Meet the Candidates 2004

Alabama Nurse,  Jun-Aug 2004  

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President-elect (Vote for 1)

Crowell A. (Tony) Lisenby, MSN, RN

Districts

Present Position: Assistant Nurse Manager, PSY Staff Nurse, Tuskegee VA Hospital

ASNA Activities: Nominating Committee, Commission on Professional Issues

Statement of Qualifications: Willing and interested.

Views of the Issues: ASNA is getting older. We need young people who understand the need for statewide participation. Even the teacher's union has more members than we do, but when they are sick, they call us. We have more nurses in this state, than any other single professional body. As a group we could accomplish much. As individuals we are at the mercy of corporate whims, and the MD.

Treasurer (Vote for 1)

Debbie R. Faulk, PhD, RN

Districts

Present Position: Assistant Professor of Nursing Auburn University Montgomery, RN to BSN (EARN) Program Coordinator

ASNA Activities: Commission on Professional Issues

Statement of Qualifications: I believe my experiences serving as former Vice-President and current secretary for Kappa Omega, AUM Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau for the past 10 years qualifies me to serve as the treasurer of ASNA. I am an active member of ASNAXANA and am currently serving on the Commission on Professional Issues. In the past, I have served on the Government Relations Committee.

Views of the Issues: I believe the most pressing issue impacting the nursing profession as a whole is a lack of engagement. Of the 2.4 million nurses, only 10% are members of ANA. Until we recognize the importance of unity and engagement, I fear that we will never have the critical voice that is needed to affect change. I have always believed that people put their time, money and energy into what is most important to them. I believe ASNA/ANA must examine how the organizations can become a professional priority for nurses.

Ellen O'Connor, BSN, RN, CNOR

District 10

Present Position: Staff Nurse PRN

ASNA Activities: Board of Directors 1998-2002, secretary 2002-2004, District level; State Level: ASNA Treasurer 2000-present, Chair Government Relations Committee.

Statement of Qualifications: 37 years of nursing practice of which the last 19 years have been in the perioperative setting. Active member of the ASNA since 1998 and prior to 1998 active in the North Carolina State Nurses Association. I have held the position of treasurer in the North Carolina State Council of Operating Room Nurses 1996-1998. Currently I am ASNA Treasurer and prior to being elected held a-position on the ASNA Finance Committee 2000-2002. As the Supervisory Nurse Consultant for Central Sterile Supply at the Naval Hospital in North Carolina, I was responsible for an operating budget of $125,000 a year and an equipment budget for $500,000.

Views of the Issues: In seeking a second term as Treasurer plan to continue to monitor the financial status of our association. We are in the midst of a nursing shortage, not only of nursing students, but also faculty. Recruitment and retention of association members is critical to the financial and viability of this association. We, as nurses, must become more politically involved because our politicians are making crucial decisions that influence the health care in this country. Safe health care, a safe work environment, standards of practice, and access to health care are but a few of the issues being discussed and decided in our state and federal legislatures. I will work towards keeping our association fiscally sound the next two years.

Commission on Professional Issues (Vote for 4)

Penelope M. Bosarge, MSN, RN, CRNP

District 3

Present Position: Teaching Faculty UAB School of Nursing

ASNA Activities:

Statement of Qualifications: As a nurse in Alabama for 36 years, I feel most qualified to work with other nurses on professional issues facing the nurses of Alabama. I have taught Women's Health Nurses Practitioners for 30 years.

Views of the Issues: Nursing shortage: Happiness at the work place is of most importance for nurses to do a good job. If the clinical site/hospital makes the job desirable they will want to go to work and stay on the job. Appropriate hours and work load are primary issues. Schools of nursing must also make the experience pleasant. Also, preparing dedicated nurses will make them work to improve working conditions by discussion and compromise with employers. Salaries consistent with the responsibility is a must in retaining nurses.

Another issue is the general passive attitudes of nurses toward their professional organization. The desire to join and participate should begin during undergraduate education. They should be encouraged to attend meetings and see how they can make a difference.

Martha G. Lavender, DSN, RN

District 4

Present Position: Deputy Program Manager-Resident Training

ASNA Activities: Alabama Alliance of Nursing Organizations (1990-1992-Chairperson); ASNA Board of Nursing Review Committee (1992-1998); ANA/ASNA Delegate (1994-1995); Consumer Task Force (1997-1999-Chair); ASNA Strategic Planning Committee (2001-2203); ASNA Nominating Committee (1994; 2001-2003).