Kansas State Nurses Association annual reports 2003

Kansas Nurse, Sep 2003 by Johnson, Terri, Barrett, Patricia Kohls, Putnam, Julie, Ternus, Jean, Et al

Presidents Report

It has been an honor and a privilege to represent Kansas nurses this past year. I have always believed in us and trusted in our abilities but I was overwhelmed at the knowledge, the expertise, the skills, the enthusiasm, and the creativity of the new graduates I have spoken with, the District officers and members 1 have had an opportunity to meet and visit with, the committee, council, and board members who have shared their time and abilities with us, and, of course, Terri Roberts and the Headquarters staff.

My tenure began in September with attending the first of many Kansas State Board of Nursing meetings. The meetings have been interesting, enlightening, and challenging. I have learned much about the regulation of the practice of nursing in Kansas and appreciate the opportunities for input. With the assistance of staff and several very articulate Kansas nurses, I met with Karen Gilpin, President of the Board of Nursing, and we identified and provided documentation about and issues concerning the investigative and disciplinary process at he Board. October brought my first opportunity to officiate at the State Convention and 1 was very pleased at the positive and enthusiastic tenor I felt during both days. Constituent Assembly in November in Washington, DC brought an opportunity for sharing concerns, questions, and successes with other state presidents and executive directors. The evidence of much progress on the contracts with UAN and WPA, as well as on the prospective bylaws, to give us all a renewed sense of hope.

Representing KSNA at the Kansas Nursing Workforce Partnership meetings has been a unique opportunity to move Kansas forward in working through the nursing shortage, as well as being a venue for addressing other practice issues with our health care partners. Some of these partners were also present at the Nursing Summit held in Topeka in February the day prior to The Day at the Legislature. Thanks again to Alice Adam Young for facilitating the summit. The results of the day have been summarized and they will be used in guiding KSNA forward and used at the Board of Directors' Strategic Planning session.

An amazing opportunity for nursing's input into federal health care regulations came our way in May when U.S. Congressional Representative Moran and Palmcroy brought CMS Administrator Tom Skully into Hays, Kansas and as the KSNA President I was invited to be one of the eight panel members asked to present concerns and recommendations for Medicare and Medicaid to him. Thanks again to Terri Roberts and our Headquarters staff for being very astute and knowing just what needed to be said. KSNA was the recepiant of the most detailed media coverage of any of the panel members.

I completed this year by representing Kansas, along with six other delegates, at the House of Delegates in Washington, DC and participated in the momentous steps taken to begin ANA's journey toward the future by passing new bylaws that open up new membership categories and by ratifying dues changes that allow for the United American Nurses and Center for American Nurses (formally Commission on Workplace Advocacy) to become separate by interdependent entities.

Thanks again to all KSNA Board members, committee and council members, District Presidents and officers, KSNA office staff, and all members for making this past year so productive and successful for registered nurses in Kansas.

Terri Johnson, MSN, ARNP

President

tjohnson@kwu.edu

District Reports

District 1

District 1 had a year of recognition, learning, fun, recruitment, and service. Board Members and Committee Chairpersons directed the group activities and achievements for District 1 over the last year. We recognized new members by the president and membership chairperson contacting each new member and by featuring a biography of some new members in our newsletter. At the second annual recognition Banquet in May we recognized all members present with door prizes and entertainment. We also gave Nurse of the Year and Outstanding Leadership awards as recognition. By-laws were extensively revised and submitted to KSNA for approval. Resolutions were written and submitted to KSNA for consideration. We kept informed though programs on nursing issues and sending out information about legislative issues in the newsletter and over the internet. KSNA President, Terri Johnson, spoke on current professional issues in nursing at our September meeting. We also had programs about legal and ethical aspects of providing spiritual care and getting a Doctorate in Christian Marriage Counseling. We co-sponsored a Research Day with the Eta Kappa Chapter at large Sigma Theta Tau International. Fundraisers included selling a "Nurses Care" Ornament and tickets to the musical "Chicago". A theme basket was donated to KNF for a fundraiser at the convention. During the first annual holiday fun in December members donated gloves and scarves to the Rescue Mission. Members also participated at the convention and DATL. In the spring and fall we presented to nursing students about nursing issues being addressed by ANA/KSNA. We discussed reasons for belonging to the professional organization that works for their profession. KSNA District 1 was presented best newsletter in our category.