Dear Colleagues,

As we welcome February, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable resilience and dedication of nurses across Massachusetts. This month, with its focus on heart health and well-being, is a timely reminder of the profound impact nurses have not only on their patients but also on the communities we serve.

Championing Wellness: For Our Patients and Ourselves
February marks American Heart Month, an opportunity to educate our patients and advocate for healthier lifestyles. As nurses, we are at the forefront of these conversations, often serving as the bridge between complex medical guidance and practical steps that can change lives.

But as we focus on heart health for others, let us not overlook our own. In his recent parting message, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, highlighted the toll of disconnection and burnout in healthcare. His words resonate deeply within our profession. Many of us face immense pressures daily---caring for patients, navigating systemic challenges, and balancing our personal lives.

This February, I encourage each of you to take stock of your own well-being. Are you finding moments of connection? Are you carving out time to care for yourself? Remember, we cannot pour from an empty cup.

Advocating for the Nursing Workforce
February also brings renewed discussions at the state level about nursing workforce sustainability. The post-pandemic realities of staffing shortages, rising patient acuity, and policy changes require our collective voice to ensure that nurses have the support and resources we need to thrive. ANAMASS is committed to addressing these challenges head-on.

We are actively engaging with legislators, hospital leaders, and nursing educators to advocate for:

• Healthy work environments that prioritize psychological safety, respect, and collaboration among healthcare teams. Creating spaces where nurses feel valued and empowered is essential for improving retention and providing quality patient care.

• Expanded access to mental health support for healthcare professionals.

• Investment in nursing education pathways to address pipeline shortages.

Your voice is critical in shaping these conversations. If you haven't already, I urge you to get involved---whether by attending advocacy days, reaching out to your representatives, or sharing your stories with ANAMASS.

Finding Community in ANAMASS
One of the greatest antidotes to burnout and isolation is finding your community. ANAMASS exists to connect, empower, and support nurses across Massachusetts. Whether it's through our educational programs, networking events, or advocacy efforts, we're here to ensure that no nurse feels alone in their journey.

This year, we'll be launching new initiatives to foster professional growth and peer connections. I encourage you to explore the opportunities available, from mentorship programs to leadership development courses.

Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, let us reaffirm our commitment to one another and to the values that make nursing such a vital and fulfilling profession. Together, we can overcome challenges, advocate for change, and continue delivering the exceptional care that defines Massachusetts nurses.

Thank you for all that you do every day. Your work inspires me and so many others. Let's make this February a time to celebrate our profession, strengthen our connections, and nurture our own well-being.

In solidarity and gratitude,

Silda Melo, MSN, RN, CCM
President, ANAMASS

During these uncertain and challenging times, ANA/ANAMASS is here for you. While you are caring for patients, we're caring for you and the profession! We're on Beacon Hill, advocating for YOU and YOUR nursing practice, speaking with legislators, the governor's office, and others. We're on Capitol Hill, reviewing the most recent Executive Orders and speaking with legislators and regulators. We're sponsoring educational events both in-person and virtually -- planned and executed by nurses like you. We're also sponsoring networking events such as group tickets to Wicked! and planning a film screening of Everybody's Work (https://youtu.be/0VoxSTjOsFc for trailer). We're helping student nurses build their resumes at the Massachusetts Student Nurses Association. And we're Empowering Nurses to Build Financial Wellness with a series of financial wellness seminars with South Shore Retirement Services. Our 501c3 partner, the Foundation for Nursing Advancement in Massachusetts, Inc. (FNAMA) will be giving out OVER $60K in scholarships to diverse and financially challenged nursing students at the 2025 ANAMASS Awards/FNAMA Scholarships Gala on 4/5/2025. These are just some of the benefits being a joint member in both ANA/ANAMASS brings.

We can't do this work without YOU! Won't you consider becoming an ANAMASS member today? Visit www.joinana.org to become a member. There are some exciting options for membership.

Current Membership Options for NEW members:

• Standard Membership $15.75/month ($183/year)
• NEW PREMIER Membership $25/month ($294/year)

We are happy to announce that there is a NEW PREMIER Member option, available to all new and existing members. This NEW PREMIER Member option is priced at just $25/month ($294/year).

Being a Premier member (whether NEW or Grandfathered) gives you the following member benefits in addition to standard membership:

• FREE Certification Test Strategies Webinar

• FREE Safe Patient Handling and Mobility e-book

• Additional $100 discount on ANCC Certification, for a total discount of $200 on initial or renewal ANCC Certification!

• 50% off Nursing: Scope and Standards e-book

• 25% off ANA publications and products

• $25 registration discount for ANAMASS Gala

• Over $500 in free continuing nursing professional development value via ANA webinars.

• Additional PREMIER MEMBER benefits pending!

These new membership options allow you to choose the VALUE you want to get out of your membership with ANA/ANAMASS.  In order for ANA/ANAMASS to be successful advocates both state and nationally, provide outstanding educational programming, update and maintain the Nursing Code of Ethics, and promulgate current nursing scope and standards we need YOU to become a member.

Thank you to all of our current members (both standard and premier) for your ongoing support and participation.  We can’t do what we do without you!

Winter is a time of self-reflection, establishing new routines, hunkering down, and finding sustenance in soup, family, friends, and perhaps some rest. However, it is also the time of seasonal affective disorder, cardiac stress from shoveling, and some feelings of isolation and hopelessness. My past experience as a psychiatric nurse has taught me a number of techniques to combat some of the negative effects of winter: finding a community of like-minded people, taking time for self-care (which includes maintaining your own standard medical appointments), involving yourself in activities for the greater good such as joining committees, running for office, serving at a soup kitchen for example. Opportunities can be found in many of the articles in this issue. Whether you are a newer nurse, an experienced or a retired nurse join together to care for yourself, others and the nursing community as a whole.

Warm regards,

Judy

"One of the greatest antidotes to burnout and isolation is finding your community." Silda Melo, MSN, RN, CCM President, ANAMASS

"The future depends on what you do today." ---Mahatma Gandhi.

The ANAMASS accredited approver unit (AAU) is a dedicated team comprised of twelve nurse peer reviewers (NPR), a program director (PD), and an office administrator. These peer reviewers are volunteers with extensive experience in nursing professional development planning. Many of them have been or are currently involved in various organizations as nurse planners, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the unit.

The program director, who is hired part-time, plays a crucial role in overseeing the approver unit. This individual ensures that the unit adheres to ANCC criteria, maintaining the high standards required for accreditation. The office administrator supports the unit's operations, facilitating communication and coordination among the team members.

Each year, the approver unit undertakes a comprehensive review of the operational goals set in the previous year. This reflective process allows the team to assess their achievements, identify areas for improvement, and set new, strategic goals for the upcoming year. Through this annual review, the unit remains committed to continuous improvement and excellence in supporting nursing professional development.

The collaborative efforts of the nurse peer reviewers, program director, and office administrator are fundamental to the success of the ANAMASS accredited approver unit. Their dedication ensures that the unit continues to meet and exceed the expectations of the nursing community, fostering an environment of ongoing professional growth and development.

2025 Nurse Peer Reviewers -- We Thank You

Background: In 2020, ANAMASS members voted to participate in Standard Membership, offering new members the opportunity to join at just $15/month ($174/year) and grandfathered all current members as "Grandfathered Premier" at $22.25/month ($261/year). Those long-time joint ANA/ANAMASS members who met criteria for "Special Premier" or "Reduced Premier" kept those discounts as long as they maintained their joint membership and no new members were able to join at the Premier rate. In the Standard Membership model, joint ANA/Constituent State Nurses Association standard member dues and benefits were standardized at one low price across the country, creating efficiencies of scale for the association and allowing us to standardize the joint member benefits.

There has not been a joint ANA/ANAMASS Member dues increase in 11 years!

At the 2024 Membership Assembly (governing body of ANA), ANA membership assembly representatives voted to support the automatic dues increase passed in 2020, resulting in an across-the-board dues increase of 5.1%. In 2020, the average cost of a gallon of milk was $3.32. In 2024, the average cost was $4.39. That's an increase in four years of over 32%!!!

ALL current members will see the 5.1% dues increase implemented during their renewal month. Standard Joint Membership will go from $174 per year ($15 per month) to $183 per year ($15.75 per month). Standard Membership dues are split evenly between ANA and ANAMASS, so ANAMASS will see an increase of $3.50/year per Standard Member (not even enough for a gallon of milk!). Grandfathered/Current Premier Membership will increase from $261 per year ($22.25/month) to $268 ($22.83/month). Of this $268, $115 goes to ANAMASS (no change!) and the ANA portion increases from $146 to $153/year). ANAMASS sees no increase in dues revenue, and ANA gets $7/year -- not even enough for two gallons of milk!

How can current grandfathered Premier Members best support their state nurses association (ANAMASS)?

If you are currently a grandfathered Premier Member (had to have been a member prior to 2020 and maintained Premier Membership status), you can still upgrade to the NEW PREMIER member option (costing you just $27/year or $2.17/month additional). When you do that, ANAMASS will receive an additional $32.50/year from your dues, a net addition of $5.50 to the ANAMASS bottom line! Contact member services at memberinfo@ana.org or call 1-800-284-2378 to upgrade!

Dues increase FAQ.

Why is ANA increasing dues?

• ANA is committed to providing our members with the benefits, services, and support they need to thrive in today's challenging health care environment. This is our first dues increase in 11 years, and this 5.1% increase will allow us to improve and expand our membership benefits and to strengthen our advocacy and nursing programs on the issues that matter to nurses.

When will the dues increase take effect?

• Members who pay annually will see the new rate reflected on their first renewal notice in 2025.

• For members who pay with automatic recurring payments (monthly or annually), the dues increase will take effect on the anniversary of their joining ANA. You will receive an email reminder 30 days before their first automatic payment at the new dues rate.

• New members who join ANA on or after January 1, 2025, will pay the new rate.

How much will the dues increase?

• Dues will increase by 5.1% for the ANA portion of Joint membership. ANAMASS has NOT elected to increase their portion of Joint membership dues in their states.

When was this decision made?

• To avoid the scenario of falling behind increases in inflation and requiring a large dues adjustment, ANA, like many associations, developed our first automatic scheduled dues escalation process in 2002 and implemented smaller dues increases every three years from 2005 to 2014.

• Reflecting the concern about the economic struggle of nurses, the Membership Assembly voted to not implement the automatic scheduled dues increases between 2015 and 2020. In 2020, the Membership Assembly revised ANA's dues structure, lowered the amount of the dues escalation to 1% annually and changed the automatic scheduled dues process to occur every five years, with the first cycle starting in 2020. Therefore, the dues increase went into effect on January 1, 2025, with renewing members seeing the increase on the anniversary date of their join.

Which membership types are affected, and what are the new rates?

• Standard Joint Membership will go from $174 per year ($15 per month) to $183 per year ($15.75 per month).

• Grandfathered/Current Premier Membership will increase from $261 per year ($22.25/month) to $268 per year ($22.83/month). Only available to those with continuous Premier Membership since 2020.

• NEW Premier Membership will be offered at $25/month or $294/year)

Will members still be able to pay annually or monthly?

• Yes, members will still be able to pay dues every month or once a year depending upon their preference.

Will members be notified of this change?

• Yes. Emails were sent on 11/22/2024 by ANA to all current members impacted by the dues increase notifying them of this change. Also, the November 22nd issue of the Member News e-newsletter published this information.

• Pricing was updated in the Renewal mail notifications for members scheduled to renew in January 2025 or later.

• The rate to join ANA posted on ANA's website was updated 1/1/2025.

Should members expect dues to increase every year?

• No. As noted above, this is the first time in 11 years that the price of membership dues has increased. The current ANA dues policy includes a scheduled 5.1% dues increase every 5 years, but it is not implemented until after a review by the ANA Board of Directors and vote at Membership Assembly by your state representatives.

Who do I contact if a member has questions that aren't answered on this page?

• Please contact memberupdate@ana.org.This email address will make sure that the question is directed to the appropriate Membership staff representative.

Our Medical Reserve Corps: The Power of Volunteers and Inspired Leadership

Authors: Liisa Karen Jackson and Robert Irving Desourdes
Reviewed by Gail B. Gall, PhD, RN

When the time came for the rapid and accurate response to the Covid-19 epidemic, Ms. Jackson emerged as a tenaciously loyal leader dedicated to public service. She built a solid leadership structure, created strategic and standardized policies and procedures, and provided tools to the volunteers who became active when needed. Liisa has also learned  much about the critical importance of collaboration among communities interacting with various professions and local  governments. She feels grateful for the opportunity to work in her MRC role including continuous learning.

More information about the Medical Reserve Corps is available by going to go mrcvolunteer.org. The range of activities is broad. For more information about becoming volunteers, utilizing training courses, Covid-19 issues, and well-check programs, among other choices.

Liisa Jackson at: liisajackson@mrcvolunteer.org  
Phone: +1 (774) 278-0059  
Website: https://www.mrcvolunteer.org/our-medical-reserve-corps-the-power-of-volunteers-and-inspired-leadership.html

The Nurses of Ellis Island: Life and Work inside the Golden Door

Authors: Michelle C. Hehman and Arlene W. Keeling

Reviewed By: Inge B. Corless, PhD, RN, BSN, FNAP, FAAN

And depending on the adequacy of the documents presented, having a space in which to retain people until the legal procedures had been completed that determined whether the individual could remain in the United States, or be deported to their home country.

Ellis Island also provided for the care of individuals who were ill, both staff members and potential immigrants. A major concern was that no-one be processed from Ellis Island who had a contagious disease that could spread to the citizens of the U. S. The authors detail the contagious diseases encountered over time and the responses that occurred. For example, immigrants with trachoma were not permitted to remain in the United States. Nurses "did not have the ability to separate themselves from the controversy that sometimes arose when serving the best interests of the country meant crushing the dreams of a patient" (p.69).

With regard to the history of nurses on Ellis Island, the authors present the context in which these nurses were recruited and selected. They note that Ellis Island Hospital was not affiliated with any nurse training program. Nurses for Ellis Island were initially recruited from "the famous Training School for Nurses at Bellevue Hospital (opened in 1873), Mt. Sinai's Training School for Nurses (opened in 1881), and the Maternity and Charity Hospital Training School on Blackwell Island (opened in 1888)" (pp14-15). Nurses recruited from the Boston area "with the exception of the elite Boston Training School for Nurses were often working class" (p.16). Students at the New York training schools were largely middle class and "women who had previously worked as teachers, saleswomen, or governesses" (p.16). The nurses who were recruited were White women.

The New England Hospital for Women and Children was the only program outside of the South that accepted Black persons as students, and by 1899 only six students of color had graduated. No Black nurses ever worked on Ellis Island. And those nurses who were selected, had the following characteristics: they needed the work, were well disciplined, with the preference of working as a hospital staff nurse. Their employment at Ellis Island's Marina hospital made them federal employees.

Hehman and Keeling also include data about the functioning of Ellis Island throughout the years, providing important information about the characteristics of the programs that provided the necessary care for patients. It was noted that the Hospital state of the art facility mirrored the recommendations of Florence Nightingale in order to avoid deficiencies of "space, light, and ventilation" (p.18).

Ellis Island also played a role in wars. For example, in World War I, nurses from the Massachusetts General Hospital led by their former supervisor, Sarah Parsons, came to Ellis Island on their way to joining the Red Cross Army Nurse Corps and being deployed to France. And there were other such deployments from Ellis Island during the two World Wars. "The Nurses of Ellis Island" is less about the nurses and more about Ellis Island.

This is not said in criticism as it provides context.

This book is a contribution to understanding the role of a site that continues to be mentioned in various contexts, but for which we may, or may not, have a comprehensive understanding of the part this site played in American history. It is also a history of the individuals and groups who played a role in meeting the challenges for which Ellis Island and its' space were utilized, namely the processing of people who were migrating from their home countries to the United States and the part that nurses played in these activities. Nurses were the invisible but indispensable caregivers for both immigrants and staff (p.135). Hehman and Keeling, thankfully, contribute to rectifying the gap in our knowledge about the important contribution to the history of the United States enacted on Ellis Island by nurses and others throughout the years.

We need more nurses who hold public office…this year will be the first one in many years that there will NOT be a nurse in the Massachusetts legislature

We live in a democracy, we govern ourselves, we vote for people who speak for us and are supposed to work on our behalf. This is politics: governing ourselves with common beliefs while we decide together the kind of world in which we want to live. 

In addition, as nurses, we have chosen a profession that promotes and protects the health of all citizens, and all citizens need a nurse at least once I their lives. Nursing has a major impact on the optimal functioning of individuals and communities in our democracy. In turn, the public wants protection to ensure when licenses are given out that there are standards of practice and clinical skills that those who practice hold.

Our country has government set up at the federal, state and local levels to allow for us to effectively govern ourselves and allow us to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Our social living situations, our economy and the safety of our environment are examples that either support or are barriers to us living in a healthy society.  We have a justice system to help guide us in following the laws we decide to live by which helps keep peace. Our military requires us to be healthy to protect our country.  Every aspect of life around us is affected by the health of individuals in our democracy. 

In a democracy, the people decide to make rules that we live by, when we vote. Nurses must have and USE their voices in determining how laws affect nursing practice and the health of the Nation. For example, scope of practice, how health insurers (public or private) pay for the necessary products, what public policies are needed protect the health and quality of life in our society. We decide many aspects of how we practice through public policy. It matters if we run.  It matters who we vote for every time.

With our broad understanding of all parts of life that affect the health status of our population, it is imperative that we seek to have a seat at the table.  We have a lot of expertise to bring to the discussion. We also have much to learn about how to create effective public policy that supports the health of our nation, our state, and our local communities.  Sitting on the sidelines does not foster that learning.

So why leave public office to “others”?  We are politics in a democracy, whether we passively leave it up to others or whether we decide to run ourselves.  It is an honor to serve the public.  When elected and hold an office, it means others have put their trust in us to care for them at a point in time. That is what we do, care for others.  We need to see ourselves as necessary to good public policy in all areas of our democracy.  We each need to look to ourselves and ask:

“If not me, then who?’ 

 Mary E Grant MS, RN is a former MA State Legislator from Beverly MA. Professionally, she practiced over 35 years as a psychiatric nurse clinical specialist in community mental health. In addition to other positions, she has been a clinical director of a division in Mass Health.

This fall, I was invited to participate as a panelist at the second annual Western Massachusetts Healthcare Summit hosted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. This event brought together healthcare professionals, academics, organization leaders, government officials, and legislators from across the Commonwealth to present and discuss the current state of the healthcare workforce as well as new and innovative solutions to grow and support the future workforce. The half-day summit was full of passionate speakers and audience members who were excited to share their experiences and ideas.

As a Public Health Nurse for two Massachusetts municipalities, I participated in the Public Health Nursing panel with Dr. Ann Becker, a Clinical Associate Professor at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing as well as the Director of the new Public Health Nurse Consultant Program, and Dr. Caitlin Pettengill, the Office of Local and Regional Health’s Chief Local Public Health Nurse. My contributions to the conversation centered upon the often-misunderstood scope of the public health nurse as well as the lack of support offered to nurses entering this specialty.

Public health nursing is its own unique field. Unlike nurses in hospital settings who provide one-on-one care to patients, public health nurses protect and promote the health of an entire population. Primary prevention is the focus. For example, as the public health nurse in Carlisle, I consider the residents of Carlisle to be the population that I serve. My goal is to improve the health outcomes of this group. To accomplish this, I sometimes work on the individual or family level, but public health nurses also look at community and systems-level factors and how we can modify them to improve the health of the population. Public health nurses conduct needs assessments; identify, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions; write grants to fund these interventions; collaborate with community partners; develop policy; and advocate for their communities.

When I was a new public health nurse, almost everything I learned and did was self-taught. I was not alone in this experience. There is no formalized training program for new public health nurses working for Massachusetts’ municipalities. This means that there are limited places to direct questions, and public health nurses are largely on their own to meet their educational needs.

Fortunately, this will be changing.

Dr. Becker and Dr. Pettengill spoke about these training and support challenges and the new Public Health Nurse Consultant Program that will help address them. This program, which is hosted by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is launching this winter. The program will develop and deliver a training program for new public health nurses. Public Health Nurse Consultants will be available to support both new and experienced public health nurses within their region. The program also aims to strengthen recruitment to this nursing specialty.

 The Public Health Nurse Consultant program would have been extremely helpful to me when I was a new public health nurse. The development of this program shows an investment in the critical work of public health nurses in the Commonwealth and will make a meaningful and lasting impact on the public health nursing landscape in Massachusetts. 

Read the Public Health Nurse Consultant Program Press Release Here

To view new Massachusetts legislation on adding a Registered Nurse to acute hospitals and nursing homes as a sitting & voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing the organization’s strategic plan, structure, systems, policies & programs.

Click Here to review SD1598/HD2668- An Act establishing a nursing workforce center

Click Here to review SD142/HD2328 - An Act relative to acute hospital and nursing home governance

Dear Representative/Senator[   ]:

My name is [First Last] and I am a Registered Nurse. I am writing to you today to ask you to co-sponsor two bills aimed at improving the nursing workforce environment and address the nursing shortage.

SD142/HD2328 An Act relative to acute hospital and nursing home governance requires all acute care hospitals and nursing homes to have a RN as a sitting & voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing the organizations strategic plan, structure systems, policies & programs. Current Sponsors: Senator Joan B. Lovely & Representative Paul J. Donato.

SD1598/HD2668 An Act establishing a nursing workforce center The nursing workforce center will gather data, research & provide analysis to advise policy leaders on how to address the current & future nursing workforce needs of nurses & others who support nursing care & to provide recommendations to advance nursing science & practice in Maxx. Codifies existing Nursing Council for Workforce Stability https://www.ncwsma.org/ Current Sponsors: Senators Cindy F. Friedman & Joanne Comerford, Representative Marjorie C. Decker.

Thank you for co-sponsoring these bills and the work that you do on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Sincerely,

[First Last, RN]

[Contact Info]

Celebrate our 2025 ANAMASS Award Recipients

Living Legends in Massachusetts Nursing

Gaurdia Banister, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Jeanne Watson Driscoll, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, APRN-BC
Cynthia Jacelon, PhD, RN-BC, CRRN, FGSA, FAAN
Timothy Quigley, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
Judith Vessey, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN

Friend of Nursing Award

Benjamin Fierro and Patricia Lynch
(Lynch & Fierro LLP)

Excellence in Nursing Practice

Erin Manzi, BA, RN, CPN

Excellence in Nursing Education

Amanda Choflet, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Julika Wocial, MSN, MS, CCRN

Excellence in Nursing Research

Jennifer Mammen, PhD, NP-BC

Mary A. Manning Nurse Mentoring Award

Karen Collins, MSN, RN, PMH-BC, CARN 

Nurse Led-Teams Award

Umove to Improve Mobility Program
(UMASS Memorial Medical Center)

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Award

Lucinda Canty, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN

Nurse Innovation Award

Nicole Lincoln, DNP, FNP-BC

Celebrate our 2025 FNAMA Scholarship Recipients

Joyce L. Wolf Scholarship

Batoul Chouiki
Dahyanira Ramirez
Eden Abebe
Franck Kakpo
Lilyana Ibañez
Nour Chouiki
Shasha Li
Yacelyne Norena

FNAMA Scholarship to Advance Diversity in Nursing

Amidat Yussuff

Edward R. Quigley Memorial Scholarship

Alex Phan
Guadalupe Torres
Noah Amerault
Judith Timothy Fenton, BS

Ruth Lang Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship

Alyssa Creonte, MSN, CNP

Health Care Futures: Potential Impacts of a Second Trump Administration

Co-Sponsored with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a Point32Health company

When: March 5, 2025 6:15pm - 8:30pm

Where: Virtual Webinar via Zoom

Information: What lies ahead for health care under the shifting policies of the Trump administration? Join a dynamic panel of experts as we explore potential legislative and regulatory impacts, from changes to Medicaid and the ACA to the future of public health funding and equity. Gain insights into advocacy strategies and resources to support vulnerable populations and champion public health.

Contact Hours: 2

Fee: None

You MUST preregister by 3:00 pm on March 5, 2025

 "The Digital Double-Edged Sword: Social Media's Impact on Mental Health"

When: April 2, 2025  6:15 to 8:30 pm

Where: Virtual Webinar via Zoom

Information: This dynamic panel brings together experts to explore the emotional highs and lows of life online, from anxiety and depression to connection and advocacy. Gain deeper insights and practical tools to navigate the digital world more mindfully in an engaging discussion with interactive elements.

Contact Hours: 2

Fee: None

Please hold the dates for our Fall panels on October 8, and November 12, 2025.

You MUST preregister by 3:00 pm on April 2, 2025

This program has been submitted for contact hours to the American Nurses Association Massachusetts , an accredited approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Level Up Your Career; Building your Nursing Portfolio

When: June 4, 2025, 4 - 5:30 pm

Where: Webinar

This rebranding signifies a bold step forward, reflecting an expanded vision to serve a broader geographic area beyond Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It also underscores a deepened commitment to supporting nursing educators across all levels, from practical nursing (PN) programs to doctoral education, while broadening its scope to include professional educators in clinical settings.

The rebranding and reorganization follow the formation of an Alliance between the National League for Nursing (NLN) and its constituent leagues. While the Alliance fosters a shared mission, it no longer entails financial or legal relationships. As part of this transition, MARILN reflected on its past achievements and envisioned a promising future, leading to its establishment as an independent nonprofit organization.

As my presidency concludes, I reflect on my six years of service on the MARILN board. The experience has been invaluable, offering opportunities to expand my network of colleagues, enhance leadership skills, develop meaningful friendships, and create professional opportunities. I encourage others to consider serving on boards for their professional organizations, as it can be a transformative experience for personal and professional growth.

Consider what professional organization you are a part of and what role do you play. Explore your organization's website, connect with board members, and discover how you can contribute. Every act of volunteerism creates a ripple effect, benefiting your specialty area and the broader nursing profession. Serving on boards---both within and beyond professional organizations---is a powerful way to make an impact.

Healthcare boards, whether public, private, or governmental, also present valuable opportunities for nurses. If self-doubt arises, remember that nurses bring a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge to the table. A study conducted by Christopher and Sundean (2024) used a validated tool to assess nurses' complexity and analytic skills, interpersonal abilities, and organizational acumen, confirming that nurses are well-equipped to serve on boards. The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC), established in 2014, has facilitated the placement of over 11,000 nurses in board positions nationwide. However, representation remains low, with nurses serving on boards increasing from 4% in 2018 to just 5% in 2022 (Harpe & Drenkard, 2024). Nursing must strive for greater visibility and leadership at all levels.

The NOBC offers resources to support nurses aspiring to board service. Visit their website (https://www.nursesonboardscoalition.org/resources/) for guidance and tools to get started.

In Massachusetts, specific initiatives aim to increase the number of nurses serving on hospital boards. By supporting these efforts and seeking leadership roles, nurses can play an integral part in shaping healthcare policy and decision-making. Keep an eye on opportunities to engage with these initiatives and take proactive steps toward leadership.

As we embark on this new year, let us each consider how we can amplify our impact. Advocacy for patient care extends beyond the bedside; it requires leadership in healthcare decision-making. With strength in numbers, the nursing profession must leverage its value and take the lead. Together, we can increase the percentage of nurses serving on boards and continue to shape the future of healthcare.