ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The National Student Nurses’ Association, Inc.’s (NSNA) mission is to mentor students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, and to convey the standards, ethics, and skills that students will need as responsible and accountable leaders and members of the profession.

Founded in 1952, NSNA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization for students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate, diploma, and graduate nursing programs. It is dedicated to fostering the professional development of nursing students.

NSNA has 60,000 members in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

NSNA’s Board of Directors is made up of 9 nursing students who are elected at the organization’s Annual Convention and one ex-officio Board member elected by the Council of State Presidents. Two non-voting consultants are appointed by the American Nurses Association and the National League for Nurses to provide guidance. NSNA and the NSNA Foundation employ a full-time staff of 15 headquartered in Brooklyn, NY.

Over 3,000 nursing students participate in NSNA’s Annual Convention, which features leadership and career development activities, opportunities to listen to renowned nursing leaders, hear about job opportunities and the chance to network with hundreds of other students. The program includes a state board exam mini-review.

NSNA holds a second meeting which attracts over 600 students yearly: the MidYear Conference offers workshops and panels on career and association development as well as a state board exam mini-review.

The Foundation of the NSNA, created in memory of NSNA’s first executive director, Frances Tompkins, is a non-profit corporation [501 (c)(3)] organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The FNSNA has distributed over 4.3 million dollars in scholarships for undergraduate nursing education.

NSNA’s official magazine, Imprint, publishes five times during the academic year (there is no summer issue) and members are notified of publication and provided access link via email. Issues will also be accessible at www.nsna.org.

NSNA’s Core Values

• Advocacy
• Leadership & Autonomy
• Professionalism
• Care
• Diversity
• Quality Education

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of the NSNA and the Foundation of the NSNA (FNSNA) and is responsible for leading and managing both entities. The Executive Director plans, organizes, directs and coordinates programs and activities to assure objectives are attained, plans are fulfilled, finances are healthy, and member needs are met. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring conformity with policies established by the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors; and in the case of the FNSNA with the members and the Trustees.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors.  Direct Reports include: Deputy Executive Director, Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Program and Education, Membership Staff Specialist, Communications Staff Specialist, FNSNA Scholarship and Grants Administrator, FNSNA Staff Specialist.

AUTHORITY

The NSNA Board of Directors delegates to the Executive Director the authority to administer the organization according to the policies established by the House of Delegates and the NSNA Board of Directors.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

The duties of the Executive Director shall include, but not be limited, to the following:

Leadership and Governance

• Keeps the Board informed on a current basis and keeps members informed of Board decisions;
• Ensures that the Board focuses on its fiduciary responsibility, nonprofit financial best practices, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as they relate to sound financial stewardship;
• Provides information and guidance and makes recommendations regarding matters requiring attention of the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors;
• Provides orientation and mentorship to the President and Board of Directors;
• Represents the NSNA and serves as a spokesperson on matters of established policy and positions, as indicated and/or requested by the Board of Directors or President;
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with other national nursing and healthcare organizations;
• Reports to the Board of Directors and carries out policies, plans, and priorities established by the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors;
• Recognized as an agent of the Board of Directors, functioning within the framework determined by that body;
• Serves as Ex-officio, non-voting member of the NSNA Board of Directors;
• Follows the NSNA Constitution and Bylaws, and within the constraints established in NSNA Resolutions, Code of Ethics, and governing policies and principles, partners closely with the Board to further NSNA’s mission, core values, and Strategic Plan.

Relationship with NSNA President

• Works closely with the President to ensure that the President is informed of their role and responsibility in the organization;
• Keeps President up to date on progress of the goals and strategic plan of the association;
• Accompanies President when they are representing the association at the American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, International Council of Nurses Congress, and the Nursing Organizations Alliance meetings.

Relationship to Staff/Management

• Employs, directs, evaluates, promotes, and terminates staff, determines salaries of staff within parameters of the operating budget, and evaluative policies as adopted by the Board of Directors;
• Develops and inspires a high performing diverse staff team through objective goal setting, delegation, communication, performance reviews, professional development, and advancement opportunities;
• Handles staff grievances as necessary;
• Evaluates policies as adopted by the Board of Directors for implementation;
• Negotiates, signs, and reviews all contracts with consultants, vendors, and royalty agreements;
• Establishes and maintains personnel and payroll systems;
• Reviews and approves all expenses of the organization;
• Maintains headquarters office and lease agreements;
• Delegates responsibilities for conduct of organization business to staff members as appropriate;
• Functions as a liaison between organization staff and the Board of Directors.

Foundation of the NSNA

• Carries out the policies, programs, plans and priorities of the FNSNA Members and the Trustees;
• Makes recommendations regarding the direction and planning to meet the goals and objectives of the Foundation;
• Seeks funding and resources to reach goals and objectives of the FNSNA.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

• Education: A registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing and an earned research doctorate (PhD, DNSc, or EdD) in nursing or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of five years in advancing positions in nursing, with an awareness of national visibility; five years of consecutive administrative experience.
• Professional
  • Shall be a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA);
  • A sustaining member of the National Student Nurses’ Association preferred
• Abilities and Characteristics
  • Demonstrates administrative and leadership capabilities necessary to  operate a non-profit organization;
  • Commitment to the philosophy and goals of NSNA as a multi-purpose, independent, professional organization;
  • A demonstrated understanding of the role of Executive Director, including staff and volunteer leadership relationships, operating in a fiscally responsible manner, decisiveness in decision-making, and the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate programs;
  • A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion;
  • Demonstrates professional, ethical, and personal standards of integrity, maturity, and stability;
  • A track record of good governance experience with association or nonprofit volunteers and Board of Directors;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • A command and mastery of finance and budgets;
  • Understanding and experience with nursing education and faculty issues;
  • Demonstrated expertise in understanding national nursing issues.

Target salary for this position is up to $200K, commensurate with experience. The Executive Director will work on-site at the NSNA headquarters located at 45 Main Street, Suite 606, Brooklyn, NY.

SEARCH PROCESS

Applications will be accepted until March 10, 2023. This search is being conducted by Jill Christie, President, Tuft & Associates, Inc. Qualified candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and a cover letter that outlines relevant personal qualifications to:

• Complete the resume submission form below, and include your resume and cover letter.
• Email your resume and cover letter to Jill Christie, c/o cbabjak@tuftassoc.com