Hanson Reflects on Leadership Accomplishments and Tenure

As his presidential term winds down, Dave Hanson recognized significant accomplishments in outstanding chapter leadership over the last year in opening remarks at Sunday’s Chapter Leadership Development Workshop. Additionally, he spoke on the critical role that members and chapters play in the growth of AACN as well as the challenges in promoting the work of the association.

Recognizing Successes

Applications for the 2008 Chapter President’s Award reached a record level, Hanson said. This growth exemplifies the climbing numbers of achievements of association members and chapters.

“On behalf of the AACN board of directors, thank you to the chapters receiving an award,” Hanson said before he recognized the following chapters as recipients of the honor: Greater Birmingham Chapter, Greater Cincinnati Chapter, Lake Erie Chapter and South Central Alaska Chapter.

A Traveling Mission

Hanson spent most of his year as AACN president traveling around the country visiting different regions and speaking to chapter members. Expressing his sincere regret in being unable to visit all 19 regions, Hanson shared the inspirational stories felt by those with whom he was able to meet and thanked them for their commitment to quality and advancement of the association’s mission.

“It was inspiring to see the great things happening in our chapters,” Hanson said. “I have seen first-hand the fantastic work you are doing within your communities.”

His travels to the Mountain to Sound chapter in Seattle included tours of 11 units and 5 hospitals, which combined to produce eight Beacon Award winning units.

While visiting the South Bay chapter in California he attended a celebration dinner where he was pleased to see the positive emphasis being placed on certification. As explained to him, nurses there only fit within two categories – they are either certified or going to be certified. This kind of certification promotion raises the bar within the profession and expands the current mission of the association, he said.

Overcoming Struggles

Also in his travels, Hanson was confronted with the struggles some chapters face in fulfilling the AACN mission and was buoyed by those that are brimming with positive results. The Palm Beach County Chapter continues its board member recruitment efforts by attempting for new and non-traditional avenues of recruitment. Other chapters, including the Suffolk County Chapter of New York, are experiencing member recruitment issues, but are developing new chapter Web sites that are intended to connect members to one another nationwide.

Hanson’s closing remarks underscored his gratitude and appreciation for the work of critical-care nurses nationwide.

“Your unwavering commitment to working in your communities to move the AACN vision forward inspires me and the board of directors,” Hanson said. “It has brought me so much satisfaction personally and professionally. I have had a wonderful year as your AACN president and I want you to know that it could not have been possible without you.”