May 11, 2011 - From the President

May 11, 2011 - From the President

2011 Nurses Week Celebration - The PNASC Way

PNASC is known for its "Hall of Famers" at least, since the inception of Nursing Excellence Awards in 1997 during Pat Hoerth 's term as PNASC President. Since then and for the last 14 years, the tradition goes on to have a life of its own every time PNASC celebrates the excellent contribution of its members during Nurses' Week. And what makes this year's Nurses' Week celebration unique are the addition of three other events: Educational Seminar, General Assembly Meeting and the Excellence Award, hence 3- in-1 (three events in one day) – actually four with the add-on silent auction, as fun(d) raising event.

Event #1 – Educational Seminar: Legislative Engagement – Leading Change and Advancing Health (3 CEH)

Sonia Sabado, MSN, RN, FNP-BC , PNASC's Chair of Legislative Committee, presented "Nursing's Role in Legislation", a fresh topic right off her trip to the State Capital to attend the RN Lobby Day. She encouraged nurses to write/call legislators to support a bill. Additionally, she simplified a daunting topic with her algorithm on how a bill becomes a law

Monica Weisbrich, BSN, RN, Director, Legislative Focus Group, ANA/C dissected the Institute of Medicine report, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health" Four Key Messages and Eight Recommendations. Specifically interesting is the Nurse Practitioner's role in Primary Care.

Maria Gonzales, DPA, RN, MSN, NE-BC, PNASC' Chair of Education Committee, got all ears with her, "So You Want to be a Leader." Her passion to teach overflowed as she gave examples after examples to prove her point.

Event #2 – General Assembly Meeting

Officially opened after lunch. It was started off, as usual, with a minute meditation led by Maria Trias, Chair of Archives Committee. Then followed by President's report using the SWOT format (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat). President's report highlighted strengths in membership, engagement of Executive Board (EB) and Advisory Council (AC), fiscal fitness, community outreach among others. And Identified Sub-chapter formation as an opportunity yet to happen. Competing priorities and legacy were considered threats.

Each Committee Chair took turn in reporting the SWOTs on behalf of their Committees. And what is unique with TEAM 2010-2012 is each committee has a dedicated Advisor. Most have identified same fundamental strengths i.e., committed members and Advisers, as well as competing priorities as threats.

Proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws that were previously reviewed and approved by the EB were presented to and ratified by the general membership following parliamentary procedure.

Event #3 – Excellence Award: Save the Best for Last!

This year, only two categories (Clinical and Administration) passed the Program and Awards stringent selection process. Rightly so. "We have a reputation to uphold" according to the Vice President and Awards Chair, Warlie Galzote. The deserving candidates are Medi Cereno, MHA, RN, CCRN for Excellence in Administration and Minerva Novak, BSN, RN for Excellence in Clinical.

Another interesting thing about Nurses' Week celebration this year is the back to back celebration of Mother's Day! What a powerhouse! So when the planners of this year's Nurses Week celebration packed the three events together – it was an easy sell! Because mothers have mastered the art of multi- tasking and packing activities together equates to "saving time, money and energy" . And multi-tasking we did. During lunch, AEGON Financial Services provided us with educational tools about financial planning, money management and the like while LGB Jewelry had Mother's Day gift ideas on the rack, not to mention Mindy's silent auction of wine selection!

What an exciting day to spend with peers, family and friends, accruing CE hours and shopping time on the side?

Soo what's next? Let's gear up for PNASC's Golden Jubilee Save the date 11/19/11!

Sarla Duller, MN, RN, CCRN President 2010-2012