For Haleigh Clutters, a senior nursing student from Charleston, South Carolina, the word leadership is a familiar one. Not only is Haleigh the President of the Student Nursing Association of South Carolina and a member of the Dean’s Board, but she also is a former president of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. She shared that each of her different experiences as a leader have added valuable skills to her repertoire. From time management, to recognizing the needs of others, to understanding the importance of cultural competence, she translated experiences into expertise.

Haleigh has a hectic senior year with leadership duties, her clinical assignment as a nurse and tech, and plenty of studying. When asked how she manages it all, she said, “Get plugged in, and don’t give up. It’s easy to quit without support. Being involved is a big reason to keep going.” She mentioned the vital support organizations and professors provide their students. “Sometimes,” she said, “all you need to do is ask. Make sure they know who you are.” Additionally, her mother works as a nurse and encouraged her to get involved with SNA.

While the day-to-day grind of a student leader in a rigorous academic program can be a difficult one, Haleigh shared that with the end of her undergraduate degree in sight, everything seems worth it. Her future goals include working as an ICU nurse for two years, then as a travel nurse. She would also like to get her Nurse Practitioner degree a few years down the road. “This has been the plan all along. Everything is clear now,” she said. Her advice to future student leaders comes from a favorite quote of hers from Robert H. Schuller: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.”