Digital Badge Program

Digital badges are images that represent something significant a person has learned or done while part of Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. More specifically, they provide verified recognition of skills or achievements not represented by traditional credentials. LinkedIn is a popular location for displaying badges.

Obtaining a GSON digital badge signifies that you have committed yourself to a quality learning experience from a recognized leader in professional development.

Badges offer a quick and convenient way for potential employers to confirm your newly acquired skills and knowledge at a glance. Digital badges can also assist you during a job search by providing an easy way for prospective employers to discover you based on the specific skills and experience you have earned.

If a program is available for badging and you have demonstrated capability according to specific criteria established for the badge, you will automatically become eligible to claim a badge for that program.

See the information below for each badge.

Student Ambassadors

A student leadership opportunity within the college, ambassadors serve in a public relations role as selected representatives who promote GSON programs and services, participate in a variety of events and activities with college leadership, board members, alumni, community leaders and others. To receive a student ambassadors badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Attend an interest session
• Complete the application process and meet deadlines
• Be currently enrolled as a full-time student (12 hrs. undergrad – 6 hrs. grad)
• Be in good standing with the College
• GPA – minimum 3.0
• Be able to demonstrate strong communication skills
• Demonstrate commitment to meet all participation expectations
• Apply as self-referral or referral from Goldfarb administration, faculty or staff
• Attend training session(s) during the term
• At least two students will represent each program of study

Veterans & Supporters Together (VAST)

VAST provides support and information for veterans, families of veterans, current military personnel, students interested in a military career after nursing school and students interested in veteran/military service who are enrolled in a nursing school program at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. To receive a VAST badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a member of VAST
• Must attend five (5) meetings and participate in three (3) club and GSON events (Upper Division)
• Must attend three (2) meetings and participate in two (2) club and GSON events (Accelerated)
• Must present meeting and event email confirmation to document meeting attendance and event confirmation

Goldfarb Men Excelling in Nursing (GMEN)

GMEN is a gender-neutral, all-inclusive student organization that focuses on promoting men in nursing and issues facing male nurses. To receive a GMEN badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must attend five (5) meetings and participate in three (3) club and GSON events (Upper Division)
• Must attend three (2) meetings and participate in two (2) club and GSON events (Accelerated)
• Must present meeting and event email confirmation to document meeting attendance and event confirmation

Students Promoting Diversity in Nursing (SPD)

SPD was created to promote diversity in nursing among students. Anyone who is interested in developing a deeper understanding of various communities, health concerns affecting them, and the recruitment of more diverse people into the field of nursing should join. To receive an SPD badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must attend five (5) meetings and participate in three (3) club and GSON events (Upper Division)
• Must attend three (2) meetings and participate in two (2) club and GSON events (Accelerated)
• Must present meeting and event email confirmation to document meeting attendance and event confirmation

Student Nurses' Association (SNA)

SNA was started as a way to provide eligible undergraduate students the opportunity to benefit from a membership in this leading student nurses professional organization. To receive an SNA badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be an active member of National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA)
• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must attend five (5) meetings and participate in three (3) club and GSON events (Upper Division)
• Must attend three (2) meetings and participate in two (2) club and GSON events (Accelerated)
• Must present meeting and event email confirmation to document meeting attendance and event confirmation

Student Council

A student government organization that serves as a conduit for student voices in college affairs, Student Council promotes student leadership and professional development, participates in selected community activities, plans and assists in the coordination of social events, promotes wellness and acts as a liaison with the Barnes-Jewish College alumni and Barnes-Jewish Hospital Auxiliary. To receive a student council badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Elected or appointed
• Must attend five (5) meetings and participate in three (3) club and GSON events (Upper Division)
• Must attend three (2) meetings and participate in two (2) club and GSON events (Accelerated)
• Must present meeting and event email confirmation to document meeting attendance and event confirmation

Students, Families and Supporters (SFS)

SFS is a student club, started in 2012, dedicated to supporting students who are also parents. Organized activities will include club members’ families. To receive an SFS badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must attend five (5) meetings and participate in three (3) club and GSON events (Upper Division)
• Must attend three (2) meetings and participate in two (2) club and GSON events (Accelerated)
• Must present meeting and event email confirmation to document meeting attendance and event confirmation

Sigma Tau Iota - Chapter 439

Sigma Tau Iota is an honor society that creates a global community of nurses who lead in using scholarship, knowledge and technology to improve the health of the world’s people. The college’s Tau Iota Chapter offers membership to individuals in the BSN and MSN programs who demonstrate superior academic or professional achievement and leadership. To receive a Sigma Tau Iota badge, the requirements are as follows:

• BSN nursing students need a 3.0 minimum GPA
• Top 35% of the class at the start of their last term
• Graduate students (MSN) are eligible for membership when they have a 3.5 GPA and have completed at least one quarter of the curriculum
• Students in graduate programs who are registered nurses, legally recognized to practice in their country and have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field

Peer Tutors

Peer tutoring is additional supplemental instruction that entails one-on-one and/or group peer tutoring sessions. This position is available to current students entering term 2 or higher to serve the accelerated, upper division and graduate programs. The program is designed to provide quality service focused on enhancing student learning while identifying barriers that may inhibit academic success. Tutors may be selected by faculty, staff and/or student referrals. To receive a peer tutors badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Participate in peer tutor orientation and onboarding process
• Must have a B+ or better in the course(s) that they are tutoring
• Must hold a role at end of each eligible term

Peer Leaders

Peer Leaders provide supplemental instruction which targets traditionally difficult academic courses in the undergraduate BSN program options. Students who attend these sessions discover appropriate applications of study strategies, problem-solving and test preparation as they review content material specific to each course. To receive a Peer Leader's badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Participate in peer leader orientation and onboarding process
• Must have a B+ or better in the course(s) that they are leading
• Must hold a role at end of each eligible term

Peer Mentors

Peer Mentors are current students typically entering term 2 or higher to serve the accelerated, upper division and graduate programs. Incoming undergraduate students and graduate students are assigned a peer mentor who seeks to enhance their nursing student experience by providing individualized and group communication opportunities. A primary priority of the relationship is to help develop a sense of belonging in the GSON community and to curricular and co-curricular collaborative interactions with other students. To receive a peer mentor badge, the requirements are as follows:

• Must be a current student at Goldfarb
• Must be in good academic standing
• Attend the peer mentor orientation and onboarding process
• Contact their peer mentees at least three times per month
• Complete the peer mentor survey at the end of the term
• Must hold a role at end of each eligible term

Dean's Scholar Program

The Dean’s Scholar Program provides financial support for undergraduate and graduate students to attend professional/educational conferences or meetings to aid them in broadening their exposure to nursing and the nursing profession. This funding is provided for the sole purpose of enhancing the nursing student’s education. Interested students must submit a proposal summarizing their reason for wishing to attend the event, desired outcomes, how they will share their experiences with peers and overall costs of the event. Proposals are considered in the order of their submission. Once funds have been exhausted for that academic year, acceptance of proposals will be discontinued. The requirements for a Dean's Scholar badge are a student:

• Must submit an application and all supporting documentation
• Must be an undergraduate student in good academic standing
• Must be currently enrolled in courses at Goldfarb School of Nursing at the time of submission of the proposal and attending the conference/meeting
• May receive only one Dean’s Scholar Award during their program of study

Research Experience Program

To receive the research experience program digital badge, a student must be in good academic standing and must:

• Complete CITI Training
• Complete an IRB profile, where applicable
• Participate in the REx program for a minimum of 12 weeks
• Complete pre and post-program evaluations

Dean's List

To be on the dean's list, a student must be a full-time undergraduate student with a GPA of 3.75 or higher in a given term.

Latin Honors

The Latin Honors Award badge is based upon a student's final cumulative GPA, as follows:

• Cum Laude GPA 3.60 - 3.74
• Magna Cum Laude GPA 3.75 -3.89
• Summa Cum Laude GPA 3.90 - 4.00

Nurses2Peru

Nurses2Peru is open to all students, registered nurses and advanced practice nurses interested in working with global-health nursing service teams. The work — which includes tasks from health screenings to medication distribution — is focused on indigenous villagers living on the Inca Trail in the Peruvian Andes. Specific aims of Nurses2Peru include nutrition and hydration, infection control, injury prevention and advancing menstrual equity.

Student Organization Leader

A student organization leader is a current GSON student in a leadership position in their previous term. You must attend student club meetings and organize at least one event each term.