Alyssa Wenger

Alyssa Wenger made the decision to become a nurse while in high school. Hospitalized for three days, she encountered one nurse in particular who went out her way to help Alyssa feel at ease and well cared for. Inspired, Alyssa is now a pediatric nurse, offering the same “above and beyond” attention to her young patients.

Alyssa learned about the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), most notably about the organizations’ global impact, while studying abroad with her nursing program in Geneva, Switzerland.

“I ultimately joined [the Delta Xi Chapter at Kent State University] because of the many networking and professional development opportunities within the organization,” she says. “However, at the time of joining I had no idea of how involved I would get in my chapter.”

Selected as a student leadership Intern for Delta Xi Chapter for the 2015-16 academic year, Alyssa spent ample time attending board meetings, exhibiting at STTI student informational meetings on campus, presenting at the Region 10 Conference in Michigan, and leading an initiative for sponsoring a nursing mobile library through the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

“My fellow intern [Elan Caruso] and I learned about the nursing mobile library project at the ICN headquarters in Geneva. This program brings up-to-date healthcare information to nurses working in developing countries … We saw a great opportunity to help our chapter meet STTI’s mission of advancing world health by sponsoring a library,” says Alyssa. They successfully raised $3,000, enough for one full mobile library unit, and are currently in discussions about where it will be of best use.

Though Alyssa’s STTI journey is still in its early stages, she already knows STTI to be a worthwhile organization full of opportunities for both nursing students and new graduates. She is particularly thankful for the guidance of her chapter president and vice president for their guidance throughout her time as a student intern. Without question, they have provided Alyssa with useful skills she can bring into her practice.