treasurer
Sara Speedy is a junior (3rd year) at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is expected to graduate in May of 2023. She will graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Sara wants to get some experience working on the floor, and then become a travel nurse. Sara is originally from Dillon, Colorado. Outside of school, she enjoys camping, hiking, skiing, and being outside in the mountains with her 2 black labs. During high school Sara got her Certified Nurses Aide license which sparked her interest in becoming a nurse. This is Sara’s first year on the NSSNA board. She served as Secretary for her school chapter from May 2021 to February of 2022. This year, Sara’s goal is to maintain and communicate the budget with fellow board members, gain more leadership experience, and meet individuals in the nursing profession outside of her school. Sara is excited and honored to serve as Treasurer for the 2022-2023 year.
ALEX ELLERMEIER
Secretary
Hello everyone! My name is Alex Ellermeier, I am a second-year AND student at Mid Plains Community College and currently hold the secretary position for NSSNA. This last year I have attended and recorded minutes for each meeting that our board has held to the National Student Nurses Association. I helped the rest of my fellow board members by reaching out to exhibitors and sponsors in preparation for the convention. In addition, I took the time to contact each nursing school about our award opportunities with information for student nominations. I would like to thank every one of you for attending this convention and give a special shout-out to all of our speakers and vendors who took the time and preparation to be here today. It has been a fantastic year serving as your secretary and I can say on behalf of the board that we are all excited to be here with you today!
JACOBI STUMPFF
Image Of Nursing
Hello! My name is Jacobi Stumpff and I am currently the Image of Nursing Director for
the Nebraska State Student Nurses Association. I am in my last year of nursing school at
Western Nebraska Community College. I have really enjoyed being a part of the board and have
gained a better insight on the current legislative issues within the nursing field and evidence
based practice in relation to current nursing procedures. With my position, I promote the NSSNA
on multiple platforms to gain more awareness about what we do and the benefits of being a part
of our program.
When I’m not in class or clinical, I really enjoy being on the farm. My experience with
veterinary medicine from livestock is actually what led me to wanting to become a nurse. Last
spring when I volunteered at my first immunization clinic I had a patient ask me if I have ever
given a shot before and I told the patient that I give over 1,000 every spring during branding
season. I recently got my class A CDL last summer so I also enjoy driving semi trucks for local
farmers and my local cooperative on the weekends. I enjoy going to bonfires with friends and
having card parties with family as well.
I have not fully decided which aspect of nursing I would like to be a part of but I do enjoy
some form of intensive care. I can see myself being an emergency room nurse because I love the
self reliance and skill knowledge that comes with that setting. I plan to continue on with my
education and potentially become a nurse practitioner. I really enjoy rural Nebraska and would
like to do all that I can to give back to my community.
MADISON WYNNE
Breakthrough Chair Director
My name is Madison Wynne, and I am honored to have served as the 2022-2023 Breakthrough to Nursing Director. I am in my last semester of nursing school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center -College of Nursing in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I will graduate in May with my BSN, and then I plan to pursue a career as a labor and delivery nurse. My ultimate goal is to one day become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.
During the past year on the board, I have learned valuable leadership skills and gained experiences that I will never forget. I met so many amazing nursing students from across the United States at the annual NSNA convention in Salt Lake City, Utah and I learned how to bring the BTN position to local SNA chapters in Nebraska at the mid-year NSNA convention in Virginia Beach, Virginia! I have also worked on showing high school students in my area that nursing is an amazing, diverse, and in-demand profession. One of my instructors and I taught these high school students about the different types of injections using needles and oranges and I was also able to talk to a lot of high school students about nursing during the Nebraska HOSA day. Over the last few months, I assisted my fellow board members with planning our state convention. I am very thankful that I got the chance to be on the Nebraska State Student Nurses Association Board!
KARA KUDERA
Legislative Chair
My name is Kara Kudera, and I serve as the 2022-2023 Legislative Director. I currently attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center Northern Division in Norfolk, Nebraska. This is my senior year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and I plan to graduate in May of 2023. I plan to pursue a career as a nurse in the emergency department of rural Nebraska. I have been working as a CNA since 2017 when I turned 16. I started out working in a long term care facility, and in my transition to nursing school I started working as an aid on a Medical- Surgical Unit. I have a passion to care for patients of rural Nebraska, as I am one of the RHOP students from Wayne State College. It has been a pleasure serving as the NSSNA Legislative Director. It gave me a unique insight into the impact that the legislative process has on Nurses across the state and the nation. Through my time on the board I led a portion of the philanthropy project for the Northeast part of the state, I monitored local and state legislation and reported as necessary, and assisted with activities necessary to prepare for state convention. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the NSSNA Legislative Director! I was able to make new connections with other nursing students from across the state and build on my leadership skills as I prepare for my career in nursing.
ELLIE SANDBERG
Community Service Director
Ellie Sandberg is in the LPN program at Mid-Plains Community College hoping to transfer into the LPN to RN bridge program during the summer. Ellie has always been passionate about helping other and volunteering time to give back to the community. This love for people and the drive to help other drew her to a career in nursing. After graduating form nursing school Ellie hopes to work either in OB or the NICU where she can pursue her want to provide care for children and infants. When Ellie is not occupied with classes she enjoys going back to the farm and ranch she grew up on and spending time with her family. Growing up she was involved with numerous community events including food pantries, town festivals, church events, etc. Ellie has always been proactive regarding helping in the community and has continued to do so throughout her college years. Ellie joined NSSNA in 2021 and was elected for the Community Service Director position and was reelected for the same position for the 2022 term. Ellie is honored to serve as the 2022 Community Service Director and looks forward to this opportunity and giving back to the community.
KELSEY TIGHE
Nominations Director
Kelsey Tighe is a first-year nursing student, expected to graduate from UNMC CON- Western
Nebraska Division in May of 2023 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Kelsey grew
up in Crawford Nebraska and then attended college at Western Nebraska Community College
for two years, where she completed her prerequisites for the UNMC nursing program. Kelsey
has cared for a rural elderly residents in her local area that sparked her love for nursing. Kelsey
is also involved in nursing school with her local SNA chapter, and AHEC Scholars programs.
Kelsey plans on staying in the panhandle to work and help those small-town residents and
possible continuing her education to become a nurse practitioner. Kelsey is very honored to
hold the Nominations Nursing chair for the 2022-2023 year. Kelsey’s goal while holding the
position of Nominations Nursing Chair is to recruit a full board for the upcoming year from
students from different campuses.
HOLLY ANDERSON
Communications Editor
Holly is in her second year of the RN nursing program at Western Nebraska Community College and will graduate in May of 2023. Holly grew up and graduated from Mitchell, where she resides again with her husband and their four children. She enjoys attending her children's activities, spending time with her family and their animals. After graduation, Holly plans to work locally in the ER, further her education to obtain her APRN and work towards her dream job to one day become a flight nurse.
RAVEN LANCE
Consultant
Raven Lance is the NSSNA Consultant. She is currently a Critical Care Transport Nurse at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She is also a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Her other nursing experience includes 3 years of CVICU at Nebraska Medicine and 6 months of local travel ICU experience in Fremont Nebraska. She is also a Certified Critical-Care Registered Nurse (CCRN). She previously served on the NSSNA board from 2018-2019 as the Image of Nursing Director. During that time, she worked to revamp the social media presence and created the Image of Nursing Social Media Award with the Image of Nursing Committee. She was the 2019 Nebraska State Student Nurse of the Year, which she notes as one of the greatest honors that she has ever received. She graduated in the spring of 2019 with her BSN from Clarkson College. She enjoys her time as a nurse, and spending time with her husband and two children. She hopes to eventually go back to school but is currently enjoying learning and developing her skills in her currently role. "There are many very different career paths, but that is the beauty of nursing you can go in so many different directions!”
TRACY TRAN
Student Advisor
Tracy Tran is 2022-2023 NSSNA’s Student Advisor and graduated with her BSN from UNMC-
Lincoln in May of 2022. She is currently a pediatric psychiatric nurse at Boys Town and has a
goal of earning her Doctor of Nursing degree specializing in psychology within the next few
years. Tracy previously served on the 2021-2022 NSSNA’s board as the Breakthrough Chair
Director and took on another role during that time as Image Chair Director. Outside of school,
she enjoys weight-training, spending time with friends and family and drinking her daily dose of
caffeine. She also spends a lot of time at PetSmart for her puppy, Atticus.
She served in many professional organizations in nursing school and currently serves in the
Asian Pacific American Connection Employee Resource Group, Women’s Inclusion Network, and
Boys Town Emerging Leaders. Tracy states that one of her greatest honors is being recognized
by DHHS for outstanding innovation in the Division of Behavioral Health and has plans to
publish her research in the near future. Tracy is very honored to be this year’s Student Advisor.
“Nursing is an art […} it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter’s or
sculptor’s work […] I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts.” – Florence Nightingale
Consultant
