ANCC launches well-being credential

In December, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) launched the new Well-Being Excellence™ credential. It aims to assess and enhance well-being programs within healthcare organizations and settings that employ nurses.

Using an evidence-based framework, the credential provides applicants with the opportunity to assess the enculturation and effectiveness of their well-being programs as well as the impact on the work environment and interprofessional teams.

“Across many professions, industries, and workforces, employee burnout is at an all-time high,” said Rebecca Graystone, PhD, MBA, RN, NE-BC, ANCC senior vice president of accreditation and organization credentialing. “This new credential emphasizes the critical role that effective well-being programs play in improving the overall health of the workforce, resulting in lowered turnover, increased engagement, and increased job satisfaction.”

The healthcare industry is particularly affected by high levels of stress contributing to workforce shortages across the country. In a recent survey of more than 7,000 nurses nationwide, 56% reported symptoms of burnout, with many not receiving mental health support. Two-thirds of respondents indicated that they hadn’t accessed available mental health resources due to associated stigma. In addition to clinical care settings, other organizations grapple with similar escalating stress levels and burnout, exacerbating workforce shortages nationwide.

“Organizations that thrive prioritize the well-being of their workforce and offer evidence-based strategies to mitigate stress and burnout,” said Christine Pabico, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, ANCC Pathway to Excellence® program senior director. “These organizations are better positioned to recruit and retain top talent, ensuring a robust workforce and a safe, supportive work environment.”

Applications for the credential opened December 1, 2024. At this time, organizations that employ nurses within and outside of healthcare can take the first step in transforming workplace well-being. Starting with the ANCC Well-Being Self-Assessment, tools are in place to evaluate current programs and identify areas for improvement.

Learn more and take the assessment at nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/well-being-excellence/.

Enhancing well-being through Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation

Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ (HNHN), an initiative of the American Nurses Association, aims to improve nurse well-being across six key areas: mental health, physical activity, nutrition, rest, quality of life, and safety. This program fosters engagement among nurses, employers, and organizations to support nurses’ health, a crucial factor in today’s demanding healthcare environment.

HNHN harnesses the power of corporate partners to advance nurse wellness through events that connect nurses nationwide around common experiences inherent to their caring profession and regular challenge series, which encourage and motivate nurses to adopt and maintain healthy habits.

Last year and again this September, CeraVe sponsored the Healthy Sleep/Healthy Skin Challenge, which provided nurses with practical tips to improve sleep hygiene and skin health. All month, participants received daily emails and texts with advice on these topics, aimed at enhancing their overall well-being and ability to care for others effectively.

Additionally, CeraVe hosted a virtual coffee break in April, engaging around 350 nurses nationwide. These interactive sessions foster community among participants and provide valuable insights into maintaining both physical and emotional well-being. The April coffee break highlighted the importance of sun protection and skin health, aligning with CeraVe’s skincare expertise and underscoring the importance of protecting the skin from sun damage for long-term health. CeraVe hosted another coffee break this September.

HNHN is dedicated to enhancing nurse well-being by promoting comprehensive health practices and fostering a supportive community. To explore more about HNHN and participate in future initiatives, visit hnhn.org.

2025 ANA elections: Call for nominations

Nomination period ends January 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

In December 2024, the ANA Nominations and Elections Committee issued a call for nominations for a slate of candidates to be presented to the Membership Assembly in 2025 for election to these national offices.

The following positions will be open for election in 2025:

ANA Board of Directors

Two (2) Officers:

• Vice President
• Treasurer

Two (2) Directors-At-Large:

• One (1) Director-at-Large
• One (1) Director-at-Large, Recent Graduate

ANA Nominations and Elections Committee

• Four (4) Member positions

The term of service for all positions is January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

The Nominations and Elections Committee, a standing committee of the ANA Membership Assembly, includes seven members of Constituent and State Nurses Associations or the Individual Member Division, elected by the ANA Membership Assembly.

ANA places high priority on diversity and seeks to encourage and foster increased involvement of underrepresented groups and staff nurses at the national level.

Nominations must be submitted via the online nomination form on or before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. An additional call for
nominations will be conducted for those elective positions with insufficient nominations.

Preparing nomination materials

1. 1. READ the roles and responsibilities for your position of choice to ensure that they match your interests, experience, and qualifications.
   2. IDENTIFY the degree to which you possess the competencies that have been deemed important to serve successfully and effectively in each position.
   3. SELECT a campaign manager, if desired, and provide their contact information where requested on the online nomination form.
   4. COMPLETE AND SIGN/INITIAL where noted. Nominees for the ANA Board of Directors must also submit the following additional documents, which are included on the online nomination form.
      • Conflict of Interest Statement
      • Financial Interest Disclosure form
   5. SUBMIT all nomination components on or before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Please note:

1. 1. • You will need to create a user ID and password before accessing the form.
      • Nominations that are incomplete, handwritten, faxed, or submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Visit ANA’s Nominations and Elections web page for helpful resources and position descriptions at nursingworld.org/ana/leadership-and-governance/volunteer-committees/nominations-elections/.

If you have any questions, please email nec@ana.org.

Travel and entertainment benefits for ANA members

Nursing is a high pressure, always-on profession. That’s why one of the most popular American Nurses Association (ANA) member benefits involves access to exclusive deals on travel and tickets. ANA’s new partnership with MemberDeals offers ANA members exclusive travel and entertainment opportunities not available to the public. With the ANA Travel and Ticket Discounts Program, members can access savings on:

1. 1. • Travel: Hotels, resorts, car rentals, flights, or travel insurance.
      • Tickets: Major theme parks (such as Walt Disney® and Universal Studios), sporting events, concerts, Broadway and Las Vegas shows, zoos, aquariums, water parks, and ski resorts.

The ANA Travel and Ticket Discounts Program website allows you to search by category or by city.

ANA members also can save money when catching the latest blockbuster movies like Gladiator 2, Wicked, or Moana 2. The ANA Travel and Tickets Discount Program offers special rates at eight different theater chains for both tickets and concessions.

As with all member benefits, ANA has carefully screened partners who are committed to providing exceptional value and service.

To explore the full range of member-exclusive deals and start planning seasonal activities, ANA members can visit the program’s website at bit.ly/40Qslz2.