The Missouri Nursing Students’ Association (MONSA) is a statewide organization for student nurses in Missouri and is a constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA). MONSA is independently organized and governed by Missouri nursing students. In 2019, there were over 2000 members whose membership came from nursing programs throughout the state.
Founded in 1952, MONSA is an organization for students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate and diploma nursing programs. It is dedicated to fostering the leadership and professional development of nursing students.
MONSA's Board of Directors is made up of 10 nursing students who are elected at the organization's annual convention and one non-voting consultant who was appointed by the Missouri Nurses Association to provide guidance to the association.
Over 300 nursing students participate in MONSA's Annual Convention, which gives Missouri nursing students the opportunity to hear well-known speakers, discuss trends and issues relevant to nursing today, learn about leadership, nurse specialties and career development activities. In addition, there is a mini NCLEX review and opportunities to network with other students from across Missouri and the region. Panels, exhibits, education sessions and fun events round out a conference designed to help students prepare for their careers as professional nurses.
Our Mission
Enhance professional nursing students education and practice in all environments to assure quality, affordable, and accessible health care for the people of Missouri.
Our Purpose
1. Assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care.
2. Provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interest and concerns.
3. Aid in the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, and his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.
Our Function
1. To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence on the education process.
2. To influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate.
3. To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities toward improved health care and the resolution of related social issues.
4. To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and to other organizations.
5. To promote and encourage student participation in interdisciplinary activities.
6. To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participation in student activities, and education opportunities regardless of a person’s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age, or economic status.
7. To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the Missouri Nurses’ Association (MONA) and the Missouri League for Nursing (MLN), as well as other state nursing and related health organizations.
8. To promote nursing education by rewarding scholarships based on academic excellence and financial need, as funds are available.
Board of Directors
2023-2024
Leadership is…
…an integral part of the nursing profession. At the Missouri Nursing Students’ Association, leadership is a collaborative effort where the members work with the Board of Directors to chart the best course for the future of nursing.
MONSA’s elected volunteer leaders are committed nursing students who work strategically with the student nursing association school chapters, the National Student Nurses’ Association and other professional nursing organizations in Missouri. By working together, these organizations are able to combine leadership talent and insight to develop a clear picture of what nursing needs today - and tomorrow.
President
Hannah Koenigsfeld
Columbia College - Columbia, Missouri
hekoenigsfeld1@cougars.ccis.edu
Hi, I’m Hannah Koenigsfeld, I am your 2022-2024 MONSA president. I am currently a senior at Columbia College. I will graduate in May of 2024. I am excited to be joining the MONSA executive board. I feel my drive and ambition makes me a great fit to be your MONSA president. I have been in the healthcare field since I was 14 volunteering in the ER, outpatient, and at Goldschmidt Cancer Center. I now work as an external at Truman VA in Columbia. I hope to specialize in oncology or critical care while also doing SANE nursing. I truly love working and talking with people and want to be that person that helps people cope in some of the hardest times in their life. I also love challenges and feel that every part of nursing truly brings its own challenge. I look forward to meeting many new faces this year and growing our MONSA organization. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments or things you think should be added to MONSA.
Vice President / Convention Director
Sivan Guzman
Stephens College - Columbia, Missouri
My name is Sivan Guzman, I am a senior at Stephens College and intend to graduate with my BSN in May 2024. I obtained my CNA license in 2018 and have worked in the healthcare field ever since. I have experience in various healthcare settings, including home healthcare, nursing homes, assisted living, and inpatient hospitals. I am currently a Patient Care Technician at Boone Hospital and hope to begin my nursing career in the adult ICU, with a long-term goal of becoming a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. For me, nursing has always been about fostering trust and building meaningful relationships with diverse individuals. However, my involvement with NSNA and assuming VP at Stephens College SNA has deepened my appreciation for leadership and advocacy in the nursing field. Using my organizational skills, drive, and positive outlook, I aspire to enhance and expand the capabilities of MONSA as its Vice President. I am dedicated to helping support and encourage other Missouri nursing students on their path to becoming successful nurses.
Secretary / Treasurer
Caprice Leighton
Moberly Area Community College - Moberly, Missouri
My name is Caprice Leighton, and I am a second-year nursing student at Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Missouri working toward my Associate of Nursing Degree with an expected date of graduation, December 2024. I am the elected Missouri Nursing Students’ Association Secretary/Treasurer. I also serve in the capacity of Secretary at Moberly Area Community College in the MACC Student Nurses Association. I have been in the medical field for over 30 years in the administration realm. I have experience in management and leadership roles and various committees including the Boone Health Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) Committee, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity awareness, and various volunteer roles in my community. I earned my Master of Business Administration and Master of Criminal Justice Degrees and plan to use these combined with leadership qualities to work in risk management, infection prevention and emergency medicine. My husband Lance and I have raised five children. It has been a goal for several years to become either a lawyer or nurse. As our children have become adults and moved on to pursue their individual dreams, I decided to be a nurse for my last career to use my legal and business degrees combined with healthcare experience in the nursing field. I currently serve as a phlebotomist, patient care technician, and secretary at Boone Health in the Emergency Room. I have received the Bee Award, which recognizes exceptional care givers in a non-licensed role, and numerous scholarships while serving in this role. In my capacity as Secretary/Treasurer, I hope to meaningfully communicate across Missouri and nationally with other nursing students’ associations to exchange ideas and increase awareness surrounding issues and career trends in nursing. This includes legislation advocacy for quality and affordable health care, nurse education and licensure and safety in nursing.
Northern Regional Director
Amanda Shoemaker
Stephens College - Columbia, Missouri
amashoemaker23@sc.stephens.org
Hello, I’m Amanda Shoemaker and I am the 2023-2024 MONSA Northern Regional Director. I am a junior at Stephens College and will graduate in May 2025. I am originally from Macon, Missouri. I have been in the health care field for almost five years now. I was active-duty Air Force for four years where I was a medical technician/medic. I was stationed in Japan for two years and worked in-patient as well as, pre-op and post-op. I was sent back to Missouri after Japan and worked in a clinic for my last year in active status. I switched to the Reserves in order to go to nursing school. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone.
Southern Regional Director
Grace Kowalski
Columbia College - Columbia, Missouri
Hi my name is Grace Kowalski and I’m the MONSA Southern DIrector. I’m Originally from the St. Louis area, but I’m currently a Senior BSN student attending Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. At the school level, I am also VP for our chapter of SNA and Cohort President. I had an interest in healthcare from a young age, and decided on nursing as my career choice because of the direct patient care nurses provide. Since being in school, I have gained work experience as a PCT in an ICU as well as completing a 400hr externship with the VA. As your Southern Director I hope to be a resource for students across Missouri wanting to see a positive change in their nursing programs as well as making SNA accessible to all Missouri nursing students.
St. Louis Regional Director
Lauren Simmons
St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley - St. Louis, Missouri
Hello, I’m Lauren Simmons. I am your 2023–2024 St. Louis Regional Director. I am currently in my third semester at the St. Louis Community College of Florissant Valley. My planned graduation will be in the fall of 2024. I am excited about my journey with MONSA, especially being on the executive board.I have many years in public service. I chose Nursing simply because I have a passion for helping others. Losing my Mother during nursing school has done nothing but fueled me furthermore. My goal in life is to leave the biggest carbon footprint possible, so nursing just made sense for me. As far as my desired Nursing specialty I am still navigating through my clinical experiences. OR, Aesthetics and Hospice are my top picks. I can’t wait to have more future Nurses join forces for MONSA. Please reach out to me with any questions and ideas that you may have.
State Consultant
Desma R. Reno, Ph.D(c), MSN, APRN, GCNS-BC
Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau, Missouri
desrn5651@gmail.com, dreno@semo.edu
Desma Reno graduated from Three Rivers Community College in 1974.While in Poplar Bluff she worked at the Poplar Bluff Hospital as staff nurse, charge nurse and as evening shift supervisor. She moved to the Cape Girardeau area in the late 70’s where she continued her career at St. Francis Medical Center. She worked in a variety of nursing roles, which include staff nurse in medical, surgical, cardiac and orthopedics. She also worked in nursing management as a house supervisor, area coordinator and as nurse manager for the Skilled Nursing Facility. Her most recent position was as Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology. Ms. Reno completed her BSN from Southeast Missouri in 1976. She continued her education at the University of Central Arkansas graduating in 1986 with a MSN with an emphasis in Medical/Surgical nursing and teaching. She currently is a student at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale as a PhD student in Workforce Education.
Ms. Reno is also certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology and as a Nursing Home Administrator in the state of Missouri. In 1981 Ms. Reno joined the faculty at Southeast Missouri State University where she is an Assistant Professor in Nursing. In the faculty role she teaches in both the baccalaureate and graduate program. In addition, she serves as the Director of the Institute of Gerontology. She also serves as a Nurse Consultant in Gerontology in acute and long-term care facilities. Ms. Reno is a member of a variety of professional nursing organizations. She has served two terms as President of the Missouri Nurses’ Association (1997-2001). She has served as a delegate to the American Nurses Association since 1988. In addition, she has served on a variety of committees, task forces and coalitions at both the state and national level. Ms. Reno is very active in a variety of other organizations and community base initiatives. She has received numerous awards and honors for her tireless work for the nursing department, university, community and for the nursing profession. I am available to faculty and students regarding questions you may have about SNA Chapter development and how to get involved at the local, state and national level. I encourage you to get involved and make a difference.
