2015 AWARDS
The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NANNP) just closed out an exciting year. With 7394 members, NANN's membership remains steady. The association has 34 active chapters, with approximately 45% of members belonging to a chapter. Throughout the year, the association focuses on our members, and during the 31st Annual Educational Conference in Dallas, Texas, NANN and NANNP recognized the following members for their commitment to neonatal nursing:
Small Grant Recipients: Thao Griffith, PhD(c), BSN, RN; Lauren M. Head, BSN, RN; and Dorothy Vittner, PhD(c), MSN, BSN
Research Abstract Award: Kate McGinnis, BSN, RNC-NIC
Clinical Abstract Award: Barbara Cirrito, BSN, RNC-NIC
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Excellence Award: Suzanne Staebler, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, FAANP
Leadership Award: Judy Vitali, BSN, RNC-NIC, CIME, CPFI, CHBE
Distinguished Service Award: Donna Dowling, PhD, RN
Navigator Award: Shakira Henderson, PhD(c), DNP, MS, MPH, RNC-NIC, IBCLC
Robyn Main Excellence in Clinical Practice Award: Michelle Nicoli, RNC-CNRP IV
Lifetime Achievement Award: Robin L. Bissinger, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, FAAN
In addition to these members, NANN also recognizes our chapters each year. Individual chapter awards are bestowed on the basis of membership recruitment and retention, community service, fundraising efforts, chapter communication, advocacy, and educational offerings. The group that embodies all 6 factors is named Chapter of the Year. The following chapters were recognized:
Membership Recruitment and Retention Award: Delaware Valley Chapter
Community Service and Fundraising Award: Southeastern Michigan Chapter
Advocacy, Communications, and Education Award: South East Florida Chapter
Chapter of the Year Award: Central California Chapter
At each annual educational conference, NANN recognizes the chapter with the most members in attendance through the Chapter Challenge. The 2015 winner was the Fort Worth Texas Chapter.
NANN congratulates all of its chapters and members!
31ST ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
In October, NANN and NANNP welcomed 706 attendees to their 31st annual educational conference. Dallas, Texas, hosted big ideas, big opportunities, and big fun! Entertaining events included a photo booth, speed networking, chapter networking, and a party shuttle to local hot spots. There was an enormous amount of learning, too! Session topics included genomics, intrauterine drug exposure, the surgical neonate, global health, and the infant microbiome. There were paper sessions and phenomenal general sessions that inspired attendees to change how they lead and how they practice.
In the first general session, Dr Britt Berrett encouraged attendees to create positive change through the creation of exceptional teams. His presentation reviewed 10 specific themes to create positive change, which also are outlined in his coauthored book Patients Come Second: Leading Change by Changing the Way You Lead.
The second-general session focused on psychosocial challenges faced by parents during and after NICU admission. This session was presented by Kelli Kelley, BJ, a former neonatal intensive care unit mother who founded and directs the nonprofit parent support group Hand to Hold. The group's mission is to navigate resources and provide support to parents of premature and medically fragile infants. Visit http://handtohold.org for additional information.
The 31st annual educational conference ended with the vibrant Virginia Beeson, MSN, BSN, NEA-BC, USN (Ret). Beeson motivated the audience to create a plan to implement a change within their institution on the basis of one thing they learned at the conference. By focusing on one change at a time, neonatal healthcare providers can overcome institutional barriers and cultural changes.
The NANN board of directors thanks the conference planning committee, speakers, and vendors for another successful conference.
NEW NANN PRODUCT
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: Guidelines for Practice, 3rd edition-authored by Mary Mason Wyckoff, PhD, NNP-BC, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN, FAANP, and Elizabeth Sharpe, DNP, ARNP, NNP-BC, VA-BC-has been released. A 74-page document with the latest information on peripherally inserted central catheters, the concise, evidence-based content reflects the latest practice, education, and techniques. It includes graded practice recommendations, common complications and their detection and prevention, new management strategies, and evolving technology.
To purchase this document, visit NANN's online store at http://www.nann.org.