OADN Seeks Committee And Task Force Volunteers For 2021

Get Involved with OADN in 2021!

Interested in getting involved at the OADN national level. Here is your opportunity for engagement in very important committee and task force work.

Opportunities and Application Form Here!

2020 Update: Delta Theta Chapter at Jersey College, Tampa

The Sustainable Living Project is an urban farm and education center where people can be immersed in the world of sustainability. It consists of a 1 acre plot and houses 34 grow beds (10 of which are dedicated to a Veteran volunteers), 3 sheds, a water catchment patio with solar panels, a greenhouse with aquaponics, a chicken coop, bee hives and a 10 stall compost station. There are also monthly on-site education classes on sustainability and healthy living, partnerships with local elementary schools to foster a healthful, eco-friendly lifestyle in the next generation and disbursement of fresh, organic food to people in need. The Jersey College, Tampa Alpha Delta Nu Chapter inductees, Brandon Joseph and Hanna Butsko, recognize the direct correlation between a balanced, nutritious diet and the prevention/intervention of disease. They also understand that nurses play an integral role in health promotion and thus, support efforts to bring healthy information and produce to our local community. They decided to partner with The Sustainable Living Project primarily because of the disbursement of organic food to the community and its outreach to children. Teaching the youth about the importance of urban agriculture and organic eating is a vital part of preventing future diseases exacerbated by poor lifestyle habits. They look forward to continuing our partnership and bringing healthy food and information to our local community.

Message from the CEO – January 2021

Donna MeyerDear OADN Members:

As I write my first message to you in the new year of 2021, I cannot help but take a deep sigh with the conclusion of 2020. When preparing to write this message, I reviewed last year’s message never realizing my concluding words would be so imminent in 2020.

One year ago, I said to each of you, “I think we are all frequently reminded of the fragility and preciousness of life, and so in conclusion, my wish for each of you is ultimately good health!” At that time, I had no idea we would be faced with the greatest global pandemic we had ever encountered; nurses as front-line workers would provide care from the essence of their soul, nursing education would pivot to a totally different modality of education always keeping students at the forefront, and the way of life we were accustomed would be disrupted and forever changed.

Throughout this past year, OADN has attempted to be accountable to member needs with various initiatives to guide and assist through these tumultuous times. The OADN COVID-19 Task Force generated resources to provide innovative ideas and strategies. This task force will continue to meet and produce much needed information. Under the leadership of the Chief Operating Officer, the OADN Simulation Task Force in partnership with Unbound Medicine has created OADN Virtual Simulation Reviews (VSR) – a structured and objective resource that assists nursing educators in identifying products that augment or replace clinical experiences. I encourage you to review this exceptional resource. The OADN Virtual Convention was a huge success with record registration, thanks to many of you who attended. OADN has realized the virtual format was very advantageous and provided many of you the opportunity to participate.

Finally, 2020 displayed many injustices and as result OADN has formed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. This task force will assess the nursing education experiences of faculty and students with diverse positionalities and develop educational resources to support the development of antiracism and social justice competencies in nursing education.

As a result of the past year my message is to embrace the unknown and hold with deep conviction the preciousness of life. In many ways, we have all suffered some loss. But, as devastating as the pandemic has been, it has taught us many lessons. Life can never be taken for granted, our community whatever it may be is so very important, inclusivity and transparency are essential, and we must take care of ourselves and each other.

As our world continues to be forever changing, we must remain vigilant in our focus, a positive attitude, and demonstrate gratitude to each other. Embracing the unknown may be an uncomfortable proposition, but I encourage you to face the future with the continuance of persistence and with a strong spirit. We are dynamic individuals, and we will get through this current situation stronger for what we have learned.

In closing, I appreciate all of you for your compassion as nurses and nurse educators. I am hopeful the year ahead will be exactly what we describe every January, a NEW YEAR filled with possibility. As I checked out of a store today, I said to the young clerk, Happy New Year. Her reply simple but filled with positivity and huge smile, “Yes, it will be!” I am holding those words close and wish you all the very best in 2021.

Donna Meyer, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN
CEO, OADN

2020 Update: Delta Chapter at Joliet Junior College

Alpha Delta Nu Delta Chapter, Joliet Junior College created multiple presentations on topics such as “Domestic Violence: A Future Without Violence” and “Heroin Today, Gone Tomorrow: A Multidisciplinary Perspective of the Heroin Epidemic.” The student’s report is freely available online for all OADN participants to enjoy, as well as a video highlighting a portion of the presentation.

2020 Update: Beta Mu Chapter at Pearl River Community College

The Beta Mu Chapter inductees of the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society presented an Educational Capstone focusing on Preventing the spread of Germs. There were 11 American Heritage Girls and 9 parents/leaders in attendance ranging from Kindergarten to adult. The Objectives: 1. Understand what germs are. 2. Be able to identify methods of how germs are spread. 3. Discuss and demonstrate ways to prevent the spread of germs. This was achieved with a skit showing the spread of germs by using germ powder and a black light, a demonstration using pepper in a bowl of water to show how soap is more effective in killing germs, and by teaching proper hand washing followed by black light to show areas missed.  We are very proud of the accomplishments of the Beta Mu inductees Pearl River Community College and look forward to seeing where their nursing careers take them!

QSEN News Update

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OADN Sends Letter To Presidential Transition Team

OADN recently sent a letter to the Biden-Harris transition team, expressing the importance of community college nursing programs for our country’s nursing workforce and healthcare of our communities.

Read the letter here.

Nursing Community Monthly Roundup – December 2020

December 2020

NCC Supports Increased Investments in Nursing Education, Workforce, and Research

The Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) commends Congress for passing a COVID-19 relief effort and for supporting increases to Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and National Institute of Nursing Research in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The NCC looks forward to working with the 117th Congress and incoming Administration as we continue to support our current and future nursing workforce in 2021 and beyond. For the NCC’s FY 2021 funding chart click here.

Message from the President, December 2020

Dear OADN Members:

As I write my first message to you as your newly elected President, I feel excited and at the same time overwhelmed. I am truly humbled and honored to be representing OADN as President for the next two years. While I am not sure what challenges are on the horizon, I do hope you can find some normalcy in the weeks ahead.

During my time on the OADN Board of Directors, I have had the opportunity to learn about OADN’s governance in preparation for my role as President and follow my passion of academic progression. I believe it is very important for all nurses to have the opportunity to advance their education. Academic progression provides the knowledge, clinical expertise, and confidence to reach dreams that might seem unattainable. Advancing our education helps us develop the wisdom we need to work with our patients, their family and support systems, our students, and coworkers.

As OADN’s President, my goal is to facilitate the implementation of the strategic plan which the board has worked so diligently to develop. I will work closely with CEO Donna Meyer, the Board of Directors, staff, and YOU to continue to move OADN forward. Priorities for the year will be to keep our COVID resource page up to date to provide valuable resources for you and to focus on our membership. You, our members, are our body. Without you there is no OADN. We are OADN! If you have suggestions or questions, feel free to contact me at laura.schmidt@oadn.org

I want to thank all of you who participated in our first virtual convention resulting in record attendance. I want to thank our speakers, sponsors, partners, exhibitors, and all those who assisted in making this convention a huge success. We have heard many positive comments. It took many hours of hard work and I truly appreciate everyone who helped. Remember, you continue to have access to these great presentations for the next 11 months. Virtual was certainly not our preference. I wanted to see each of you to hear your stories and learn about your experiences!

Thank you again for trusting me to represent you as your OADN President. I will do my best to continue to move our organization forward. Becoming President of a national organization was something I never thought I would do. When I started my career in Philadelphia as an associate degree nurse, this was never on my radar. We have much to accomplish this year. Most important, remember to take care of yourself, and as our US Surgeon General Dr. Adams said: remember the 3 W’s – wash your hands, wear a mask, and watch social distancing. We cannot continue to help others if we do not take care of ourselves!

My wish is that you and your families have a blessed holiday season!

Laura A. Schmidt, DNP, FNP-BC
President, OADN

Nursing Community Monthly Roundup – October / November 2020

October / November 2020

NCC Sends Letter to Next Administration’s Transition Team

On November 13, members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter to the Biden-Harris Transition Team welcoming the opportunity to serve as a resource to the Biden Administration and outlining key priorities to promote America’s health through the nursing lens. In this letter, the NCC strongly encourages the Transition Team to include nurses in every step of the process, in all possible conversations, and among taskforces, commissions, committees, councils, and federal boards.

NCC Sends Letter to Appropriators Updating FY 2021 Funding Requests

On November 20, sixty-two members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting at least $269.972 for Title VIII Nursing Workforce and Development Programs, as outlined in the House, and at least $177.976 for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) as outlined in the Senate Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The NCC also reiterated their request for additional supplemental funding for these programs.

NCC Sends Letter to Congressional Leadership Reinforcing COVID-19 Priorities

On November 20, fifty-nine members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter to Congressional Leadership reinforcing our shared COVID-19 priorities to be included in any pandemic legislative relief package before the end of the 116th Congress.

Events & Meetings:

  • The Nursing Community Coalition held their October Monthly Meeting on October 6, 2020
  • The Nursing Community Coalition held their November Monthly Meeting on November 3, 2020

External Presence

Nursing Community Website: Site Visits: 1,348 Top Sub-Page Visited: Advocacy & Engagement

Twitter: @RN_Community New Followers: 25 Total Followers: 1,521

Profile Visits: 256 Tweet Impressions: 13,954