I recently found an envelope that belonged to my parents with all my elementary, junior high, and high school report cards. In the early years, the report cards were on cardboard stock folded in half with handwritten grades on the inner pages and teacher comments on the back cover. There was a space for parents to sign the report card and acknowledge that they had seen it. By the time I got to high school, technology had replaced the cards with computer paper copies that only reported the grades, translated into numerical values, and a space for parental signature. Teacher comments were no longer included (which was probably better for me). Looking at the report cards and thinking about our family routine when we came home with them was fun. I remembered the anxiety that surrounded the four times each school year when we got our report cards. Typically issued on a Friday, students learned how their performance was evaluated, including academic and behavioral subjects. In my family culture, report card performance remained a focus until the next report card was received. My siblings and I usually fared well but had an occasional “how can you do better” discussion with our parents. I realize now that those early years created the foundation for valuing goals, evaluations, strategies, and performance.
Some forty years later, I still focus on goals, performance, evaluation, and strategies. As a registered nurse and President of ANA-Ohio, I am proud of and grateful for what we have accomplished in Ohio. Reviewing our association performance, we earned an “A” on our report card. You will see evidence of our performance in this and earlier journal issues. Our membership engaged in and advanced our mission and goals. ANA-Ohio is making a difference in Ohio. Our membership continues to grow with unprecedented growth of any association in Ohio. Month after month, the membership numbers exceed the previous month and are now well over 2000. In April, ANA-Ohio hosted the 2024 Inaugural Ohio Nurse Summit, in which more than 20 state-based associations participated. Plans are underway for our fall summit to continue our collaboration and establish joint initiatives.
Our advocacy work also would undoubtedly receive an “A” grade. Last month, some ANA-Ohio nurses met with several Ohio representatives, and staff had meetings during the ANA Hill Day. I meet with Congressman Troy Balderson from Ohio’s 12th Congressional District. Our hour-long discussion focused on the state of healthcare and the daily issues that nurses face. It was refreshing to share ideas and be heard. Interim Executive Director Terry Pope provided testimony opposing HB78 in Columbus earlier in the month. Our website includes current advocacy information and association positions to keep readers informed. The 2023 Policy Hackathon resulted in continued focus on new relationships to foster discussion of policy strategies for addressing issues of concern to frontline nurses.
In addition, ANA-Ohio national leadership impact would receive an “A grade”. Ohio has always had a proud history of nurses making a difference nationally. Several national associations have had board members and presidents from Ohio. Khaliah Fisher-Grace, PhD, RN is currently serving as an American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors member. Laurie Hornberger completed her term on the ANA Bylaws Committee, Sally Morgan continues to serve on the ANA Awards Committee, and Raya Cupler on the ANA Practice Committee. At the ANA Membership Assembly meeting in June, it was exciting to witness Raya Cupler receive the ANA Award for Early Career Nurse Leader. I am thrilled and proud to recognize the newest leader from Ohio who joined us at the ANA Membership Assembly. Ethan Slocum, recently elected President of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) and a student at Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, spoke elegantly about the relationship between NSNA and the ANA.
ANA-Ohio’s social media, website, and journal earned an “A++ grade” this year. Our readership is growing. The journal is sent to over 180,000 licensees in Ohio. The journal articles, social media posts, and website information are current, of interest, and being cited by others.
From day one, ANA-Ohio continuing education offerings earned an “A++ grade.” As we enter our second year, our continuing education program will continue our stellar performance. This year, ANA-Ohio was accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). We are hopeful that in 2025, the ANCC Commission on Accreditation will accredit ANA-Ohio as an Accredited Approver.
I can go on and on about ANA-Ohio performance and those responsible for helping us achieve the “A grades” and recognition. Join us at the Second Annual ANA-Ohio Membership Meeting and witness the evidence of our successes. How would you grade our performance? The Board of Directors, Chairpersons, and volunteers are committed to making ANA-Ohio the valued, incredible nursing association in Ohio. Be a part of a trusted, forward-thinking, and inclusive professional organization for nurses in Ohio through advocacy, leadership, and education so that nurses are empowered to achieve excellence for the profession and the communities we serve.
Rebecca M Patton
DNP, RN, CNOR, FAAN
Dr. Patton welcomes letters to the president president@ana-ohio.org
References list is available upon request.
