CALL TO CONVENTION & ANNUAL MEETING

Where will you be on October 19^th, 2005?  How about on the 20^th and the 21st?

The leadership of nursing in Georgia will be in Columbus, Georgia –to discuss, plan and execute the future of nursing within our great state!  Our theme – Fostering Community Among Nurses - will work to bring all areas of nursing together.  This gathering of nursing will discuss how to best focus our professional organization and develop an innovative restructure to meet the expectations and demands of a multigenerational and technologically advanced membership society.  As nurses, it is essential that we work together –we have many passions with many diverse goals, yet we all need to speak with one voice to advance our profession.  The goal of bringing all the areas of nursing together – to celebrate and build on our strengths – is ambitious –yet very necessary.  The Georgia Nurses Association is in the process of assessing what is working well and thereby should be preserved while making recommendations to modernize our approach in other areas.  We believe this will enhance our offerings to meet the needs of more nurses in Georgia. It is important that all professional registered nurses be part of this dialogue!

All nurses have a stake in being part of this modernization.  The time is now to make your voice heard.  This convention will be addressing how the Georgia Nurses Association will be working to bring all of the different communities within nursing together –to find our common passion within nursing! 

There will be a valuable pre-conference workshop on Safe Patient Handling, by the Clinical Director for the Diligent Program, Linda Haney, RN, MPH, COHN-S, CSP. Nurses continue to be one of the highest professions with back injuries –then add the knee, hip, wrist and shoulder strains and the aging workforce and all the long hours that nurses’ work!!  It is very important that each nurse understand the importance of learning the latest education, tips and methods of protecting your co-workers, your students and yourself! GNA’s Workplace Advocacy Commission will sponsor this workshop and as a basis will utilize information from ANA’s ergonomics program, “Handle with Care”. Explore ways of adopting a successful safe patient handling program in your facility.

Do you know how many impaired nurses need the assistance provided by Georgia Nurses Association’s Nurse Advocacy Program (NAP)?  The Eggs and Issues Breakfast on October 18^th – will discuss this very important program. GNA/GNF led the nation as being the first in the country to develop and provide an impaired nurse program. You may know nurses who have been helped by this wonderful group of volunteers, whether the nurse had problems with drugs or alcohol.  Come hear the latest information about GNA’s NAP program and similar programs that have developed around the country. Mike Harkreader, MS, RN; Executive Director from the Tennessee Professional Assistance Program will lead a panel discussion on this important topic. We hope to dialogue with our members about ways to ensure that appropriate human and financial resources are available for this important work in the future.

How are other professionals meeting their evolving communication challenges and gaining access to the knowledge they need? Our keynote speaker, Jennie Lazarus, MLIS, will share with attendees how her association is moving toward digital networking, knowledge sharing and convening in smaller communities of practice. She will offer a vision of how GNA could evolve to better meet the needs of its members.

Our CE luncheon speaker on Thursday, Jackie Egans, RN, will tell us why “If it is to be, It’s up to me”. Jackie is a nurse from Columbus who came highly recommended by the local convention committee. Friday’s CE luncheon is entitled, the “Joy of Work”. Through a humorous and fun approach, Jody Urquhart will inspire us to be focused and productive by nourishing the meaning, fun and joy of our work.

Possibly no other Georgia city is as well-suited as Columbus to be the site of the 2005 Georgia Nurses Convention.  The “River City” is steeped in history and tradition. Join us as we reflect on our nursing history and tradition while we contemplate our future.  GNA’s 98th Annual Meeting and House of Delegates is the place you want to be this October 19th-21^st.

You ask “why should I attend?”  You should attend because your voice is needed as the association considers changes that will move us into the next one hundred years.  Your input is valuable and all members are urged to participate in this important venture.

Visit the web site (www.georgianurses.org) often as information related to the convention will be updated periodically between now and October. A draft of proposed new bylaws and action reports will be available online in advance of the meeting. Online registration will be available later this summer.  If you are a GNA member, the popular online voting process for electing candidates for office will also be available.  Keep an eye out for email and postal alerts about when these will go on the website (www.georgianurses.org).

I look forward to catching up with friends from all over our great state and look forward to meeting so many more outstanding, dedicated nurses.  If you have never attended a House of Delegates –this may be your last chance –so pack your bags and join me in Columbus!!!