I ended my first president's message by noting that I was confident you had elected board members who are passionate about continually evaluating trauma nursing needs and providing tools for you to improve your role no matter where you work, what role you fulfill, or which credentials you carry behind your name. I begin this president's message, my final message, with assurance that the Society of Trauma Nurses' (STN) past board followed this vision. The vision was incorporated in the new strategic plan, which is transitioned to this year's board of directors who will continue to carry the torch in advancing STN as the premiere trauma nursing organization. I would like to highlight a few initiatives STN established this past year that are paramount to the STN mission.
Part of STN's strategic plan is to build relationships with other organizations. We collaborate with many organizations and there are two current initiatives that we support on local, regional, and national levels.
Throughout our spring conference, there were multiple opportunities for registrants to attend a Stop The Bleed train-the-trainer session. This provided the opportunity for many nurses from across the country and internationally to return to their organizations and communities prepared to roll out a Stop The Bleed initiative.
In support of A National Trauma Care System: Integrating Military and Civilian Trauma Systems to Achieve Zero Preventable Deaths After Injury, STN has developed and published a position statement in support of the recommendations. Nurse members of STN currently have a presence in refining the recommendations, influencing how they could be implemented, and developing an advocacy platform.
In partnership with the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) and the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants, we developed a position statement that outlines the optimization of advanced practitioners (advanced practitioner registered nurses and physician assistants) in trauma and critical care. The position statement provides insight into the history, scope of practice, and opportunities for optimal utilization of the advanced practitioners in trauma, critical care, and acute care surgical services.
The newly formed clinical director-at-large position was created to enhance and advance educational opportunities outside of the established STN courses. This past year, an educational needs survey was completed, results compiled, and a task force was created. The call for member engagement in the development of educational opportunities was overwhelming. Those who have volunteered have indicated their area(s) of expertise, and the next step is the development of specific educational modules. The knowledge within this working group supersedes more than we expected, and we are well positioned to produce clinical educational offerings for our bedside nurses.
Last year, we discussed assessing and compiling common criteria regarding trauma program managers. A work group is engaged, and a role delineation study is being developed.
The establishment of the TCRN certification examination remains a highlight for STN. The preparatory course and app are constantly evaluated and enhanced to provide all trauma nurses the opportunity for success in completing the TCRN examination.
We concluded this year by celebrating STN's 20th anniversary conference. Various games and special events were hosted to celebrate the milestone. Activities included the addition of the inaugural STN 5K run/walk event in which proceeds went to the Missouri Interstate Disaster Medical Collaborative (IDMC). This venue provided us an opportunity to give back to the St. Louis community. The IDMC is a national organization with a branch in Missouri. The IDMC is equipped to respond to a disaster location where medical care may be needed. With the collaborative efforts among nursing and physician trauma organizations to enhance emergency preparedness efforts, the IDMC correlated well with this mission.
The establishment of a research grant funding program proved to be successful with several abstract submissions. The number and quality of abstract submissions supported the value of the newly developed research division, and as an organization, we will continue to provide this opportunity.
The previously noted highlights encompass only a small portion of the accomplishments made by our committees, task forces, work groups, and our many collaborative efforts. It is evident that STN embodies the definition of trauma nursing across the continuum from prehospital through rehabilitation, from pediatric to geriatric patients and all-inclusive of clinical nurses, administrative nurses, nurse educators, injury prevention nurses, and the list continues. The Society of Trauma Nurses has shown exponential growth this past year and surpassed 3,000 active members. This reflects that STN is making an impact on trauma nursing and supports perhaps a greater effort in nurses who are self-identifying themselves as trauma nurses.
The success of STN as an organization is directly impacted by the increased engagement of our members and an enthusiastic board that works tirelessly with the committees and working groups. Although my tenure as president has come to a close, I remain devoted to the STN membership. I have grown and learned to be a better leader, mentor, and person because of you, the STN members. During my opening remarks a year ago, I challenged everyone to determine why you are a trauma nurse and/or why you remain a trauma nurse. Each one of us is motivated as a trauma nurse in a different way, but we all stand together at the end of the day because we are willing to care for the most horrific injuries with compassion, understanding, and determination to always provide optimal care. These defining characteristics apply to the all of us as clinicians, leaders, and administrators. We all are trauma nurses, and we belong to the only trauma nursing organization.
I again express deep gratitude for your support this past year. In addition, our managing firm, Agentis, makes the coordination and organization of the STN efforts possible and is a pillar to our success as well. I again thank the board members, committee chairs, committee members, work groups, and the general membership for supporting and carrying the STN mission and vision forward.