AACN Conferences offer a broad range of learning opportunities developed by national experts. Be sure to keep a look out for more information about the following local conference.  


The 27th Annual Visions Symposium will be held on Thursday March 6th and Friday March 7th at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park, KS.  This annual program is designed to inform critical and progressive care nurses on updates in practice and changes to practice guidelines.  


Topics that will be presented include: Pediatric Head Injury, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, Athletic Heart, Sepsis, Adrenal Insufficiency in Trauma Patients, Street Drugs, Heat Failure and Hemorrhagic Shock, Tachyarrhythmias, and much, much more. Look for Early Bird Registration details, coming soon!

STEPH OXANDALE, RN
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY PROGRESSIVE CARE UNIT
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HOSPITAL

Why did you become a nurse?
I decided to enter the healthcare field after my dad passed away my freshman year of college. I didn’t know what I wanted to pursue, so I began working in the hospital as a phlebotomist to gain experience and exposure to the various opportunities within healthcare. I decided I wanted to pursue nursing shortly thereafter. I was able to see how nursing could provide that personal care to each patient and family and get them through an extremely vulnerable time in their lives.

What about your job as a nurse makes you most proud?
Being a nurse is very rewarding. I am most proud when I am able to act as a true patient advocate and help the patient make informed decisions. Nursing is not only about caring for the patient immediate needs, but also providing education and making a deep impact on the lives of our patients. I enjoy making a connection with my patient and their family and developing a trusting relationship. It makes me extremely happy and proud when I see my patients come back to the unit once they have healed. It is such a rewarding experience to see them happy, healing and enjoying their life!

Tell us about an extraordinary patient care experience as a progressive care nurse.
As a progressive care nurse I get to experience a variety of patients through the continuum of their hospitalization. The patients come to the unit in a critical state and progress to the level of wellness that they may transition home. This unique level of care allows me to use my critical thinking skills and help educate patients about their disease process.

How has AACN played a role in your career?
AACN has played an important role in my career. AACN has helped with my professional development through certification. I pursued AACN certification by obtaining my PCCN. By obtaining my PCCN it has pushed my development as a progressive care nurse to a new level and increased my education. AACN is a great support for continued development. The educational offerings that are available, especially at the local level, are outstanding.

Lisa Riggs RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Director of Quality & Safety SLH

Lisa Riggs RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, CCRN has recently been elected to the National AACN Board. As a national AACN member since 1984, she has an extensive history with both our local chapter and AACN national. On a national level, Lisa has served on Nominating Committee in 2008-2009, and the Evidence Based Practice Workgroup in 2010-2013 (two years as chairperson).

Locally, Lisa has been a chapter member since 1990, serving in nearly every role, including serving as President from 1999-2000 and 2006-2007. She has also participated in the Education and Visions Symposium planning committee. She has also served as a CCRN Review, Publication and Critical Care Consortium Coordinator.

The Director of the National AACN Board is a three year appointment on an 11 member board, in addition to a president and president-elect.  The responsibilities of the Board of Directors are:

-Assure the organization maintains and holds true to the mission, vision and values of AACN
-Evaluates the performance of the CEO
-Participates in developing the strategic direction of the organization
-Ensure and adequately manage resources of the organization
-Maintain and strengthen AACN programs and services
-Ensure legal and ethical accounta-bility of the organization

The highest priority for the Board of Directors this year is the interviewing, selection and hiring of the new CEO. After 12 years as the CEO, Wan-da Johanson will be retiring. The second highest priority facing the Board of Di-rectors over the next few years is main-taining the mission, vision and values of AACN in the ever changing healthcare environment.

Please join us in congratulating Lisa on her appointment to this important role! 

I would like to welcome all of our new Board members who have made the commitment to serve our chapter this year. I would also like to express my gratitude to the outgoing Board members. Our new Board transition meeting occurred in June.

I would also like to express my profound thanks to our past Vision chairs – Cheryl Rader and Paula Ising who have worked extremely hard since 2010. Without their hard work, we would not have enjoyed education from such speakers as Beth Hammer, Mary Stahl, Debbie Sum-mers, Barb McLean, Christine Schulman, Kathleen Vollman and Tom Ahrens and many more. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!