Board Update

Gail Bagwell, DNP APRN CNS
NANN President

I’m so thrilled to be writing this as COVID cases are declining across the country and spring has finally arrived here in Ohio. Despite the renewed hope this season brings, I find my thoughts drifting to the challenges felt throughout the world, most notably those being experienced in Ukraine. As we watch our Ukrainian counterparts struggle to care for the most fragile patients, I’m sure you agree with me that there must be something we can do to help.

NANN recently shared an email with all members including a list of charitable organizations in which your donations will directly impact the people of Ukraine. In addition, Project Hope Humanitarian Assistance to Ukraine and surrounding countries has reached out to NANN, COINN, and the entire neonatal and pediatric nursing community to identify and support volunteers interested in traveling to Poland to support the NICU and pediatrics units there. Please stay tuned for more information for a call of volunteers to assist our colleagues in Eastern Europe caring for the influx of sick and injured babies and children from Ukraine.

Thank you to so many of you for participating in NANN’s January survey regarding your plans for conference this year. We learned so much from your responses, most importantly that there is still a great amount of uncertainty when it comes to your ability to travel this fall. The NANN Board of Directors met and determined that the 38th Annual Conference this September 14-17 will be a hybrid event, offering both in-person and virtual viewing options. All attendees will have access to all sessions through December 31, 2022.

I know that I speak for many of us when I say that we are ready to get back together in person and we hope that many of you are able to join us in Las Vegas this fall. We’ll be staying at the recently renovated Paris Hotel & Casino, located right in the heart of the Vegas strip. We’ll experience engaging networking events and the latest neonatal education. We’ll connect with leaders in our profession and the industry partners who so generously support the work we do. NANN will also stay closely connected to COVID-19 safety measure recommendations and share precautions we’re taking with our attendees well in advance. Simply put, it will be a great, safe time and we can’t wait to see you!

However, we know challenges still exist when it comes to travel, so we will offer a virtual option as well. Several sessions will be livestreamed allowing our virtual and live audiences to connect via the conference chat. All sessions will be recorded for on-demand watching as well, so you won’t have to miss a thing! Registration for in person and virtual attendance opens on May 31, 2022. Register early to secure your spot!

The next several months will be busy as we plan for our hybrid annual conference. The Board of Directors and NANNP Council will meet next month in person for the first time since 2019 for our Midyear meeting, focusing on further development of our strategic plan. Being together in person is something we all miss – there’s nothing like the invigoration that comes from gathering and discussing what NANN can do to continue to improve the lives of nurses, our patients, and their families. We will be thinking about each you and your needs as we develop opportunities and offerings for NANN.

We need each other and our connection through NANN now more than ever! Until my next update, I wish you all the best.

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