The Greater Birmingham Chapter began 2008 with a Region 6 conference where Dave Hanson asked nurses to "Reclaim Our Priorities." Such a powerful message needs to be shared. We incorporated that message into our chapter endeavors.
Reclaiming our commitment to nursing excellence was priority one, and we focused on novice nurses. A $500 grant and a one-year membership were awarded to three senior students. We also mentor through our Critical Care Student Web site, which directs questions to an ICU nurse and integrates AACN into clinical experience.
We learned that dinner events were difficult for nurse leaders to attend, so we now sponsor a half-day event where leaders can here motivational speakers and network. We have held this successful event for two years.
Another priority was to increase certification. Area hospitals teamed to have 50 nurses attend a CCRN review. GBCAACN nurses also attended at a reduced rate. This review encouraged ICU nurses to become members, increasing our chapter membership by 22.
We also reclaimed our commitment to the community. We sponsored the Lovelady House, a halfway house for women in drug rehab and work release programs that allows them to have custody of their children if permissible. Recognizing that healing the spiritual and physical go hand in hand, GBCAACN made this commitment a priority. At our "dinner and learn" we collect donations of household items. ICUs in our chapter sponsor collection drives and help find medical care at no cost. Drug representatives are encouraged to donate needed medications. Last Christmas, our members adopted 60 children and donated of $250 to assist with their needs.
Reclaiming our Priorities has not only increased our membership, but given us greater opportunities to meet the needs of our profession and our community.
