Douglas Davis, a senior in the Brooks College of Health’s School of Nursing at the University of North Florida, was recently elected president of the National Student Nurses’ Association, the nation’s largest pre-professional membership organization. This is the fourth time a UNF student has held this national nursing leadership role.
Davis, a combat veteran of the United States Army, will serve as chair of the NSNA Executive Committee; member of the NSNA Finance Committee; member of the Council of State Presidents Planning Committee; and as an ex-officio member of the FNSNA Foundation Board of Trustees with his new role as president.
“UNF’s School of Nursing continues to stand out amongst all other colleges; we’re proud to say Doug is our fourth national president in the past 16 years,” said Dr. Judy Comeaux, program director for the UNF School of Nursing’s regular prelicensure program. “A record not only for the University but also for NSNA as the organization has never had these many presidents from one school.”
As NSNA president, Davis, a St. Augustine resident, hopes to apply the same passion for innovation to the NSNA in ensuring it’s constantly striving to meet the needs of the current members. He has served in various leadership roles prior to his election, including serving in the Florida Nursing Student Association as the Northeast Region 2 member as well as the Legislative and Policy chair. After his election, he participated in two legislative advocacy trips to Tallahassee and Washington D.C.
NSNA’s mission is to mentor students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses and to convey the standards, ethics and skills students will need as responsible and accountable leaders and members of the profession. The organization, founded in 1952, has more than 60,000 members in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The School of Nursing offers a wide variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The program has a community-based, population-focused curriculum corresponding to changes in healthcare delivery trends. The curriculum helps students understand community environments as well as nurturing and building relationships with community agencies. In 2005, the School of Nursing was selected as the first flagship program at UNF.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
