NEW YORK NURSE: September 2007
by Verlia Brown, MA, RN, C
Talk about closing the circle!
I began my tenure as NYSNA president at the 2005 Convention in Atlantic City and I will be ending it this fall in the same place. It’s been an eventful two years – I look forward to providing my personal anecdotes when I deliver my address on Friday, Sept. 28, in the Convention Center.
For many NYSNA members, Convention is the highlight of the year. The first time I attended one, about 30 years ago, I was in the company of nurse leaders such as Maggie Jacobs, Cathy Welch, Janet Cadogan, Josephine Bolus, Mimi Gonzalez, and Juanita Hunter. What wonderful role models they were for me and for many others!
Every year we renew these friendships and acquaintances. Dozens of retired nurses attend CE programs and listen just as avidly as they did when they were in nursing practice. There is always a crop of nursing students, bringing their enthusiasm and energy to the gathering.
An outstanding CE program has been assembled for Convention by staff and the members who served on the Convention CE Committee.
CE is very important to nurses at Convention, and recent evaluations have shown an increased demand. There will be more than 16 concurrent sessions this year, many of them on clinically related topics.
As a member of the NYSNA bargaining unit at Kings County Hospital, I’ll be attending all of the “Labor Day” events on Thursday, Sept. 27. This year marks the 50th anniversary of NYSNA’s collective bargaining program. We’ve come a long way and accomplished a lot since 1957. We’ll also be reminded that we have much more to do when we salute the “Sentosa 26,” a group of nurses from the Philippines who were mistreated when they came to this country in 2006.
Other traditional Convention events – the Foundation dinner, the Fun Walk/Run for Nurses House, the PAC luncheon, and the gala celebration on the last night – will also have special meaning for me this year.
I’m even looking forward to sessions of the Voting Body, where I will preside for the last time. It’s always interesting to hear reports on NYSNA’s many activities and the update from the state Board for Nursing. And something unexpected is always sure to happen when NYSNA members take turns speaking at the microphones!
So, in just a few weeks I will come down from the “mountaintop” of my nursing career – the presidency of NYSNA. I’ll be cheering on the Board of Directors and new President Linda O’Brien as they seek to lead the best nurses association in the country. Thanks to everyone, especially the association staff, who have assisted me during my term of office.
Take care and farewell!