A quick look at ATD under the Student Affairs listing on the College of Nursing web site says:
“Alpha Tau Delta is a professional nursing organization committed to providing an intra-fraternal spirit of cooperation by offering an opportunity for nurses and nursing students to promote their personal and intellectual growth through education, networking, scholarships, guidance, and a collective responsibility to the fraternity. Alpha Tau Delta seeks to achieve an environment that fosters excellence of individual performance, advancement of education, character enrichment, and leadership.”
What is doesn’t say is the ATD is one of the newest chapters of the national organization and also the largest chapter in the country with 92 members and 20 more students pledging this semester. Assistant Clinical Professor Mary Cloud is the faculty representative to the group and Mary Kate O’Regan and Tara Matteo serve as Co-Presidents. Any student nurse who has completed or is enrolled in Nursing 203 is eligible to join whether they are sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student. The annual dues of $100 is one of the lowest of any chapter in the country.
According to Mary Kate and Tara their emphasis is a little different from national in that they are trying to become more established in the College of Nursing and develop traditions that they can pass on the future members. The object of almost all of their events is to promote fellowship and increase a sense of professionalism among nursing students. Events and meetings are a chance to bond with other students. The have a Big and Little Program where older students act as mentor to give newer students advice and a sense of belonging.
Pledges sign a contract to attend monthly meetings and earn 5 points each semester. Points are earned in four different fields: Academic, Social, Philanthropic and Fund Raising. Earning points is not that difficult simply because there are so many activities ATD is involved in. Realizing that everyone’s schedule is different and there will always be times when attending a meeting or event is impossible for a member, the chapter is more than lenient is allowing make ups. Events are scheduled at a wide variety of times and dates to allow members the widest possible opportunities for participation.
Virtually all of their events are fund raisers that provide the students with an opportunity to give back to the Rhode Island community as well as create a sense of fellowship among ATD members. Some of the events held this past year were: A bowling night to benefit Hasbro Cancer Center, a breast cancer walk, letters to troops deployed overseas, collecting non-perishable food for the Homeless Shelter in Wakefield and flowers for students and faculty on the Quad. As a fund raiser the chapter sold $3 quick reference cards for nurses that can be clipped to badges. The subjects included: blood chemistry, pediatric information, EKG’s and conversions. They also had events that helped members like “Self-Love Week” and “Yoga Night”. These are designed to relieve some of the stress involved with being a student nurse. Finally they have social events with several of the other Fraternities and Sororities on campus.
It is hard to think of a reason why a nursing student would not want to join the URI Chapter of Alpha Tau Delta. It is a great opportunity for students to get together and share their experiences as well as give back to the community.
