President's Message

Lori Brittingham, MSN RN CNS AACNS-N

A few weeks ago, our neonatal nursing community had the opportunity to gather for NANN’s 32nd Annual Educational Conference. There was a little something for everyone in Palm Springs! We learned from respected neonatal thought leaders and from each other at the paper and poster sessions. We were inspired by parent speakers who shared their personal and compelling stories. We had the opportunity to visit with old friends and make new connections in the exhibit hall, at the #NANN 2016 interactive coloring mural, and during the return of NANN’s popular conference party! And we enjoyed some downtime at the pool and at Palm Springs VillageFest. A special thank you to NANN’s Program Planning Committee, led by Heather Goodall, and to the NANN staff for delivering a truly memorable conference experience.

On behalf of the NANN Board of Directors, I am very pleased to announce that NANN is partnering with the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses to host the highly regarded Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), a selective, formal leadership training experience. This 1 year-long program offers training on a variety of leadership and management topics, increases awareness of advocacy and legislative action, enhances participants’ professional network, and provides opportunities for future NANN leadership.

NANN travels to Cuba in March 2017! NANN has been invited by the President of the Cuban Society of Nursing to organize a delegation to visit Cuba, share information with our Cuban counterparts, and to learn about the role of Cuban nurses in healthcare delivery. This unique experience is being planned through Academic Travel Abroad, and all NANN nurses are encouraged to inquire about this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Earlier this year, NANN partnered with the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) to take on the compelling clinical challenges of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). VON’s NAS Universal Training Program, endorsed by NANN, is available to NANN members and their units at discounted rates. This evidence-based program already has been completed by 52 centers who have earned the VON Center of Excellence in NAS Education and Training designation. Those centers are well on their way to improving outcomes for these vulnerable infants and their families.

Please visit the NANN website for additional information on these opportunities, and all things NANN!

For more than 30 years, NANN has supported its members and the neonatal nursing community by shaping nursing practice, education, research, and professional development. I am honored to serve as NANN’s next president, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for NANN and for neonatal nurses across the globe. Be sure to take advantage of all NANN has to offer.

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