November 29, 2017 | NLN CEO Update | 125 Years | Testing

It's in our DNA, colleagues — leadership is what we are. In 1893, nearly 125 years ago, nurse leaders gathered at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and formed a society to establish and maintain a universal standard of training. The 18 founders of the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses created the structure for the organization that became in 1912 the National League of Nursing Education, and the rest — as they say — is history.

You will hear much about our anniversary year throughout 2018, culminating in our Education Summit in the most fitting place possible — the beautiful, vibrant city of Chicago. And we will ask you to participate in the celebration by sharing your professional and personal photos reflective of the fascinating history of nursing. Your photos will be used for a multitude of projects, including a commemorative book and historic, interactive timeline displays.

As you burrow through your attics, basements, photo albums, and yes, your cell phones for historic moments in your nursing education career, there is something else I would like you to think about — that is, those 18 women who seized the reins of history and launched something that, in this country, was totally new. Social conditions in the United States in the late 1800s were tumultuous, and our founders had deep concerns about the need for reform. We continue to face challenges, colleagues — and it continues to be important to step up and volunteer your services. Volunteer members are the heart of the NLN.

At this moment I am asking you to review our Call for Nominations for 2018 and nominate a colleague or put your own name forward for two open positions on the NLN Board of Governors (BOG), the Nominations Committee, or the NLN Certification Commission. (For the latter you must hold the CNE credential.) As an elected committee or BOG member, you will use your leadership skills to influence change that moves us forward and helps us fulfill our mission, to promote excellence in nursing education. The NLN Nominations Committee is seeking individuals who have a breadth of experience in national and international policy discussions on nursing, health, and higher education. Think about it, colleagues, and then act. By taking this step you are following in the best traditions of the NLN, dating from our founding in 1893. Come to think of it, 2018 — our anniversary year — has to be the best time to act.

Yesterday, as those of us who overindulged during the Thanksgiving weekend continued to recover, the NLN participated in #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving time, dollars, and skills to organizations making a difference in communities across the globe. Many of you participated with generous support for the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education. On behalf of the foundation's Board of Trustees, our BOG, and our entire staff, I thank you. Through scholarships, grants, research, and faculty development programs, the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education promotes excellence in nursing education while addressing faculty and nursing shortages.

Today is only Wednesday, and you are not too late. We welcome your contributions each and every day to help us Preserve Our Past and Build Our Future as we address the nurse faculty shortage and ways to promote excellence, diversity, caring, and integrity among nurse faculty. Please read about the foundation's specific goals and the many ways to give and join with us as we begin the second 125 years of NLN history.

Lastly, colleagues, I want to make you aware of a change at the NLN. Our Testing Services has a new home! They have relocated from Carbondale, IL, to just outside of St. Louis, MO. As you know, the NLN Testing Services team develops and administers standardized nursing tests. Their new address is 2408A Lebanon Ave in Shiloh, IL 62221. While the phone and fax numbers remain the same (800-732-8656 and 202-888-3104, respectively), operations at the new location will begin effective January 1, 2018. Please visit the testing services page for updated hours of operation.

All best wishes. I hope you are as excited about all the developments at the NLN. Our Chicago Summit is a little more than 10 months away!

University of Texas Health Sciences Center renames nursing school with historic $25M donation Read More. This Video Is Proof That Nurses Are Heroes - Even During Earthquakes, Donate Today. Overcoming Decision Fatigue to Reduce Nurse Stress Learn More. Now Accepting Applications for Nursing Education Research Grants Apply Today.

Next Issue of the NLN Member Update: Wednesday, December 13, 2017. View previous issues of NLN Member Update »