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Dear OADN Members:

We know you are all very busy with the launch of the fall semester and realize this year the semester looks very different than the past as programs continue to develop strategies in the new norm of COVID. OADN is here as a resource through our COVID-19 landing page. Even more importantly coming soon is the annual convention: Vision 2020: ADN Educators Leading the Way.

We have made modifications in this year’s convention to ensure that the most timely and relevant sessions are made available to your programs. As COVID-19 has changed our lives, it has also changed the demands placed on us as nurse educators, requiring creativity and innovation of an unprecedented level. Amidst these challenges, our nation is also confronting longstanding pain that results in severe economic and health disparities, affecting patients, students, and faculty alike. We have listened to your needs as well as your faculty and students by planning some exceptional sessions. Although we will miss seeing you at convention, the OADN virtual convention is a wonderful opportunity for more faculty to attend at a substantially reduced cost. We encourage you to view the program and register!

OADN Organizational Update

Over the past few months, the Board of Directors has been assessing the OADN governance and operational structures as well as processes. One area of focus has been reviewing the vision and mission to ensure the mission and vision represent the true work of OADN. After much discussion, the Board approved a revised mission and vision. The Board believes the statements better represent OADN’s strategic directives and the work we do to represent and advocate for the associate degree pathway in support of faculty and students.

• Updated mission: OADN is the national voice and a pivotal resource for community college nursing education and the associate degree pathway.
• Updated vision: To expand networks that promote leadership, collaboration, and advocacy to further enrich nursing education and the communities we serve.

Additionally, modifications have been made with OADN staff positions of Bryan Hoffman and Mary Dickow. Bryan has been named Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Bryan he will oversee budget development and monitoring, business and advocacy strategy, communications and marketing, educational programming, convention management, and website support. Bryan’s outstanding skills and talent are a perfect fit for this timely change to the OADN organizational structure. Mary’s new title is Director of Leadership Development. In this role Mary will focus on OADN’s strategic initiatives related to leadership development for nursing education. Both Bryan and Mary demonstrate exceptional senior leadership and are true assets to OADN.

Wishing you a very successful and safe fall semester and please take care.

Laura Schmidt DNP FNP-BC
President-Elect

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

Dear OADN Members:

Approximately five months ago the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to confront our nation. At the time, I never thought we would be dealing with this crisis in such epic proportions. Over the months, OADN has kept our programs informed by providing needed resources in simulation, on-line teaching, updates in regulations, changes in clinical placements, and other important nursing education trends. In late May, it was apparent this crisis was here to stay, and changes being made in nursing education could be more long term than anticipated. There was a sense of urgency and OADN wanted to ensure that we continued to listen to our membership. As a result, the OADN COVID-19 National Task Force was formed.

The COVID-19 Task Force is a diverse, national group of OADN members and stakeholders from across the country in both urban and rural. Director of Strategic Initiatives, Mary Dickow coordinated the activities and led the task force members in their work. The purpose was to provide a national perspective and guided consideration and generate ideas to address future teaching/learning structures and opportunities in nursing education. The goal of the task force was to create a repository of information for dissemination of the identified tasks.

This group of dedicated individuals came together every Friday beginning June 12th to share their expertise in discussing major issues in nursing education because of the pandemic. At the initial meeting, the task force chose to identify workgroups to complete the initiative as quickly as possible. The workgroups formed were: 1) collaboration with industry partners, 2) on-line education, 3) simulation/virtual simulation, and 4) regulation/ accreditation.

The work groups identified innovative methods of restructuring the teaching/learning process, recognized the need for modifications based on the pandemic; developed strategies for providing meaningful clinical learning opportunities, discussed academic/practice partnership considerations, and created a plan for collaborating with industry partners for high quality and safe return of students to clinicals.

As a result of their collaborative work I am pleased to announce the following resources are now available on the newly revised OADN COVID-19 Resource Page under the following headers:

• Returning Students to Clinicals, Skills Labs and Sim Labs
• Online Teaching
• Virtual Simulation
• Evidence to Inform Regulatory Changes

I would like to commend the members of the OADN COVID-19 Task Force for their focused work that was completed efficiently to provide these resources. The task force will continue to meet and provide updates as the impact of the pandemic evolves.

In closing, I must express how we must continue to take care of ourselves and each other. This is a very challenging time, and there are times after a full day of Zoom I anticipate when I can see a live face in front of me and hopefully give a big hug. I know we are all in this together, and I appreciate the innovative ideas generated to keep associate degree nursing education moving forward.

Stay safe and well and let us continue to take care of each other!

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

The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is deeply disturbed by the recent deaths, tragedy, and fear that have gripped our nation because of racial injustice. The Black Lives Matter movement reinforces that racism is a threat to the health and well-being of people of color and is in fact a public health threat. Therefore, we cannot remain silent. OADN reaffirms our commitment toward the elimination of racial injustice, healthcare disparity, and violence.

Dear OADN Members:

The above statement is from the OADN Board of Directors in response to recent events in our country. As the Chief of Executive Officer, I join with the OADN Board of Directors in their commitment to end injustices against Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color. Racism fuels injustice, economic, educational, and health inequalities, and must be challenged and addressed.

As a nurse, like all of you, I stand by the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretative Statements that obligates us to be allies, to speak up against racism, discrimination, health care disparities, and advocate for human rights. As I contemplate the recent tragedies, I grapple with why in a country such as this we cannot show basic respect for each other’s differences. It saddens me to witness this type of behavior. Action must be taken.

The nursing profession is held in high regard, especially during the current COVID-19 crisis and the heroic actions of nurses in every community across our nation. Historically viewed as the most trusted profession, nursing’s fundamental roots are in public health and social mission. A “perfect” storm has confronted our nation with the pandemic, civil unrest, and economic disruption. This is not the time for us to place our heads in the sand and say it does not apply to us. OADN’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, and therefore this does apply to each of us.

The current environment may feel overwhelming, so I would like to offer a simple idea. Take time to listen and communicate with one individual who is from a different background. It is a small step but an important one. Active listening creates critical steps to understanding. It is through simple, honest communication we demonstrate respect for others’ backgrounds.

I reflect on my first year as a practicing nurse and the amazing patient care technician I worked with at a large pediatric hospital. There were times I did not understand certain aspects of the Black culture. Through candid conversations we helped each other recognize and appreciate our differences. Did I learn everything? No, but she did provide a dimension of deeper awareness that I am grateful for today. I realize now that what she taught me created a strong foundation for my work with the Navajos, the people of Guatemala, the Hispanic culture, and the many others who added so much to my life. These experiences enriched me beyond comprehension, and for that I am grateful.

Soon OADN will be releasing a more comprehensive statement with a call to action that we encourage all member programs and beyond to embrace. Challenging times create opportunities, and we must lead with more than words – we must lead with action!
Please stay safe and well.

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