P.O. Box 18285
Austin, Texas 78760
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Summer
2005
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As I sit staring at the computer screen trying to compose my first words as president of this organization, I am drawn to our purpose statement, which sounds noble and, quite frankly, almost impossible to do: "The Texas Organization for Associate Degree Nursing was established to advance the status of the Associate Degree Nurse in education and in practice." Who is TOADN? As a group, we are primarily associate degree nurse educators. We are dedicated to the concept of quality ADN education and are fiercely protective of the ADN as the appropriate level for entry into practice. All of us have advanced degrees. Some of us completed our basic nursing education at diploma schools or community colleges and know first hand the value of that educational beginning. I think it is safe to say that most of us encourage our graduates to continue their formal nursing education, because we believe that education makes a difference in patient outcomes and a more educated workforce ultimately strengthens our profession. When we get together, we talk about educational challenges and network with each other for support and solutions. We are aware of and concerned about those workplace issues that call for curricular changes, but after initial licensure we have less direct involvement in the ADN workforce. When we include student sessions at our annual meetings, student attendees outnumber members. So, exactly how does TOADN advance the status of the ADN in education and practice in Texas? First and foremost, TOADN is involved in policy decision making. TOADN representatives serve on committees that impact the rules and regulations for nurse education, licensure, and practice (Advisory Committee on Education - ACE) and coalitions that address nursing education policy (Nursing Education Policy Coalition - NEPC; Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition - NLAC). TOADN representatives are at the table with our TOBGNE colleagues protecting the status of ADN graduates as we advance the quality of nursing in Texas.
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The thank you letter below was written by a student at Kingwood College participating in the special grant WINNER. The student, Nancy Mach, was randomly selected to participate in a precepted clinical model. The only remaining preceptor was an ICU nurse and this was a first semester beginning student! Though the faculty coordinator and director both had doubts of the success of such a match, the preceptor assured them that she would follow clinical objectives of the course and help the student meet them. As you see from the letter below, it was a great success and the student highly recommends it. Dear Marianne,
First of all, a huge Thank You for giving me such an incredible experience on my first clinical! I’ll never forget the winter and spring of 2005. You mentioned to me that you’d like the impressions of my experiences for an article that you might be writing about introducing a Nursing I student to clinicals in an SICU environment. I’m more than happy to share.
I’m thinking of writing my own book in the future, calling it “Back to School at Your Age?”, based on some of the reactions I received, not from my most supportive immediate family, but from people who are merely acquaintances. Becoming a nurse has always been my desire. I come from a family that produces strong, intelligent women; however, the concept of getting an education and having a career outside the home was discouraged. The goal was “get a good husband and successfully raise a family”. (The idea of doing both was never entertained.) Two of our children are in healthcare and find it immensely gratifying. My husband’s family are engineers and accountants. Our first daughter became a CPA....that they understood, but I’ve heard them say of the other two, “where do the genes come from that make them want to go into medicine?” I always knew...from me. Spring Meeting The TOADN Spring Convention, "Mapping Our Destiny" was held in Austin in February at the Renaissance Hotel.
More
photos from the meeting... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcements All
the following events are at the Omni in Austin South Park (same
location as spring '05): Welcome New TOADN Members! Paula
Olesen, MSN, RN Judy
Staley Donna
Wofford, RN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quotable Quote "Come
my friends, 'tis not too late to seek a newer world." --
Tennyson |
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