By Pareasa Rahimi
Recognized for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program—ranked No. 13 in the nation and No. 1 in Alabama—the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing prioritizes offering enriching professional development experiences that allow students to showcase their growing skills and knowledge. Recently, members of the UABSON Student Nurses’ Association attended the 74th Annual National Student Nurses’ Association Convention in Houston, Texas, where they won the Tournament for Patient Safety.
The team—BSN students Avery Fischbach, Joshua Gilbreath, Cayley Harris and Carlia Hood—competed against other schools of nursing in a fast‑paced, buzzer‑style tournament under strict time constraints. The NCLEX-style questions ranged from multiple choice to select all that apply and increased in difficulty with each round. The team correctly responded to 19 of the 21 questions posed during the tournament.
“I am proud to see the hard work of our students and the high‑quality instruction they receive reflected in the team’s success at the convention,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA‑BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN. “NSNA was the first organization I joined as a nursing student, and it is a rewarding way to get involved. It helps students build habits that serve them well throughout their careers, and I commend the work our UABSON chapter is doing to support, engage and mentor students as they grow into future leaders.”
The breadth of material tested during the tournament—including maternal health, pharmacology, physiology, community health, pediatrics and mental health—combined with a limited time to respond, closely mirrored real‑world nursing practice.
“Many questions reflected the rigor and structure of exams we have encountered throughout our education at the School, and every topic presented had been covered in at least one of our courses,” said SNA 2025-2026 President Avery Fischbach. “We approached each question collaboratively, quickly confirming our individual reasoning before committing to a final answer. Winning this award is not only a testament to our academic preparation, but also to the collaborative, supportive culture fostered within the School by both faculty and students.”
Students were joined by Instructor and SNA Faculty Advisor Cassandra Cobb, DNP, CRNP, FNP (BSN 2014, MSN 2017, DNP 2024). In addition to competing in the tournament, they attended a variety of focus sessions covering different aspects of the nursing profession, from expanding career pathways beyond traditional bedside roles to strengthening clinical reasoning, test‑taking strategies and the importance of nursing judgment. Other sessions highlighted specialized areas of practice, including oncology nursing, and emphasized the vital role nurses play in supporting patients and families through difficult diagnoses.
“The sessions gave insight into how each student could shape their nursing profession to their strengths and what best suits them,” said SNA 2026-2027 President Pia Jung.
“Overall, these sessions gave SNA more tools to grow our nursing judgment and advocacy, and it also gave us more of an idea on how to positively impact our patients’ lives.”