During the past year, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) Board of Directors and National Office staff have been actively engaged in developing the Association's 2003-2006 strategic plan. This work has been invigorating. We have reflected on our accomplishments since the founding of the Hospice Nurses Association in 1986, and on our tremendous growth in membership over the past 2 years. We currently are nearly 5500 members strong. To accomplish our goals during the next 3 years, we will need HPNA members to participate actively in this important work. I encourage each of you to assess how you can best contribute to our strategic plan, which brings to life HPNA's mission statement: leading the way promoting excellence in end-of-life nursing by
* Promoting the highest professional standards of hospice and palliative nursing
* Studying, researching, and exchanging information, experiences, and ideas leading to improved nursing practice
* Encouraging nurses to specialize in the practices of hospice and palliative nursing
* Fostering the professional development of nurses, individually and collectively
* Responding to the changing needs of HPNA members and the populations they represent
* Promoting the recognition of hospice and palliative care as essential components of the healthcare system.
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