The most widely practiced form of yoga in the U.S. is Hatha yoga. This type of physical activity combines asanas (physical poses) & pranayama (breathing techniques). The purpose of yoga is to connect the mind and body to improve overall wellbeing. The pose shown to the right is called the "Tree Pose".

Did you know that yoga has been found to be an effective means of improving physical health, such as improving heart rate variability (HRV), blood lipids, blood glucose, blood pressure, salivary cortisol and oxidative stress?
Many studies have also shown improved measures of mental well-being, with reports of decreased fatigue and stress. Yoga, like other forms of physical activity, is thought to suppress the HPA axis and SNS stimulation, to help modulate the stress response and reduce the adverse affects that manifest from chronic stress. Emerging studies are looking at yoga as an adjunct treatment to many diseases, such as depression, anxiety, cancer, and rehabilitation after stroke.

What's your favorite yoga pose? How has yoga been beneficial to your health? Comment below!

Use #MSNAyogi in your pictures throughout the month of July to be featured on our social media!

To finish out the last week in June and National Safety Month, Safe Driving is the topic of the week!

As nursing students, we are always on the go! Whether it's driving to class, the library, work, or clinical, the time we spend behind the wheel quickly adds up. When you factor in the sleep deprivation, accumulating responsibilities, and the time crunch that many nursing students experience, the likelihood of distracted driving is hard to ignore. 
As future nurses, we will also come in contact with patients facing the consequences of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) related to distracted driving. It is important be knowledgeable on safe driving behaviors to ensure the safety of yourself and your patients.

Did you know that drowsy driving is estimated to be responsible to nearly 10% of all MVAs (according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety)? While not being fully rested may seem harmless, it only takes a split-second of decreased alertness to veer off the road, cross into on-coming traffic, or fail to stop for a pedestrian. Click the link below for the National Safety Council's full article on Drowsy Driving.

The Michigan Nurses Foundation will be awarding a minimum of four scholarships to nursing students of $1,000 each this year. Check out the link below for application details. Deadline to apply is July 31st!

Please see the flyer below for information on an important Asthma Management Educational Opportunity! RN's will receive CEU's, and nursing students will gain crucial knowledge on an illness that you will frequently encounter in practice.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter (AAFA-MI), in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services - Asthma Program, is proud to present Asthma Management and Education© on Tuesday July 17, 2018 - 5:30-9:00 pm.


This program is designed to bring the clinician the latest information on the pathophysiology of asthma and allergy; current treatment methods; effective techniques for patient education; and ways to prevent asthma episodes,  Program is $25. Nurses earn 2.6 contact hours and respiratory therapists earn 2 CRCE credits. AE-C's use these CEU's toward your renewal. Non-clinicians should also attend to get up-to-date asthma management guidelines. A light meal is provided. 

Emergency Preparedness

June is National Safety Month – and this week’s focus is Emergency Preparedness.
Did you know that a survey of 3,000 employees in a variety of fields conducted by the American Heart Association found that over 50% of workers were not trained in first aid and CPR? However, 90% said that they would be willing to learn if their employer offered training. Nurses can play an important role in educating businesses and organizations on the importance of CPR training for its employees. Read the full article on the National Safety Council’s website.
Another aspect of Emergency Preparedness week involves ensuring you are prepared for natural disasters. In Michigan, the summer months can bring severe weather - such as tornados, floods, excessive heat and lightning storms. View The National Safety Council’s article on ensuring your workplace is prepared for a tornado. Nurses are known for being informed, organized and prepared in emergency situations – so natural disasters should be no different. Having a disaster plan is an important step in ensuring your family and workplace are safe. Set aside time this week to check out this article from Ready.gov on creating an emergency plan.

Self-Care

An equally important, but often overlooked, aspect of Emergency Preparedness is self-care during and after a traumatic event or emergency. There is no doubt that as nursing students and future nurses, we will be exposed to high-stress and emotional situations throughout our careers. It is important to have a plan to cope with these events to mitigate burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.

There are still positions open on our 2018-2019 Board of Directors! This is an amazing opportunity to expand your leadership skills, inspire your fellow nurses, and network with nursing leaders all over the country. 

​Current open positions and general descriptions are listed below! If you are interested in running, please contact MNSA.president@gmail.com for more information. 

​Elections will be held at our Board of Directors meeting on May 19th, at 9am in Lansing, MI. We hope to see you there!

​1st Vice President:

• The First Vice President is an officer of the MNSA and operates mainly in a legislative capacity. The 1st VP reports on rules and regulations that affect the MNSA and makes sure the MNSA’s By-Laws don’t violate the NSNA’s By-Laws and track the NSNA’s By-Laws pretty closely. 
• Prepares and submits proposed changes and policies to the MNSA’s By-Laws every year, puts together the Delegate Handbook for the Annual Convention, and acts as the MNSA delegate at the NSNA’s national convention.

• If the President is unable to fulfill his or her duties, the 1st Vice President steps in and takes over those duties.
• Chairperson of the Legislative committees and helps out with other committees and other MNSA projects as the situation requires and/or as the President requires.

• Oversees the resolution process in the House of Delegates and acts as a resource for those members who want to prepare and present a resolution at the state and/or national level.
• Serve as resource person to local chapters of the MNSA by providing information on bylaws, resolutions, legislative affairs, and issues.
• Distribute the revised state bylaws to each MNSA constituent school within two (2) months after the close of the MNSA Annual House of Delegates meeting.

​Community Health & Breakthrough to Nursing Director

• Update MNSA chapters of community health projects going on in their community.

• Get local chapters involved in the MNSA's community health projects.
• Inform student nurses and the community about important health topics.
• Become informed about current events related to community health via news media and appropriate newsletters, and provide information to the Board of Directors regarding these events.
• Provide a positive Image of Nursing through community health projects.
• Plan the MNSA annual community health focus for the following year with the approval of the Board of Directors.
• Serve as Co-Chairperson with the Image and Breakthrough to Nursing Director for the Committee on Image of Nursing.

Here is the address for the annual convention.  We are still allowing tickets at the door (please see convention page for prices) for those who were not able to register before.  

Marriott Troy
200 W Big Beaver Rd
Troy, MI 48084

Rochester College Students: Kimberly Whiteside (outstanding SNA member, right), Katie Steiner (SNA President, left of Kim), Renee Spicuzza (SNA Vice President, left of Katie)

Saginaw Valley State University: Jennifer Babcock (left of Renee)

We are excited to inform that our 67th Annual Convention registration is now live!  We have Ashley Adkins BSN, RN and Bill Coon: Author, Speaker, Advocate as our keynote speakers this year and we are pleased to have them join us in January.  We have some amazing breakout sessions that will discuss nursing topics of LGBTQ Competent Care, Nurse Practitioner, Hospice, Human Trafficking, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and much more! 

The Convention will be held in Troy at the Marriott Hotel and we have an MNSA promotion for hotels stays. Visit the convention page to begin the sign up process for attending the convention.  Interested in advertising or becoming a vendor at our convention?  We have opportunities still available but you must hurry as spots are filling up very quickly (click here to submit a form).

Our convention will be a blast. Hope to see you there!