ANA-Ohio proudly hosted the 2024 Inaugural Nurse Summit on April 16, 2024, at the Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions Dublin Integrated Education Center in Dublin, Ohio. The theme for the summit was Colleagues, Communication, and Collaboration, and leaders from Ohio nursing associations were invited to the table to provide an update on their organization, identify current challenges, discuss opportunities, and suggest areas where Ohio nursing associations can work together.

President Patton welcomed the attendees and Second Vice President Deb Arms provided an overview of ANA-Ohio. Prior to the summit, organizations were asked to complete an information sheet about their organization, identifying their mission/vision, challenges, successes, what their organization hoped to gain from the summit, and where their organization would benefit from collaborating with other organizations. At the summit, a leader from each organization provided a brief overview based on these questions.

Following a networking lunch, attendees were divided into small groups to discuss organizational challenges and identify potential collaborative opportunities. The attendees reconvened and a group leader shared the small group discussions followed by open discussion among all attendees. Challenges included declining memberships, a lack of nurses wanting to lead the associations, costly membership fees, and a lack of leadership recognition. Potential opportunities for nursing organization collaboration were identified in the areas of communication, advocacy, education, and mentoring. Attendees also provided ideas for future summit topics. President Patton provided a closing summary.

Attendees stated that they gained knowledge related to ways that nursing organizations across Ohio can establish collaborative relationships and they believed that this activity was of benefit to them and their organization. The ANA-Ohio Nurse Summit Planning committee was pleased with the overwhelming positive responses and input and looks forward to future summits. President Patton notes, “It was gratifying to see that all the nursing organizations present wanted to continue to meet and work together to advance issues of importance for nurses in Ohio. We could not have asked for a better day”.

ANA-Ohio wishes to thank the leaders of the following organizations for participating in the Ohio Nurse Summit.