Arkansas Center for Nursing, Inc.

Attention Arkansas Nurses... One of our BSN Young Leaders is conducting a survey to understand the role nurses play in health policy and professional advocacy. The survey should take no more than 2-3 minutes to complete. We would love to hear from you whether or not you have personally been involved in advocacy or policy. Also, feel free to share this with other Arkansas nurses.

https://acfn.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b2xiKQQMWRf9cQm

The Arkanas Center for Nursing is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40. This is the 10th year for the ACN to recognize emerging nurse leaders. With record-breaking numbers of nominations, this was the most competitive selection process to date. These nurses were selected based on their commitment to excellence, service, and outreach within their community, leadership qualities, and contributions to the advancement of the nursing profession.

These nurses will be recognized in our annual Leadership and Legacy Recognition Ceremony on October 14th. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, check out the details on our website www.arcenterfornursing.org/40-nurse-leaders-under-40

Congratulations to the Arkansas Center for Nursing’s Board President, Dr. Sarah Bemis, for being named to the 2024 class of Great 100 Nurses!!

Do you know an Arkansas Nurse with 20+ years of service (either retired or still working) who has left a mark on the health of their community and the profession of nursing? We are still taking nominations for the 2024 Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award. Nominations have been extended until August 1st. Don't wait! Nominate a Nurse Legend today!

https://forms.gle/cR9LiqJjZHTz7jgR6

The latest nursing workforce numbers are in! Be watching for our 2024 State of the Nursing Workforce Report coming this fall.

GREAT NEWS!

We have extended our 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 deadline to JULY 15th. You still have time to nominate a deserving nurse leader today!

https://forms.gle/9mryjGBv4S8cv6j5A

Did you know?!

Did you know that the Arkansas Center for Nursing now has a job board? Members of the ACN can now post job openings on our Job Board, hosted by our new and improved website. You must be a member of the ACN to post a job opening, but anyone can view the jobs through our Career Center. Organizational Members of the ACN enjoy significant discounts on all job postings.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member, please message us or visit our website at www.arcenterfornursing.org

Only 1 week remaining to nominate a deserving nurse for the 2024 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 award. Don't miss out! Follow the link below or visit us on our website www.arcenterfornursing.org

https://forms.gle/RENXE9wJCpvKkQmC9

The Arkansas Center for Nursing is excited to announce that the 2024 Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award Nominations are now OPEN. Nominations will remain open until July 15. Nominate a NURSE LEGEND today!

https://forms.gle/fpQcY9oHgiZ9M9Nt7

Congratulations to the 2024 BSN Young Leaders! These young leaders will be paired with a nurse mentor and will engage in a unique nurse leadership experience over the summer. The 2024 BSN Young Leaders were selected through a highly competitive selection process of students from baccalaureate nursing programs from around the state.

The Arkansas Center for Nursing is happy to announce that the 2024 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 Nominations are now open! Please share with your colleagues and nominate a deserving nurse today.

To nominate a nurse, follow the link below:
https://forms.gle/MNDAZfbNig3kc7pi9

The Arkansas Center for Nursing hopes that this week has been full of celebrations and recognition of the incredible work being done by the more than 60,000 nurses throughout the State of Arkansas. As the most trusted profession and the backbone of the healthcare infrastructure, we hope that you have been shown in some way, just how important your contributions and sacrifices are to the health and wellbeing of those around you.

The ACN is preparing to launch its new and improved website, where we hope to be able to celebrate nurses all year long. We would love for you to share with us your favorite memories from Nurse's Week 2024. Post your pictures and memories in the comments below and we will do our best to highlight them on our new website when it is launched next month.

The 2024 BSN Young Leaders Program Application is now LIVE! Please tag a BSN Nursing Student below.

You can apply by following the link below:
https://forms.gle/AXjKBTcyfVUvxZbt7

Our 2023 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40, BSN Young Leaders, and our Inaugural Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award winners are all highlighted in this issue of the ASBN Update.

Check out the latest ASBN Update - https://epubs.thinknurse.com/publication/?i=808494
-Recognizing Arkansas' Great Nursing Leaders
-IV Spa Hydration, Should I be Doing This?

We are pleased to announce our newly elected Board of Directors members!

Our 2023 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 28th from 5:00-7:00 pm. Please follow the QR code below or go to https://acfn.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0IZ2CaLhLDCM1tc to register to receive the meeting link.

We will be approving our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan and electing 3 new members to the Board of Directors. Please visit our website for more details. ARCenterforNursing.org

We had a record-breaking attendance for our 2023 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 Recognition Ceremony yesterday. It was a great day celebrating our 40 Under 40 and recognizing our Innagural Arkansas Legacy Award Winners. Here is a sneak peek at the pictures from yesterday. To view the entire album and download a free copy of your favorites, visit Christie Heidelberg Photography's website at

https://christieheidelbergphotography.smugmug.com/2023-Arkansas-Center-for-Nursing-40-Under-40

We would also like to extend a special "Thank You" to all our vendors who do such amazing work for us every year! JustPeachy Twigs Vibrant Occasions Catering Benton Event Center Central Arkansas Entertainment Alright Printing Company Christie Heidelberg Photography

This article hits on several of the same issues we face in Arkansas. The Arkansas Center for Nursing is working hard, alongside several other nursing and workforce organizations in the State, to address these issues. You can also read about the work being done in Arkansas in the latest edition of the Healthcare Journal of Arkansas.

Nursing schools are turning away thousands of applicants during a major nursing shortage. Here's why | CNN Business At a time when registered nurses are going on strike to protest staffing shortages, thousands of applicants who want to enter or advance in the profession are being turned away from nursing schools.

The Arkansas Center for Nursing was featured in the latest edition of the Healthcare Journal of Arkansas, highlighting the efforts during the 2023 Arkansas Legislative Session. Be sure to check out the article starting on page 10.

https://www.healthcarejournalar.com/sites/default/files/journal/fb/HJAR-2023-sep-oct/index.html

2023 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 Join us as we celebrate this year's 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 and recognize our inaugural Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award recipients.

We have been excited by the overwhelming response to our 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 and our Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award recipient announcements. We realize that some of these nurses may have had a profound impact on you and your nursing career. Therefore, we have decided to offer you the chance to purchase tickets to the event. Please follow the link below if you would like to attend and celebrate with these incredible nurses.

2023 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 Join us as we celebrate this year's 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 and recognize our inaugural Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award recipients.

Our next introduction to the Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award winners is Faith A. Fields. Faith is best known for her visionary leadership and tireless efforts to advance nursing in Arkansas during her tenure as the Executive Director of the Arkansas State Board or Nursing. A colleague of Faith's best described her legacy as:

"Faith's accomplishments are a testament to her steady commitment to nursing. Her leadership, strategic vision, and ability to mobilize diverse stakeholders have transformed the nursing profession and educational landscape. In light of Faith's leadership and contributions to the nursing profession, the Board of Nursing recognized her by establishing the Faith A. Fields Nursing Scholarship, an ongoing scholarship for future nursing students. Faith exemplifies the highest standard of professionalism, compassion, and integrity. Even in retirement, her influence extends far beyond her immediate sphere of influence; those she inspired continue to strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact on the nursing profession."

Thank You, Faith, for your service to the profession of nursing.

Our next introduction to the Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award winners is Dr. Claudia Beverly. Dr. Beverly is known both as a champion for advancing nursing practice as well as an esteemed advocate for the care of older adults. A colleague of Dr. Beverly's best described her legacy as:

"Dr. Beverly's legacy is two-fold, through her involvement in the establishment of the Arkansas Action Coalition and through her work with geriatric nursing. Dr. Beverly was a Founding Co-Chair of the Arkansas Action Coalition, which later became the Arkansas Center for Nursing. Possibly more notable, is Dr. Beverly's legacy for geriatric nursing in Arkansas. Dr. Beverly secured millions of dollars in her role as Founding Director of the Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence and the Arkansas Aging Initiative. Through the Hartford Center and the Arkansas Aging Initiative, Dr. Beverly has worked tirelessly to improve the nursing care of older adults and their families throughout Arkansas. "

Thank You, Dr. Beverly, for your service to the profession of nursing.

Our next introduction to the Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award winners is Dr. Claudia Barone. Dr. Barone is nationally recognized as an expert and transcendent researcher in to***co cessation. A colleague of Dr. Barone's best described her legacy as:

"Dr. Barone's dedication to to***co cessation is legendary, shaping to***co cessation at UAMS and in Arkansas and the United States. She has held leadership positions on multiple to***co cessation committees, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration's To***co Products Scientific Advisory Committee. Dr. Barone has influenced and improved health policy in relation to to***co use. She has also trained hundreds of healthcare providers to guide their patients in breaking their addiction to to***co and other ni****ne products. She has also worked with thousands of patients to help them quit to***co use, improve their quality of life, and add years to their lifespan. "

Thank You, Dr. Barone, for your service to the profession of nursing.

Our next introduction to the Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award winners is Terri Imus. Terri is best known as a pioneer in the use of digital health to improve access to quality health care for Arkansans in the most remote parts of the State. A colleague of Terri's best described her legacy as:

"Terri has left a legacy defined by unwavering dedication to patient care and advocacy, where nursing embraces technology to create specialty care that can be found anywhere, not just in major medical centers. Throughout her career, she has played a central role in developing programs that address the critical issue of patient access to care, making a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals and families, especially for the hardest-to-reach populations. Through her innovative use of technology, unwavering commitment to patient needs, and bridging gaps in healthcare access, Terri Imus has improved patient outcomes, enhanced patient experience, and saved countless lives, even when working in non-clinical settings. Terri's exemplary work sets a high standard for healthcare professionals and will continue to shape the healthcare field for years to come."

Thank You, Terri, for your service to the profession of nursing.

Our first introduction to the Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award winners is Dr. Barbara Darlene Byrd. Dr. Byrd is best known for her advocacy and health policy efforts that span nearly three decades. A colleague of Dr. Byrd's best described her legacy as:

"Dr. Byrd has shaped nursing and APRN practice over the last 25 years through her advocacy, membership on boards and committees, and clinical and faculty practice. Many of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules, Position Statements, and policies can be traced back to Dr. Byrd's service. Dr. Byrd has pushed to improve access to healthcare through rural health initiatives, payment reform, and scope of practice legislation and regulation. She will long be remembered by students and colleagues for her professional advocacy, high standards, and ability to get things done."

Thank You, Dr. Byrd, for your service to the profession of nursing.

The Arkansas Center for Nursing is thrilled to announce the Innagural Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award winners for 2023. For most of our followers, these nurses need no introduction. However, we will spend the next week or so highlighting some of their career accomplishments. We will honor these Heroes of the Profession at our 2023 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 Award Ceremony on October 16th.

If you would like to attend the event, you may purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/698502689347?aff=oddtdtcreator

ASBN staff members (Sue Tedford, Shannon McKinney, Tammy Vaughn) talking to the CE Broker representative at the NCSBN Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL

The Arkansas Center for Nursing is proud to announce the 2023 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40. This year was one of the most competitive years we have ever had. Congratulations to these nurse leaders and to all the incredible nominees.