Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 71(4) | Page 4

Message from the President

This is my last message as your president . On December 9 , I will pass the baton to the next generation at our annual membership meeting . I am humbled by this experience to serve my profession in such a meaningful way . I have been driven by one goal : to do what is best for our association .
As I reflect on the past five years , the phrase by Jim Collins ( 2001 ), Good to Great , comes to mind . Based on membership survey results , PSNA ’ s board and staff have worked arduously and steadfastly on five major initiatives : ( 1 ) advocacy , ( 2 ) education , ( 3 ) membership , ( 4 ) fiscal stability , and ( 5 ) nursing scholarships .
Membership growth and retention were front and center in all of our decisions . For the past two years , ANA has recognized PSNA as one of the top five states increasing membership . Key factors for this growth were visibility of leadership across the state and the Young Nurse Professional ( YNP ) initiative . The YNP program grew to more than 500 members in two years . With this growth , strategies of engagement and information dissemination were explored and instituted to enhance networking , share knowledge , and build relationships . Millennial members challenged PSNA to be innovative in its professional development strategies . The staff developed book clubs , video clubs , online modules , and CE in a Box to benefit all members . Participation in these offerings has been excellent and members have gone on to share the opportunities with non-members . As a result of these initiatives , PSNA sees financial stability . In turn , we can reinvest in new priorities .
Expanded visibility has had a positive ripple effect on PSNA ’ s advocacy and scholarships . Through a strategically-crafted legislative platform , our advocacy role has expanded to support meaningful healthcare legislation . Over the past five years , PSNA has sponsored or supported a record 12 key nursing and / or healthcare legislative initiatives . Legislators ask lobbyists and organizations : What is PSNA ’ s stance on this legislation ? Likewise , the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania ( NFP ) has garnered significant endowments for educational scholarships . Applications for funding has increased from 30 to more than 200 per year .
PSNA was undoubtedly a Good professional organization . We have now progressed to a Great one . We have seen tremendous growth but we are not finished . We will continue to
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President : Christine Alichnie , PhD , RN Vice President : Kelly A . Kuhns , PhD , RN Secretary : Ellen Schauerman , BSN , RNC-NICB
Treasurer : Patrick E . Kenny , EdD , RN , ACRN , APRN-PMH , NE-BC
Board of Directors Jennifer Bellot , PhD , RN Marcia D . Cook-Love , MSN , RN , PMHCNS-BC , FNP , CNE Latasha Kast , BSN , RN Jay G . Thomas , CRNA , MS , MPA Dara M . Whalen , MS , RN , CNE , SANE
Chief Executive Officer Betsy M . Snook , MEd , BSN , RN bsnook @ psna . org
Director of Communications Jennifer Neidig jneidig @ psna . org
Headquarters Pennsylvania State Nurses Association 3605 Vartan Way , Suite 204 Harrisburg , PA 17110-9301 T : 717-657-1222 F : 717-657-3796 Toll Free : 888-707-7762 psna @ psna . org
Editor-in-Chief Carol Toussie Weingarten , PhD , RN , ANEF
Editorial Peer Review Board Patricia Becker , MS , CRNP Karen Blake , RNC , BSN , MSN , CRNP Susan Callahan , RN , BSN , CCRN Ana Maria Catanzaro , RN , PhD Joan Clites , BSN , MSN , EdD Mary Ann Dailey Elayne DeSimone , PhD , RN , CRNP Linda Fowler , MLS , RN Sharon Gordon , MSN , RN , CNOR ( E ) Julia Greenawalt , PhD , RNC Cheryl Hettman , PhD , RN Kelly A . Kuhns , PhD , RN Cheryl Mee , MSN , MBA , RN , BC , CMSRN Adele Mueller , PhD ( c ), MSN , RN Kate O ’ Neill , MSN , RN Elizabeth Palmer , PhD , RN , CNE Carol Patton , RN , CRNP Susan G . Poorman , PhD , APRN , BC Melody Stark , RN L ' Tanya M . Taylor , MSN , RN Holly Tavianini , MSN , RN , MSHSA , CNRN Danielle Weaver Shelley Watters , DNP , RN
© 2016 Pennsylvania State Nurses Association www . psna . org
Fall 2016 Pennsylvania Nurse 2