(Pictured Above: [Left] Ohio Student Nurses Association – Kathy Fernandez Advisor (and ANA-Ohio member) Sally Morgan and Raya Cupler, ANA-Ohio members 10-8-23; [Right] Ohio PeriAnesthesia Conference – President Kim Place and Sally Morgan 10-14-23)
As chair of the ANA-Ohio Outreach and Engagement Committee, I am pleased to announce that our membership continues to grow, representing 81 of the 88 Ohio counties. I have personally met with nurses from around Ohio who are seeking the opportunity to join a transparent organization that represents all nurses. Several nursing organizations have reached out to learn more about ANA-Ohio and potential collaborative opportunities. We look forward to continuing to support the Ohio Student Nurses Association and other student nursing organizations in the state.
ANA-Ohio was formed with the vision of being the trusted, forward-thinking, and inclusive professional organization for all Ohio nurses through advocacy, leadership, and education. Aware of the many challenges facing Ohio nurses, ANA-Ohio believes it is vital to establish collaborative channels and partnerships with nursing organizations, healthcare entities, and other groups in addressing issues of importance to nurses and the public we serve. With that in mind, ANA-Ohio is announcing the Inaugural Ohio Nurse Summit to be held in Spring 2024. Presidents and executive directors of Ohio nursing organizations will be invited to convene as a collective group to discuss critical issues facing Ohio nurses. Our first priority in planning the Nurse Summit is to compile an inclusive list of nursing organizations and their leadership. If your nursing organization has not been contacted or you have changes in leadership, please contact us at membershipengagement@ana-ohio.org so you can participate in this vital discussion. We will be extending formal invitations with details of the event in the near future.
Recognizing the value of organizational collaboration and partnerships, ANA-Ohio has begun working with organizations to address issues and challenges that impact nurses. During one of the tabletop discussions at the September annual meeting, members generated short term and long-term goals for developing partnerships. These goals will be incorporated into the ANA-Ohio strategic plan. One exemplar that highlights how ANA-Ohio members form partnerships is serving on various boards, commissions, and organizations that impact health. ANA-Ohio applauds its members who serve and/or are willing to serve. The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) was created with the mission to improve health by increasing the number of nurses on decision-making boards and other bodies. With the initial national goal of 10,000 nurses on boards by 2020, Ohio was tasked with the goal of 497. Ohio surpassed that goal and currently has 946 Ohio nurses who have listed their board service on the NOBC website. Please visit the NOBC website to enter your board service to be counted or to register your willing-ness to serve at nursesonboardscoalition.org
ANA-Ohio wants to hear from you. If you have collaboration ideas let me know by emailing membershipengage-ment@ana-ohio.org . Our history provides strong evidence that when we work together, we can accomplish more than by ourselves. We look forward to seeing you this spring at the Ohio Nurse Summit.
