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2024 Celebrating Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day

The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) plays a crucial role in shaping the nursing profession, advocating for high-quality education and support for nursing students and faculty. At a recent North Carolina Associate Degree Nursing Council meeting, I had the privilege of meeting an inspiring ADN faculty member from North Carolina who exemplifies the dedication and compassion that characterize many OADN members.

This faculty member goes above and beyond her role as an educator, consistently and intentionally being present for her students well beyond the classroom. She devotes herself to guiding, supporting, and mentoring her students, ensuring the successful attainment of their degrees and smooth transition into nursing practice. Her commitment to her students’ well-being is truly remarkable and serves as a shining example of the impact that educators can have on shaping the future of nursing.

As we celebrate Nurses Week 2024, this year’s theme is “Nurses Make a Difference,” it is fitting to reflect on the profound contributions of nurses like her. Nurses are more than healthcare providers; they are advocates, caregivers, educators, and companions. Nurses’ unwavering compassion, dedication, and commitment to excellence make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities daily.

During Nurses Week, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of nurses worldwide and reaffirm our commitment to supporting and empowering them in their noble mission. Together, let us honor and celebrate nurses’ remarkable impact on our lives, our communities, and our world.

 

 

 

 

Rick García, Ph.D., RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FAADN
Chief Executive Officer
OADN and OADN Foundation

 

OADN Launching New Membership Platform

In the coming weeks, OADN will transition to our new membership management and engagement platform, Member365. The transition will begin on April 26, and welcome emails to the new membership system will be sent on May 16.

New member registration and membership renewals will be paused during this time. Programs with renewal dates during the transition period (April 26 – May 16, 2024) have been given an extension and a revised renewal date of May 28, 2024.

Please contact Member Services Representative Harriet McClung at harriet.mcclung@oadn.org or call 1-800-809-6260 for assistance with new membership or renewals.

OADN’s decision to migrate to Member365 comes after thorough research and consideration of various platforms to better serve our members and streamline our operations. Member365 offers robust features and functionalities that will enhance our ability to connect with you, provide valuable resources, and facilitate collaboration within our community. Here are some key benefits of the transition to Member365:

  1. Improved User Experience: Member365 offers a user-friendly interface that will make navigating and accessing OADN resources, events, and member benefits easier.
  2. Enhanced Communication: With Member365, we can communicate with you more effectively through targeted emails, newsletters, and announcements tailored to your interests and preferences.
  3. Centralized Membership Management: Member365 provides a centralized platform for managing your membership profile, renewals, event registrations, and other interactions with OADN, making it more convenient for you to engage with us.
  4. Delegate Support Staff Access: Heeding the advice of our members, deans and directors will now be able to delegate their system access for the purposes managing faculty member lists, payments and invoicing, and overall program administration. Each nursing program administrator can delegate access to up to three other individuals (faculty, support staff, or financial administrators), each with their own system logins and passwords. This feature facilitates OADN membership renewal and updates, and is flexibly designed for both large and small nursing programs.
  5. Many More Exciting Features to Launch in 2024:
    1. Member Directory
    2. Member-to-Member Messaging & Collaboration
    3. Committee & Task Force Workspaces
    4. Job Board
    5. Manage Annual Giving to the OADN Foundation
    6. Digital Membership & Recognition Certificates
    7. Continuing Education Management and More!

As we transition to Member365, we will provide detailed instructions on how to access the new platform and update your membership profile. Rest assured that we will make every effort to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions to your membership experience. This transition will ultimately benefit our members by providing a more efficient and engaging platform for collaboration and professional development.

If you have any questions or concerns about the transition to Member365, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at OADN@oadn.org.

As always, we value your feedback and are committed to supporting you throughout this process.

Thank you for your continued support of OADN.

Professional Identity in Nursing and the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model: A Merging of Two Essentials for Transition to Practice

By Karen LaMartina, President of OADN

Transition to nursing practice has been a source of much discussion. Recent research has suggested that most new graduate nurses struggle with making clinical judgments yielding optimal patient outcomes, leaving nurse educators to ponder, “How do we best prepare students to be practice-ready?”

NCLEX 2023: the Call for New Approaches to Instruction

The 2023 launch of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) necessitated a call for a change in teaching strategies, such as a flipped classroom and case studies. Nursing educators have embraced these new approaches to instruction, realizing the days of being a “sage on the stage” and reading a PowerPoint slide deck are long gone. The NGN measures the culmination of education that should strongly indicate a safe transition to practice. It will, however, be a few years before we know the significance of the NGN in the transition to practice. Will we learn that the assessment itself mattered, or were the changes made in nursing education the ones that contributed the most to a graduate’s safe and successful entry into the workforce?

The Emergence of Professional Identity in Nursing

ISPIN LogoProfessional Identity in Nursing (PIN) is a new mindset born out of grassroots “think tank” research that is now a standard of curriculum in nursing programs. Both ACEN and CNEA have added language in their standards mandating the inclusion of PIN into nursing curricula. The International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN) was established in 2018, following years of research identifying PIN domains. Those domains are values and ethics, knowledge, nurse as a leader, and professional comportment. Not to be confused with professionalism, which implies things such as dress code or showing up to work on time, PIN is defined as “a sense of oneself, and about others, that is influenced by characteristics, norms, and values of the nursing discipline, resulting in an individual thinking, acting, and feeling like a nurse” (Joseph & Godfrey, 2023).

Integrating PIN into Nursing Curricula

A stepwise approach in nursing education to integrate PIN should begin on day one. Just as in practice settings, as discharge planning begins on day one of admission, the same holds for developing nursing professional identity in our students. Day one of a nursing program could include an introduction to PIN, with those domains continually reintroduced throughout the four semesters, culminating in a professional nurse who will graduate and join the workforce with a keen sense of what professional identity means.

PIN and the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model: A Synergistic Approach

All four PIN domains can be linked to the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM). For example, when a nurse is confronted with a clinical decision, they must consider the values and ethics associated with it, draw on their knowledge, recognize themselves as the leader in the patient’s care, and then demonstrate the comportment dictated by the situation. To understand the link to CJMM, knowledge allows the nurse to recognize and analyze cues, prioritize hypotheses, and generate solutions, while one’s values, ethics, leadership, and comportment drive the nurse to take action. Professional Identity is the compass that guides practice and is a mindset that is paramount to a nurse’s ability to develop creative solutions for their patients. This should then beg the question of every nurse in practice, “Are you wearing your PIN?”

Conclusion

Nurse educators have always wondered what teaching strategies are the most effective. Is it in the classroom setting or clinical setting where students learn best? In my 30 years of experience, I have found that the most successful individuals in the nursing program are those who not only possess the ability to handle the rigorous curriculum but also have a strong sense of purpose and are willing to embrace the responsibilities of the role. Perseverance is key, but having a clear understanding of why you chose nursing is just as important, if not more so. The combination of CJMM and PIN can provide a practical marriage of clinical judgment and identity, ultimately creating a workforce of nurses who possess both the knowledge to think critically and the professional identity to carry out their work.

Joseph, M. L. & Godfrey, N. (2023). A new mindset: From tasks to professional identity.
Nurse Leader, 21(2), 183–187.

OADN Voices: April Leadership Message

 

Make the Decision TODAY to Attend the OADN Convention!

Dear OADN Members,

This year, we will celebrate OADN’s 40th Anniversary Convention from October 31 to November 2 in Tampa, Florida. The convention’s theme, “Bridging the Past to Build the Future”, is centered on the commitment to deliver excellence in associate degree nursing education and support the future generation of registered nurses over the next 40 years and beyond.

Leadership guru Craig Groeschel states that today’s decisions determine the stories we tell tomorrow. If you want to tell a story of providing excellence in ADN nursing education, you must make strategic, purposeful decisions that lead you to achieve that goal. Thus, I encourage you to commit to attending the convention today.

“Intentionally invest your resources today to accomplish your goals and fulfill your mission in the future.” –@craiggroeschel

Many of us view our resources as limited—we only have so much time, and our budgets are often constrained. It’s time to shift that view and see attending the convention in terms of the return on investment. When investing, you do not expect an equal return—you desire an exponentially larger one. When you attain higher expertise in ADN education, your organization improves, aligning with its mission to support the next generation of nurses. This translates into an exponential return on investment, enhancing the impact of your efforts!

OADN is the most comprehensive resource for ADN faculty, directors, and deans. Advocate for your program by seeking administrative support to attend the convention. Initiating this request in advance will allow them to earmark the required funds. OADN has developed a template letter for requesting support, which you can customize to justify your budget and travel needs.

This year, we have an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Jason A Schwartz, Desiree Diaz, Danielle McCamey, and Jaqueline McMillian-Bohler. They will touch on critical issues related to associate degree nursing education, such as the Next Generation National Licensing Exam (NCLEX), and pertinent topics to expand your thinking on leadership, innovation, and advocacy. The remainder of the convention agenda is filled with education sessions and workshops on the topics that interest you most, including enhancing clinical judgment, evaluation and accreditation, simulation, NCLEX preparation, and promoting diversity. This exclusive information is essential for nurse educators, enabling us to fulfill our mission of educating quality nurses. Participating in the convention fosters networking relationships that lead to innovative ideas, support systems, and actionable solutions from other programs experiencing similar challenges. It provides a platform for exchanging best practices and advancing ADN education.

You will also have time to experience downtown Tampa and all it offers. The early bird registration is $795, and OADN has negotiated the best rates for accommodations at the JW Marriott ($279/night + tax) and adjoining Marriott Tampa Water Street ($259/night + tax). The hotel is on the waterfront in downtown Old Tampa, an area known for dining, walking, and beautiful outdoor spaces.

Plan to elevate your program and faculty’s excellence in ADN education starting now! Pursue funding opportunities and prioritize self-investment. There is no comparable education and networking experience designed for ADN educators. Stay tuned for upcoming emails detailing the convention schedule and registration process.

It will be a rewarding experience. I hope to see you there!

Mariann Harding, Ph.D., RN, CNE, FAADN
OADN Treasurer and Board Liaison, Abstract Review Committee

Nursing Community Monthly Roundup – March 2024

OADN continues our federal advocacy on your behalf as a member of the Nursing Community Coalition, where we work to ensure that nurses are supported and that nursing education is funded.

NCC Thanks Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Underwood for introducing the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act 
On March 29, fifty-nine members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter thanking Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chair and nurse, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), for reintroducing the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (H.R.7266/S.3770). This bill would help enhance enrollment and recruitment of nursing students, hire and retain faculty, and support the modernization of nursing education infrastructure.

NCC Releases Statement Supporting Title VIII and NINR Funding in the President’s FY 2025 Budget
On March 12, the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) issued a statement supporting increased funding for key domestic and health care programs, such as Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research, in the Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget.

Trajecsys Offers New Premium Benefit to OADN Program Members

Exclusive Opportunity for OADN Members: Unlock a $5 Discount per Student for Trajecsys!

 

As valued members of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), we are thrilled to extend this exclusive new opportunity with Trajecsys!

OADN program members can now take advantage of a special $5 discount per student when paying at the published (standard one-time payment) rate for the Trajecsys Centralized Clinical Recordkeeping system.

This exclusive offer is designed to make your investment in education even more cost-effective, ensuring that you can provide top-notch learning experiences for your students.

Key details:

  • Program must be a current, active OADN program member
  • Discount: $5 off per student
  • Applicable Rate: Trajecsys Published Standard One-time Payment Pricing for Nursing

Qualifying Payment arrangements include the Trajecsys one-time payment program.

This is available to all ACTIVE OADN member programs during the term of the Trajecsys OADN corporate partnership agreement.

Current Tracjesys Clients
Please contact the dedicated nursing support team to begin receiving your discount: nursingsupport@trajecsys.com		 New to Tracjesys?
Contact Ron Bright
Director, Business Development/Nursing
Trajecsys Corporation
C 781.291.2360
800.741.7964 Ext 15
ron@trajecsys.com

Member Testimonial

“The Trajecsys application and support team provides an exceptional and stress-free experience.  The team engaged with us throughout our meetings and tailored the application to meet our specific requirements. The application is intuitive and easy to learn while providing complete transparency between the faculty and students regarding their weekly performance and overall progress. Our faculty and students have embraced the program.

The application houses our clinical grading forms and maintains those forms and attestations previously stored in cumbersome paper files for years. This digital transformation enhances data security and extends access well beyond the mandated retention periods. Both group and student-specific reports can be easily located and printed, which assists with efficiency initiatives and accreditation purposes.

Our experience with Trajecsys has been outstanding, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to others seeking a user-friendly, budget-friendly, and reliable solution!”

 

Dr. Mae Simoneaux DNP, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, CNEcl
Director of Nursing | Chief Nursing Administrator
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Louisiana State University Eunice
Division of Health Sciences, Business Technology, and Public Protection and Safety
Eunice, LA

Trajecsys Strengthens Commitment to Nursing Education through Strategic Partnership with OADN

For IMMEDIATE Release

March 6, 2024 – Trajecsys, a pioneering leader in Centralized Clinical Recordkeeping for Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) Schools and Programs, proudly announces its strategic partnership with the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Trajecsys’ ongoing commitment to advancing nursing education and supporting the vital work of OADN in shaping the future of nursing professionals.

The announcement is a testament to Trajecsys’ dedication to nursing students and faculty and educational excellence. The company will continue to support OADN members with the Leadership Institute Scholarships, as well as the OADN Convention poster awards, which underscore Trajecsys’ commitment to fostering the growth and development of nursing leaders.

Karen LaMartina, Ph.D., MSN, RN, President of OADN, expressed her enthusiasm for the alliance, stating, “Trajecsys’ commitment to supporting our members and the nursing profession aligns with OADN’s mission to promote excellence in associate degree nursing programs. Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more dynamic nursing education landscape.”

Rick García, Ph.D., RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FNYAM, FAADN, Chief Executive Officer of OADN, added, “We are delighted to embark on this strategic partnership with Trajecsys and offer exclusive discounts on their innovative solutions exclusively for OADN members. This collaboration signifies a shared commitment to advancing nursing education and promoting excellence in ADN programs. We look forward to the positive impact this alliance will have on nursing education.”

Brian Bright, CEO of Trajecsys, said: “We are excited and honored to formally expand our support for ADN education programs and OADN members. We are thrilled to be able to give back to the nursing community and help support the next generation of nursing leaders.”

Trajecsys provides nursing programs with state-of-the-art tools designed to streamline and enhance various aspects of education management. These tools include features to manage and track nursing student time and attendance, skills tracking, forms, evaluations, and student surveys. Additionally, Trajecsys offers a Program Systematic Plan of Evaluation (SPE) with its innovative, patented SPE Tracker module, now available to OADN members.

The Trajecsys-OADN partnership exemplifies Trajecsys’ commitment to being a corporate partner that cares deeply about the success of nursing programs and the level of support provided to OADN members.

 

About OADN:
The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is a national organization dedicated to advocating for and enhancing the role of the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN). OADN serves as the collective voice for ADN educators and provides a forum for networking and professional development, shaping the future of nursing education and practice. For information about OADN, please visit https://oadn.org.

About Trajecsys Corporation:
Trajecsys is a leading provider of Centralized Clinical Recordkeeping for Associate Degree of Nursing Schools and Programs. With a commitment to advancing nursing education, Trajecsys offers innovative tools to enhance the management and tracking of nursing student data, fostering an environment conducive to educational excellence. For more information about Trajecsys and its innovative solutions for nursing education, visit www.trajecsys.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Emily Trask
Director, Marketing
Trajecsys
emily@trajecsys.com		 Rick García
Chief Executive Officer
OADN
rick.garcía@oadn.org

OADN Voices: March Leadership Message

OADN Foundation Announces 2024 Scholarships, Awards, & Research Grant

On behalf of the OADN Foundation Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the annual call for the Foundation scholarships, awards, and grants. The awarding of these prestigious scholarships, awards, and grants is another amazing benefit of your OADN membership. The OADN Foundation promotes the mission and vision of OADN through the development of resources and the recognition of scholarship and excellence in associate degree nursing education. Collaborating with our valued partners and sponsors, the OADN Foundation makes a difference for nurse educators, their students, and the communities they serve nationwide.

Over the years, I have observed how the OADN Foundation has grown in financial support to assist in the professional journey of faculty and students. On an annual basis the OADN Foundation has added more scholarships and awards resulting in significant financial support to our members and their students. The OADN Foundation Board of Directors works diligently throughout the year to raise funds to support OADN members and provide opportunities for them. This year, we have added two new scholarships for faculty and students supported by Level Up RN. There are many categories in the scholarships and awards, including academic excellence and progression, professional advancement, leadership development and community service, and scholarly research. The research grant is very important to OADN and the OADN Foundation as it aligns with the OADN strategic direction to “create a high-impact research agenda to support ADN education.”  This is an exceptional opportunity for those working on an advanced degree or completing research. Investments in these areas will benefit all and help support the future of associate degree nursing education. I would especially like to emphasize the many scholarships offered to students. The OADN Foundation depends on Deans, Directors, and faculty to announce student scholarship opportunities.

The OADN Foundation is also committed to celebrating individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedicated service in promoting associate degree nursing education and practice. We are proud to offer the ability to express gratitude and appreciation for a valued colleague, trusted mentor, visionary leader, and steadfast champion of associate degree nursing through the nomination of one of the Foundation’s four honorary awards: Bobbi Anderson Leadership Award, the Elsevier Educator of the Year Award, Nurse Think New Educator of the Year Award and the Donna Meyer Visionary Impact Award.

The application process for the Awards, Scholarships and Grants is straightforward to complete online. Please visit the OADN Foundation page at Foundation – OADN, click the link for the award, scholarship or grant of interest to read step-by-step instructions, and detailed eligibility and criteria requirements. You will find a direct Survey Monkey application link under the instructions for applicants’ section. We strongly encourage applicants and nominators to read the instructions carefully, gather all required materials, and thoroughly edit them before submitting an online application. The 2024 OADN Foundation Call for Awards, Scholarships and Grants Submission Deadline is June 1. 

In closing, I would like to express my appreciation to each of you for your commitment to associate degree nursing (ADN) education. These awards, scholarships, and grants are for you, our valued OADN members who embody the excellence of the ADN pathway.

Wishing you all the best,

 

 

Donna Meyer MSN RN ANEF FAADN FAAN
OADN CEO Emeritus
OADN Foundation President

Nursing Community Monthly Roundup – February 2024

OADN continues our federal advocacy on your behalf as a member of the Nursing Community Coalition, where we work to ensure that nurses are supported and that nursing education is funded.

NCC Sends Letter Thanking Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Bonamici for introducing the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act
On February 13, fifty-one members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter thanking Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), along with other supporters, for introducing the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act (S.2815/H.R.7002). The letter also urged Congress to take up and pass this bill before the end of the year. This legislation would provide much needed grant funding to close the pay gap between faculty and clinical nurses.

OADN Voices: Celebrating Black Nurses

Continuing the Legacy:
Celebrating Black Nurses’ Contributions this Black History Month and Beyond

Dear OADN Members,

Though Black History Month is nearing its end, the contributions of Black nurses deserve continuous recognition. OADN expresses our sincere appreciation for the invaluable contributions of Black nurses to our most noble profession.

As a Black nurse of Haitian heritage, I humbly acknowledge that I am indebted to the giants whose shoulders I stand upon, such as Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first licensed Black American nurse in 1879, and Catherine Flon, the nurse most notably revered for sewing the Haitian flag but also serving as a nurse in the Haitian Revolution that lead to Haiti’s independence in 1804.

I also acknowledge the pioneers among us, including friends of OADN like Dr. Sheldon Fields, President of the National Black Nurses Association, Dr. Sharrica Miller, a trailblazing nursing leader and diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist, and  Dr. Marie O. Etienne, the first black President of the Florida American Nurses Association who is also of Haitian descent, as they continue to pave the way for future generations.

While this month serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment of Black nurses throughout history, I believe it’s crucial to extend this recognition beyond February. We must continuously celebrate the inspiring Black nursing students, educators, researchers, and practitioners who shape patient care, research, education, and advocacy every day.

As we acknowledge the strides made, we must also confront the persistent challenges rooted in systemic racism and inequity within healthcare. This serves as a call to action for us all to actively dismantle barriers and foster inclusivity in every aspect of nursing.

To our esteemed Black nurse colleagues, we extend our deepest gratitude for your dedication to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for all. Your tireless efforts in the face of adversity inspire us all to strive for a more just and equitable healthcare system.

As we move forward, let us reaffirm our commitment to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and shaping a future where diversity, equity, and inclusion are the cornerstones of nursing excellence. Together, we can create a profession that truly reflects the richness and diversity of the communities we serve.

Patricia Nabal, DNP, FNP, RN-BC
Director, Midwest Region
OADN Board of Directors