A New Year’s Message from Lynette Apen, OADN President

As we welcome a new year, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable journey that has brought OADN to this moment, and looking ahead with great anticipation for what lies before us. Our story began in 1984, when OADN was created in response to a real and pressing threat to extinguish a pathway that had long provided access and opportunity for individuals whose lives did not align with traditional routes to a university degree.

For countless students, particularly those in rural communities or whose personal circumstances called for a more accessible way forward, the associate degree in nursing pathway opened doors. It offered not only entry into the nursing profession, but also the possibility of economic mobility, personal confidence, and a foundation on which to build fulfilling professional lives. This legacy of access and empowerment remains at the heart of who we are today.

As we look toward celebrating OADN’s 50th anniversary in 2034, we are reminded that milestones do not happen by coincidence. They require intention, planning, and a shared commitment to the work ahead. Just as we plan the work of our classrooms, clinical partnerships, and programs, we must also plan the continued advancement of our association.

We also know that, like every organization, OADN faces rising costs. And yet, in the face of these realities, 2025 was a banner year. We celebrated record membership growth, and for the first time since our founding, OADN now represents the majority of ADN programs across the nation. This historic achievement affirms that our message resonates and our mission is shared. Membership in OADN continues to provide tremendous value. Through your membership, OADN gives you:

• A unified national advocacy voice advancing the ADN pathway, including our work to speak to Congress with a one-voice message on the urgent need to reauthorize Title VIII funding and challenge federal policies that limit nurses access to advanced education.
• The power of connection, through robust year-round community engagement and the unparalleled networking, learning, and support found at our annual convention.
• Meaningful financial benefits, including an $180 discount for each faculty member attending the OADN Convention.

Most importantly, membership offers a professional home rooted in shared purpose, community, and collective momentum.

As we embark on this joint journey guided by OADN’s Strategic Direction 2025–2028, we are eager to learn how you see yourselves growing with and through OADN. Your insights, participation, and vision help shape the trajectory of our work, ensuring that our direction reflects the needs of ADN educators and students nationwide.

To maintain our current level of programming, advocacy, and member support, while keeping pace with the rising cost of doing business and positioning OADN for thoughtful expansion, we must plan responsibly for the future. With this in mind, I want to share that OADN Program Membership dues will increase to $695 in January 2027.

We provide this information now so that programs have ample time to incorporate the new dues into 2027 budget planning. Our goal is to continue offering the high-quality services you rely on today, while strengthening our capacity to meet emerging needs in the years ahead.

As we step into a new year, I am filled with gratitude for each of you, your leadership, your commitment to the ADN pathway, and the support you offer your students, your communities, and one another. Together, we honor where OADN began, celebrate where we stand today, and move forward with purpose toward a bright and promising future.

With warm regards and renewed enthusiasm for the year ahead,

Lynette Apen, DNP, RN, CNS, CNE
President, Organization for Associate Degree Nursing