Happy 25th Anniversary to every member of HPNA! Can you believe it has been 25 years since the incorporation of the Hospice Nurses Association? As a specialty nursing membership organization, the past 25 years have been a true testament to the dedication and commitment of the many, many members who have willingly volunteered over the years to create and grow HPNA to the vibrant organization that we are today. With your effort and support, we have accomplished much as we lead the way in palliative nursing. Our achievements include
* a dedicated all-nurse board of directors with 11 support committees
* the HPNA Leadership Development program
* nearly 300 active volunteers engaged in the work of the organization
* nearly 10,000 members (we expect to hit the 10,000 mark this year)
* 43 healthy chapters across the nation in 24 states plus 20 provisional groups in 12 additional states
* eight special interest groups
* two official journals-Journal for Hospice and Palliative Nurses (JHPN) and the Journal for Palliative Medicine (JPM)
* an active research agenda with annual Research scholars
* more than 32 fellows
* a visible presence with federal legislators
* multiple relationships with several external stakeholder organizations
* the HPNA APN mentoring program
* more than 30 educational products
* the annual assembly, cosponsored with the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
* an annual HPNA Clinical Practice Forum
* a vibrant approved educator program with more than 800 approved educators
* regional educational programming for ELNEC
* the HPNA Web site with more than 14,000 hits per month
* 18 position statements
* teaching sheets, TIP sheets, and quick information sheets
* a national office with 17 staff members
As we contemplate and reminisce about these wonderful accomplishments, we encourage you to participate in the 25th Anniversary year in some way. There are many activities planned over the upcoming year aimed at celebrating our past, enjoying the present and looking forward to the future. Here are just a few for you to consider:
* visit the history room that will be on display at the AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly in Vancouver, BC, Canada, on February 16-19, 2011, at the Leadership Weekend in July or at the Clinical Practice Forum in September held in Pittsburgh, PA
* visit http://www.hpna/25thAnniversary to read the many interesting comments made by colleagues as well as the details about the many activities underway
* add your comments to our FLICKR account
* read the monthly "Then and Now" features in each JHPN
* review the celebratory features in the bimonthly e-newsletter
* read the monthly 25th Anniversary page in the JPM
* add your thoughts and comments to the many venues available to you
HPNA's history is full of wonderful stories that illustrate what we can accomplish as nurses. We urge you to tell us your story. Our success has been driven by your support and your loyalty. We are very grateful to you, our member, and we are committed to an exciting future.
Finally, take the time to write a note to the HPNA Board of Directors expressing your appreciation for the great work that has been accomplished as well as making a commitment to providing your continued support for the great work that lies ahead.