Montana Nurses Association (MNA) invites you to be part of a powerful two-day event that celebrates the spirit, resilience, and leadership of nurses across the state. This year's convention---our 113th! ---is more than a gathering; it's a call to reconnect with your purpose, recharge your passion, and renew your commitment to the profession.

🌟 Why Attend?

• Earn up to 7 Continuing Education Contact Hours
  Stay current and competent with evidence-based sessions designed to inform, inspire, and empower.

• Engage with Timely, Impactful Topics
  Our expert-led sessions will explore:

  • Updates to vaccine policy and recommendations

  • The role of nurses at the frontline of climate change

  • Harm reduction strategies and nursing's critical role

  • Evaluation, management, and treatment of chronic pain

  • The latest in diabetes care

  • ...and much more!

• Connect with Your Community
  Network with fellow nurses who share your dedication to advancing nursing in Montana.

📍 Event Details

• Dates: October 23--24, 2025

• Location: Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel, Helena, MT

• Registration: Visit www.mtnurses, for full convention registration, lodging, agenda information

Dear Montana Nurses,

Healthcare policy is political, but our advocacy is not about parties. It’s about people. It’s about patients. It’s about you.

At the Montana Nurses Association (MNA), we advocate for science, evidence-based practice, and the health and safety of our communities. We support bipartisan legislation that improves access to care, protects nurses, and strengthens public health systems. Our platform is built on these core principles:

• We Advocate for Issues, Not Parties MNA supports bipartisan efforts that benefit nurses and patients, not political agendas.
• Policy Decisions Directly Affect Nursing From staffing ratios to workplace safety, policy shapes the environments in which we work and the care we provide.
• We Respect Diverse Perspectives Nurses come from all walks of life. MNA provides resources and opportunities, not mandates or political litmus tests.
• Advocacy Is About Professionalism and Patient Care Our focus is on high-quality care and professional standards, not political affiliations.
• Constructive Dialogue Is Encouraged We welcome respectful, informed discussion and value your voice in shaping our direction.

In recent months, misinformation from national leaders, regardless of party, has undermined public trust in healthcare and those that provide it. False claims about vaccines, public health practices and healthcare in general, confuse our patients and their families, moreover, compromising their safety and the safety of our communities. Montana nurses see the impact of this every day.

We will not be silent. We reaffirm our commitment to the ANA Code of Ethics and MNA Government Relations Platform and to leading with integrity. We call on every nurse in Montana to use your voice, your knowledge, your experience, and your commitment to truth to protect our profession and the people we serve.

Vicky Byrd, MSN, RN  CEO

Please check your membership status.

If you fall into any of the below categories, you could qualify for the ‘Professional Reduced Rate’ $38.65/month.  Your rate will not automatically change.  You must let us know.

• You are a new graduate.  You must apply within the first six months after receiving your initial RN licensure and this rate is good for one year.
• You are an RN in a full-time study program working towards a higher degree.  You will need to provide proof of enrollment and you could receive this rate for up to 3 years.
• You are an RN 65+ year of age who is licensed and working.  You could receive this rate for the remainder of your employment.

If you are working in a collective bargaining position and move into a non-collective bargaining position, please contact the Montana Nurses Association to let us know.  Your membership dues will continue to be paid until you authorize them to be discontinued.  Please remember, only you can cancel your membership and membership payments.

Those of you who pay Annually that membership dues do not automatically renew. You will receive a letter from ANA to renew your membership.

To provide MNA with information on your status or to receive additional information on MNA membership please e-mail Brandi Dearing, Brandi@mtnurses.org

Can’t Find MNA’s Membership Application?

MNA now has an electronic application on our website. Please visit https://www.mtnurses.org/about/join/. 

Each year, MNA presents multiple awards to honor its members. Below are the criteria for nominations:

NOMINATIONS PROCEDURE

1. Nominee must be a current member of MNA unless otherwise stated on the below award list.
2. Nominations must be submitted on this form.
3. If you are submitting more than one nomination, each nomination must be submitted on separate forms with the applicable award checked.
4. Must be submitted before September 13th.

Award Criteria and Founders

*Distinguished Nurse of the Year Award* -- Founded in honor of Trudy Malone, RN
This award recognizes a member of MNA for outstanding contributions made to professional nursing. A candidate must:
• Demonstrate dynamic leadership in promoting excellence in nursing,
• Demonstrate the knowledge of current issues in relation to the goals of the nursing profession,
• Show a keen awareness and commitment to professional nursing ethics,
• Initiate positive action toward the improvement of patient care,
• Demonstrate the ability to work well with other members of the health care team.

*Economic & General Welfare Achievement Award* -- Founded in honor of Eileen Robbins, RN
This award recognizes a member(s) of MNA at the local unit level who has influenced their work setting through collective bargaining activities. A candidate must:
• Demonstrate commitment to professional nursing via individual practice competency and continuing educational growth,
• Use contract language to define, monitor, and enhance nursing practice in the work environment,
• Function as an active leader within the local unit through past or present elected office and committee participation.

*Excellence for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse of the Year Award*
This award recognizes an APRN member of MNA who has demonstrated excellence in their practice specialty area and who has made significant contributions to health care and the professional growth of APRNs. A candidate must:
• Demonstrate excellence as an APRN and as a role model for other APRNs and the nursing profession in general,
• Be involved as a preceptor, educator, advocate, in the political arena, etc.,
• Have made a significant contribution to the improvement of health care for individuals, families or communities,
• Be creative in his/her approach to nursing care,
• Have a positive effect on clients and on colleagues,
• Utilize current research in practice.

*Excellence in Nursing Education Award* -- Founded in honor of Peggy Mussehl, RN (Continuing Education) and Anna Shannon, RN (Formal Education)
This award recognizes a member(s)/staff of MNA for professional nurse contributions in the field of either formal education and/or continuing education. A candidate must:
• Have significant involvement and commitment to advancing nursing education,
• Expand the body of nursing knowledge through research or other scholarly activities,
• Challenge learner to achieve optimal level of accomplishment.

*Friend of Nursing Award* -- Founded in honor of Barbara Booher
This award recognizes a non-nurse who has advocated for and/or significantly advanced nursing in Montana. The candidate must:
• Show significant long-term contributions made by a non-nurse to Montana's professional nursing community,
• Facilitate significant accomplishments for the Association,
• Play a key role in assisting major successes within the professional nursing community.

*MNA Historian Award*
This award recognizes an MNA member/staff who has demonstrated a consistent, distinct interest in nursing history. A candidate must:
• Participate in preservation of historical nursing documents,
• Promote interest in nursing history,
• Promote MNA's History & Literary Endowment Fund.

*Political Nurse Leadership Award* -- Founded in honor of Mary Munger, RN
This award recognizes an MNA member/staff who has made significant contributions to nursing practice and health policy through political and legislative activity. A candidate must:
• Promote the nursing profession in political and health care arenas,
• Advance the knowledge of nurses, politicians, and policy makers concerning nursing and health care issues,
• Demonstrates political leadership at the district, state, or national levels,
• Serve as a mentor and role model to other nurses in the political process,
• Seek opportunities to advance Nursing's legislative agenda through grassroots activity.

*Promotion of Nursing Excellence in Media Arts* -- Founded in honor of Lynn Hebert
This award recognizes a MNA member/MNA staff or non-nurse for contributions in the field of journalism. The candidate must:
• Significantly contribute to news print publication(s) of timely articles and/or photographs regarding nurses/nursing;
• Actively contribute to the promotion of excellence in nursing through any or all media modes.

Click the link to be directed to the Award Nomination form: Award Nomination Form

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new professional development opportunity: Compass of Care: Exploring the 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses.  This course is FREE for MNA Members and just $35 for non-members. Presented by Brenda Donaldson, BAN, RN, NPD-BC, this course explores the newly updated 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses, highlighting foundational principles and emerging ethical challenges in modern practice. Attention is given to the new provision addressing the global nursing community. Learners will engage with case studies and reflective exercises to apply ethical decision-making in diverse clinical contexts.

Click here or on the image below for more information: