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Two Local Chapters Share Hosting Duties for NTI
Two AACN Chapters - the Greater Chicago Area and the
Northwest Chicago Area Chapters – have come together to host one of the
largest NTIs in the association’s history. Stressing the importance of
teamwork in planning the massive event, both chapter presidents believe the
strength of the program and quality of the education mean attendees will have a
great experience personally and professionally.
The chapters will staff a booth in the Resource
Center, serving as a lost and found and selling T-shirts to attendees who want
to take the NTI experience home with them.
Never Too Late
One of the primary messages for the Greater Chicago
Area Chapter is attracting people to the nursing profession, said Chapter
President Gerri Kaye, herself a prime example that not all paths to nursing are
the same. Kaye took art classes in college before becoming interested in
healthcare at the age of 22. She was drawn to critical care and pursued her
post-graduate degree. Starting as a staff nurse, she worked her way up to
clinical instructor and clinical nurse specialist. She has been with
Chicago’s Weiss Hospital for 10 years. Her leadership roles at her
hospital were a natural start for her to become an AACN member and start
assuming leadership roles within the association.
To recruit others into nursing and to advance in their
careers, Kaye and the Greater Chicago Chapter have conducted review courses and
certification exams for critical care nurses, as well as assisted with
cardiovascular conferences.
“We’re here for support, for education and
we’re very proud of what we do,” Kaye said.
Kaye’s leadership team comprises members from
five area hospitals, who are in constant communication, both to advance their
chapter and to assist in planning NTI.
Recognize Your Achievements
The Northwest Chicago Area Chapter has been preparing
for its role in co-hosting NTI with its annual Midwest Conference, which
celebrated its 34th anniversary in March.
“A lot of people call it a mini NTI,” said
Chapter President Cindy Ruiz.
The Midwest Conference offers concurrent breakout
sessions and many opportunities to educate chapter members on all aspects of
nursing. Ruiz’s chapter also offers scholarships to nursing students and
members if they are going back to school. Members that volunteer or provide
services in any way earn eligibility for scholarships or reimbursement as a way
to encourage contributions to the profession and to help keep education a
number one priority in their fields.
Ruiz is an AACN veteran with more than 20 years as a
member. Currently specializing in education, orientation and consultation at
Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill., Ruiz has been a member
of the Northwest Chicago Chapter for a decade, and became president earlier
this year.
With her perspective as a local chapter member and
leader, Ruiz believes a vital role for the local chapter is to educate nurses
and encourage them to take time to celebrate their profession. At a recent
speaker session that Ruiz attended, an ad slogan resonated with her: “I
just saved somebody’s life: What did you do?”
“It’s so true,” Ruiz said. “I just
don’t think nurses really sit back and look at what they do.”
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