Membership News

Alabama Nurse,  Jun-Aug 2006  by Van deMeer, Jeanette

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

I Stand For Nursing

In August 1962, I graduated from Druid City Hospital School of Nursing. So, I've been active in the nursing profession for almost 44 years and plan to continue as long as I have something to contribute. During my tenure in nursing, I have been an active ASN A/ANA member, except for the financially lean years associated with advancing my education. It never occurred to me not be an ASNA/ANA member. As an emergency room nurse, ICU/CCU nurse and a home health nurse, I joined those specialty associations... but in addition to ASNA/ANA membership.

Allow me to tell you why active membership in ASNA/ANA is important to me:

1. ASNA/ANA provides a forum to examine and address issues in all areas of nursing and the role of nursing within the broader health care delivery system. My voice would be one "crying in the wilderness", but through the recognized and influential state and national nursing organization... my voice is multiplied.

2. It takes time and knowledge to stay abreast of all issues that might affect us as nurses and consumers, plus monitoring the State legislature. Both ASNA/ANA have individuals on board who continually monitor health care issues and proposed legislation and keep us informed. Then, we just have to contact our legislators and make them aware of the pros/cons related to certain issues and any proposed legislation (using information provided by ASNA/ANA). ASNA also takes the initiative and works with legislators to draft bills that would improve nursing and protect nurses.

3. ASNA/ANA has numerous committees such as Ethics and Human Rights, Continuing Education, Government Affairs, Awards, Strategic Planning, etc. By serving on one or more of these committees, I have the opportunity to meet and get to know other nursing colleagues and to become more informed. I also get to contribute my "two cents worth" in how the organization functions.

4. Both organizations have websites with helpful information and links to other sites. ASNA and ANA provide written materials each month to members to keep them informed.

So, please join me in becoming an active member of ASNA/ANA. You can join both for the low monthly fee of $23.92/$12.21/$6.36 and have it painlessly automatically drafted from your bank account. Should you decide that you only want to be a member of ASNA. that option is now available for only $15.08/month. My colleagues at the Capstone College of Nursing hear me say this all the time . . . "If you don't become informed and participate, then you deserve what you get!"

District 3 Awards Scholarships

District 3 ASNA recently awarded scholarships for the 2005-2006 year. Scholarships in the amount of $1500 each were awarded. All nursing programs in the District 3 area received announcements and applications for the scholarships. We had a total of 36 applications this year for scholarships. All of the scholarship candidates had impressive credentials and the decision was difficult.

Bethany Jones is a student at UAB School of Nursing, currently taking junior level, clinical nursing courses. Bethany is in the Honors Nursing Program led by Dr Ellen Buckner and currently has a 4.0 grade point average. Bethany is awarded this scholarship with high recommendations from a physician with whom she worked as she explored nursing as a career and from her academic advisor at UAB.

Rachel Saucer is an undergraduate student at Samford University, School of Nursing. Rachel is currently beginning the clinical nursing coursework of her nursing education. Rachel has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout her undergraduate education and was highly recommended by a faculty member and an administrator at Samford University. Rachel has recently been nominated as an Ambassador for Samford University.

Linda Gibson is currently an Instructor at UAB School of Nursing in the Undergraduate Pediatrie Nursiing Course. Linda has several years experience as a Pdiatrie Nurse Practitioner and is currently completing coursework in the PhD of Nursing Program at UAB School of Nursing. Linda has been an active member of ASNA and is awarded this scholarship with outstanding recommendations from former colleagues.

We are very pleased to provide these scholarship awards to these very deserving individuals.

District Meeting Notices

Baldwin County Nurses Society

Hurricane Katrina destroyed the BCNS meeting place. Until a new location is obtained, meetings are on hold.

Contact Linda Fontenot at 251-621-9440 or fontenotl@ garthlink.net for more information.

Lee County Nurses Society

Health Resource Center @ East Alabama Medical Center.

Contact Sharon Drakeford at 334-745-6437, ext. 5532 or sharon_drakerford@eamc.org or Trish Block at 334-705-3264 or 334-705-3778 for more information.

Macon County Nurses Society

1st Tuesday of each month

Basil O'Connor Hall.Tuskegee University

12:30 p.m.

Contact Maggie Antoine at 334-725-3257 for more information.

Mobile County Nurses Society

3rd Thursday of each month

University of South Alabama Medical Center