District One report (Northwest Nevada) winter 2002

Nevada RNformation, Feb 2003 by Razor, Beatrice (Betty)

District One continues to meet at alternating sites - Reno and Carson City; this allows members to attend a meeting close to their work or home. Reminders are mailed to all NNA members in the district. All nurses are welcome to attend. My contact information is below if you have any questions.

The district hosted the NNA annual meeting at the Washoe Health Center. Thank you to those who made the extra effort to attend and voice your opinions on restructuring and pending legislative issues for 2003 and the other issues discussed with the membership.

The districts' first attempt at a "legislative roundtable" was a huge success. Our main goal was for nurses to understand how approachable your State Senators and Assemblypersons are; that they admire and respect nurses, and have an open-door policy when you want to discuss your concerns.

Please avail yourself of this opportunity and e-mail or call them; inform them you are their constituent (they represent those who elect them) and as a nurse you may be helpful when a health care issues needs clarification. It was a fun evening discussing how the legislature actually works and a review of some of the current health care and tax issues that will be addressed in the coming session. We certainly wish to thank the following legislators for taking time from their tight schedule to attend: State Senators Mark Amodei and Randolph Townsend, and State Assemblywomen Dawn Gibbons and Shelia Leslie. We may consider having another roundtable after the 2003 legislative session so keep a look out for the date and location.

Because the 2003 legislative session may bring forth some controversial legislation it is vital that everyone become involved with the discussions on these issues and when necessary provide testimony. We encourage you to attend the district meetings prior to the legislative sessions. Can you provide us with a modality of communieating (either e-mail or Fax) vital issues to you? Then you can voice your opinion to legislators on specific issues of concern when the need arises. Remember each of you can be a force for change, but in order to be heard you have to voice your opinions to those who make and change the laws that impact you.

The District One Holiday dinner was a wonderful way to kick off this very special season of giving and caring. We were very pleased to have our recipient of the WNCC scholarship, Trisha and her husband as our guests. Virginia Enns was honored with the President's award. A well deserved honor.

The program to promote nursing in schools has not as yet materialized. Are you willing to spend an hour of your time once every five to six months informing middle and high school youngsters about nursing careers? The presentation for nursing schools on NNA goals and programs, plus current issues in nursing within the state has been initiated. We could use additional assistance. This usually takes about an hour during the last term of the nursing school semester. Sharon Dirlam is chairman for this important project.

The District will continue to encourage nominations for the annual Nurses of Achievement Award. Nomination forms will be mailed to all members as soon as they are available. Please honor one of your peers with a nomination. The Nurses of Achievement Award Ceremony will be held May 2, 2003, at Harrah's in Reno.

Beatrice (Betty) Razor, President of NNA District One can be reached at (775) 841-2208 or etbetty@worldnet.att.net