April 12, 2018 | NLN Member Update: NLN History | 2018 Scholarships | Summit Updates

Colleagues, did you know that the first NLN Education Summit took place in Chicago, just 20 years ago in September? I know that may sound strange as the NLN is 125 years old this year, but until 1998, we held biennial conventions to bring our members together. Quoting from then CEO, the late Dr. Ruth Corcoran, in the NLN Member Update of September 18, 1998, we instituted the Summit as a way to respond to "change that requires us to constantly assess rapidly changing health care trends. Change that demands that old structures be redefined." The NLN held its last biennial convention in June 1999, and our annual Summits began with regularity in Nashville in September 2000.

I've been using these Member Updates this year as a bit of a history lesson, not only to entice you to register for Summit 2018 — in Chicago, where it all began — but to provide a context for our work in nursing education. As it so happens, the context has changed. And as they say, the more things change, the more they remain the same. By the way, the history lesson is also for me.

September 1997, one year before our first Summit, saw the publication of the Woodhull Study on Nursing and the Media, commissioned by Sigma Theta Tau International and one of the last projects of the late Nancy Woodhull, a founding editor of USA Today. Under the supervision of deans of the University of Rochester School of Nursing and experts in media content analysis, 17 nursing students examined the content of health care and nursing coverage in leading print newspapers, news weeklies, and health care trade publications of the day. Their finding, that nurses were referenced in less than 4 percent of leading health news stories, led to an ambitious public relations campaign by Sigma Theta Tau known as "Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow," with the NLN one of the sponsoring organizations. I am pleased to share with you that the NLN is once again a sponsor, collaborating with many nursing leaders and organizations.

The Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement at George Washington University School of Nursing has replicated the original Woodhull study to determine what progress has been made since 1997. In time for Nurses Week on May 8, the research team will present the high-level findings from this study at a press conference that will be live streamed for unlimited viewing. You can register for online attendance here. I am very eager to learn about the results.

I am eager also to tell you about some of the events we have planned for the Summit.

• After a preconference workshop on NLN CNEA preparation and CNE^®cl pilot testing, the Summit will start with an Opening Ceremony like no other. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I can tell you there will be drama, and there will be a parade, along with history, sparkling conversation, and awards.
• As I mentioned in my last Member Update, Dr. Sue Forneris will deliver the Deborah L. Spunt Lecture, "On the Shoulders of Giants: Building Innovation in Teaching Excellence." She will bring together giants in simulation — the Spunt lecturers from past years.
• Concurrent sessions — 80 — and posters — more than 100 — are segmented into six categories with sessions for beginner and experienced nurse educators (basics and beyond basics): Transition to Practice, Teaching Excellence, Leadership, Active Learning, Simulation, and Global Initiatives.
• We'll have a raffle to benefit the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education and an incentive to shop, with Bloomingdales on North Michigan Ave offering 10 percent savings for NLN Summit attendees. I really didn't need much of an incentive, but...Convention Jewelry has given us a special coupon code that you can use now for 10 percent off all jewelry, with 15 percent of all proceeds benefiting the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education. (Think Mother's Day or your own personal collection.)
• And, lest you think all we care about is the past, this Summit will feature futurist and provocateur Matt Thornhill, founder and managing partner of the Institute for Tomorrow, a research-based think tank. He will address the National Faculty Meeting in a talk titled Winning Tomorrow: The Future for Nurse Education. Our discussion will focus on key trends impacting nursing education today and what we need to do to ensure success going forward.

Don't forget — early bird pricing ends May 31, and doctoral students are eligible for a reduced registration rate through April 20. If you need help making the case for attending this Summit, we offer a sample letter that explains the benefits of attendance. Be sure to register today.

And colleagues, there are a couple of other important, time-sensitive things happening you should know about. The application period is open through May 24 for NLN Foundation for Nursing Scholarship Awards. And it is time to vote in the NLN Elections. Members were sent an email with login information and instructions on how to vote, but in case you missed that email from Survey & Ballot Systems, you can request that the election passcode be resent to you. In addition, we need your nominations for the 2018 NLN Awards to be presented at the Summit.

And a final word — Dr. Ann Marie Mauro, a member of the NLN Board of Governors, has been elected president-elect of the Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS). Ann Marie is a professor and assistant dean at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey School of Nursing, where she is director of the Center for Education Research and Innovation. We have exemplary people on the NLN Board, with Ann Marie a prime example. As I have said before, 125 years of nursing education leadership is just the beginning. See you at the Summit.

NCSBN Unveils New Interactive Nursys Authorization to Practice Map, Learn More. New Jersey League for Nursing hosts Practical Nurse Student Education Day on April 25, 2018, Register Now. National Black Nurses Association is now accepting Scholarship Applications, Apply Today. Celebrate 125 years of NLN leadership in nursing education at #NLNSummit18 — Early Bird Registration is Open Register Today.

Next Issue of the NLN Member Update: Wednesday, May 2, 2018. View previous issues of NLN Member Update »