Taking Time and Making Time for WOCNCB Service
Time flies. The majority of our membership is at an age that they remember hearing this in their youth and questioning the veracity as time crept slowly from one anticipated event to the next. With age, we have learned that time is indeed a precious commodity, and like those before us, appreciate the sad reality that time truly does seem to fly.
This past month, I had the wonderful opportunity to welcome our newly elected board members and share in their excitement as they look forward to embracing this incredible opportunity for service, and as a result, personal and professional growth. At the same time, it offered me a time of reflection, as I looked back at the time when I was in their position and considered all that has been accomplished since then.
Please take a moment to read about our newest four board members. I had the opportunity to chat with each of them when I offered my personal congratulations, and am confident that you will be as pleased as I am with our collective selection. The future of our certification board is very bright with new energy and talents. I envy each of them the journey that they are embarking on and challenge you to join them by seeking participation with a WOCNCB committee.
Committee service is a wonderful place to begin. It allows you to learn how the board works, participate in an area that holds your passion, contribute to the future of our specialties and reap personal benefits. If you ask the committee or board members, they are quick to share how much they enjoy their positions and the gains they received from service. Many committee members seek to serve a second term, and others are “hooked” and seek selection on yet another committee or opt to run for the board positions. Please consider applying for one of the committee positions that will become open in 2012 and join in the excitement.
When I began as your President almost two years ago, I hoped to increase the board’s visibility and familiarity with our certificant base, the WOCN Society, other support organizations and the general public. I wanted certificants to know that the WOCNCB is their board, made up of specialty nurses just like them who care about their needs and want to work with them to resolve issues. I wanted to continue to promote our WOCNCB certifications as The Gold Standard for Certification® and differentiate them from competitors’ credentials. In addition, I wanted to mentor others, just as I had been mentored and led to this wonderful opportunity.
I am proud to say that over the past two years, your board has accomplished great things. Some accomplishments are large and benefit our certificants on a grand scale. The Insight video promoting diabetic limb salvage and the critical role that WOCNCB nurses play in saving limbs and changing lives went out to millions of viewers. The video illustrated to executives who have the power to make hiring decisions, and to patients and families who have the motivation and drive to seek the best care, how WOCNCB nurses truly make a difference. Another major project that is currently in progress is the WOC job analysis task force. Once completed in the next few months, each of you will be invited to participate in a survey on actual practice. To reward your efforts, PGP points will be available!
Other accomplishments are more personal. For our colleagues who suffered through this year’s rampant natural disasters, we have replaced certificates, promoted the benevolence fund and allowed extensions.
One extension situation that touched the hearts of all who knew about it is that of Susan Berns, BSN, RN, CWOCN. Please read her touching testimonial to her mother in this issue.
The WOCNCB has increased its visibility by promoting our role at more national conferences, such as the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the National Association of Home Care and Hospice, and by exhibiting at as many regional conferences as possible. We have also positioned each of you “at the table” by providing representation at meetings focused on your future, including the APRN Consensus Model, the CMS QualityNet conference and annual ABNS meetings.
Your board had accomplished great things in the past and promises to do even more in the future. Please consider joining the board and building your own memories and legacy while you positively impact the futures of us all.
Diana Gallagher, MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, CHT
WOCNCB President
What’s your preferred format for reading this newsletter? Take this short survey!
