Serving as President of the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN) has been an extreme honor, and it has been my great privilege to serve the membership. I thought I would be writing this letter for the Plastic Surgical Nursing (PSN) journal a year ago; however, because of the continued pandemic secondary to COVID-19, I was tasked by the ISPAN Board of Directors and our management company, Professional Relations and Research Institute (PRRI), to continue my leadership role as President for an additional year. Saying that I said yes easily would be a lie. Knowing I had both professional and personal commitments pulling me in many different directions, I struggled with this decision. Based on what the next school year was looking like in September 2020, I very much had to consider if continuing in the role of President was even possible. I had a child that would need to complete virtual schooling, another child that could be sent home at any minute from day care due to exposure, and an aging mother who was requiring more of my time. I was building a new home and would be moving from my current home. Like many of you, I also had the stress associated with continuing to work as a health care professional during these unprecedented times.
After a great deal of consideration, I agreed to continue my presidency, with some of my responsibilities to be shared with Gerrie Obi, the ISPAN President-Elect. Gerrie graciously agreed. As much as I have enjoyed my presidency and being your leader, I must also admit that after 12 years of ongoing service, I had been looking forward to having some downtime from ISPAN. I had been a member of the ISPAN Program Committee from 2008 to 2013, served as ISPAN Treasurer from 2013 to 2016, served as ISPAN President-Elect from 2016 to 2018, and then as ISPAN President since 2018. Knowing I still had 2 more years to serve on the ISPAN Board of Directors as Past-President, I was ready to take a back seat.
By the time this journal goes to publication, we will have completed a successful in-person meeting (in Atlanta, GA) for the first time in 2 years! I will have officially stepped down as President and will be moving into my new role as Past-President.
I want to thank the ISPAN membership, the ISPAN Board of Directors, personnel from PRRI, my supportive husband, and my children (who gave up stories at bedtime to allow me to take calls) and my mom (who passed in January 2021 and also served as President of her Society) for believing in my leadership ability, my tenacity, and my goal for ISPAN to further our mission to be the definitive voice for plastic and aesthetic nurses.
I want to finish my term as ISPAN President by encouraging each and every plastic and aesthetic nurse to become a member of ISPAN. Because of the perpetual change in the field of nursing, joining a professional organization that devotes time to the personal development of its members is essential. I also want to encourage all plastic and aesthetic nurses to become certified by completing the Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) or Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN) examination. Certification validates our specialized knowledge and helps us practice with a greater degree of competence. Finally, I want to encourage all ISPAN members to think about how they can best serve our Society. Nurses who serve on committees and boards can be leaders who promote change and advance the mission of ISPAN.
So again, thank you. I appreciate each and every one of you.
Amanda Bailey, MSN, ACNP-BC, CWS, CPSN, ISPAN-F
ISPAN Past-President