ANA-Illinois is launching our newest program – Nurses Running for Elected Office (NREO) Training Academy. The inaugural six-month training academy provides training and resources for nurses interested in running for elected office at the local, state, and federal levels. In 2023, we will welcome a diverse group of nurses from around the state into the…

According to WebCE, professional development “refers to continuing education and career training after a person has entered the workforce in order to help them develop new skills, stay up-to-date on current trends, and advance their career.” While professional development is critical for all career paths, for nurses, it is especially important. Nursing Professional Development Importance…

Proposed Update to Legislative Platform The Legislative Platform is a series of statements that serves as ANA-Illinois’ official record of positions on legislative issues and is the guide for the association’s advocacy efforts.  It contains seven sections: Access to Quality Care Funding Nursing Education and Research Financing Health Care Advance the Profession of Nursing Public…

The election for the ANA-Illinois Officers and Directors will be held online from September 17 thru October 1st. The election will be conducted electronically. Watch your email and this website www.ana-illinois.org  for additional details. All terms are for two years. To review each candidate’s statement 2022 Candidate Profile Guide 2022 ANA-Illinois slate of candidates in…

5 Tips for New RNs   1. Ask for Help No matter what you decide to do — whether it be jumping into the workforce, changing your specialty area or returning to school for a higher nursing degree — never be afraid to ask for help from those who have done it before. One option…

Are you looking for an opportunity to share your work with other nursing professionals? Submit your poster presentation for ANA-Illinois’ 2022 Professional Issues Conference! ANA-Illinois invites all nurses, and graduate nursing students to submit an abstract summarizing their nursing research or clinical project for inclusion for our online poster display during the 2022 ANA-Illinois Professional…

Beth Phelps, APRN, DNP, CNP, began her term as the ANA-Illinois Board Secretary in 2021. “The timing was right. It just fit exactly with what I’d been wanting to do. It was perfect,” says Beth. Current Work in Urgent Care, Teaching Beth is an acute care nurse practitioner at Springfield Clinic in Springfield, Illinois. She’s…

The ANA-Illinois Board of Directors is issuing a call for appointments for the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee.  The board recently approved the development of this new standing committee based on the recommendations from the Expert Panel on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee – (1/2 of those appointed will serve…

The Illinois Nurses Foundation is proud to announce the 2022 40 under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award winners. This award was established in 2015 by the Illinois Nurses Foundation to highlight and celebrate young nurse leaders. It celebrates those who are impacting health care and the nursing profession today and who will undoubtedly shape the…

Sarah Ailey, PhD RN FAAN, is a professor in the College of Nursing at Rush University Medical Center, which “has a history of being on the forefront of healthcare for people with disabilities.” “I’m a mother of a 46-year-old son with intellectual disabilities, so there’s that aspect of it. I have that family advocate role.…