AANN | American Association of Neuroscience Nurses

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Leadership Message

Association News

CNRN Corner

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Going for the Gold

As I sat and watched the Olympics, I was in awe of the talent of the athletes, the diversity of the participants, and the planning and preparation that were so apparent in all the events. I began to think about the care of our neuroscience patients and how the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN), as an organization, is similar to the Olympic Games. We are asked as individuals to prepare through intensive education and training and to care for complex patients and their families and caregivers as a collaborative team with the ultimate goal of excellent patient outcomes. During this experience we only have a single attempt to "go for the gold" and produce the best patient outcome possible.

AANN can help provide that specialized training, and our sister organization, the American Board of Neuroscience Nurses (ABNN), provides documented proof through national certification that we are prepared for our single race or event and journey for the gold. The Neuroscience Nursing Foundation (NNF) has funded some of our training and learning initiatives through research opportunities and educational grants.
Some of the new initiatives that AANN is working on are as follows:

We have recently entered into a relationship with the National Stroke Association to provide online education and continuing education for the care of our stroke patients.

I have reached out to our past presidents, whom I consider our "brain trust," through an online Listserv that will connect the past, present, and future leaders of AANN. The past leaders have valuable insight into the direction and future of the organization, and I am so excited to have this valuable resource where I can ask for their thoughts and opinions.

The advanced practice nurses (APN) task force issued a call for volunteers in order to complete the scope of practice statement for APNs in the field of neuroscience.

Another call for volunteers was issued for an AANN representative to the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses (WFNN), an organization in which all AANN members have membership. This position will enable an AANN member with an interest in international neuroscience nursing to be an integral member of both organizations to foster communication and involvement in both groups.

We have reached out to other neuroscience organizations to explore other collaborative opportunities for our members.

As was previously announced, the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing (JNN) was selected to receive an Impact Factor rating from Thomson Scientific. We anxiously await the rating JNN will receive in the coming year. In addition, JNN will soon be moving to a new publisher, which will expand the reach of JNN and AANN. More to come on this initiative.

As I mentioned in my last message, strategic planning was completed at our late-July meeting. We discussed the major issues impacting our profession, drafted a vision for the future, and identified three potential major goal areas for the next 3–5 years. These goals involve education, neuroscience expertise, and volunteer engagement. I believe you will be pleased with the direction the leadership has chosen to pursue for the organization, which will be discussed in detail in my next message. While we are identifying short-term and long-term goals, we are in a constant mode of examination and preparation to provide you with the latest tools and training in your quest for gold in neuroscience patient care.

Kathleen H. Baker, MBA BSN RN CCRN CNRN NE-BC
AANN President

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