Board Update

Rachael Zastrow, NNP-BC APNP CPNP-PC
NANN President

Happy New Year, NANN members! I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season with family, friends, our patients and families. As I reflect on 2023, I am very proud of the NANN board of directors and the NANNP council, as these women leaders have done amazing work to continue to make this the best professional association for you, our members. Your needs have changed coming out of COVID-19, and we are listening! Some of the 2023 highlights include two new membership categories (E-membership and Associate Membership), 3 new products launched in iLearn, including institutional access, continued partnership with Synova for the Emerging Leader Fellowship program, 9 amazing research summit participants, 25 international delegates, one new chapter and almost 1500 new first-time NANN members!

This same level of dedication and hard work will continue in 2024. This year, NANN will continue to develop new, evidenced-based educational products to meet the needs of our members, reengage with our state chapters, continue offering our immensely popular NANNcast podcast by host Jill Beck, prioritize diversity and inclusion with the development of a DEI taskforce, embark on another international delegation with CE opportunity and much, much more! In addition, our Annual Conference Committee (ACC), chaired by Adrienne Isaacs, is hard at work planning an outstanding educational agenda for our 40th annual NANN conference in Orlando, Florida, from September 18-20th, 2024, at the beautiful Hilton Orlando. You are not going to want to miss this must-attend event. For me, the best part of attending the conference is the ability to connect with all of you from around the country, listen to experts in our field on the most innovative neonatal care, and, most importantly, have fun while learning!

There are so many opportunities to get involved in NANN and shape your neonatal practice. In 2023, we welcomed 11 new, first-time NANN volunteers. I know that I speak for many of our volunteers when I say that getting involved in NANN is career and life-changing. Making a difference in the care of the tiniest and most fragile humans is an honor and privilege. Check out our website or social media platforms for information on how to get involved. You can also reach out to anyone on the NANN board of directors or the NANNP council, as we are happy to share our volunteer journey with you!

Thank you for the care that you provide to our neonates and families. You make a difference! Lastly, thank you for allowing us, the NANN board of directors and NANNP, to advocate for and represent nurses and advanced practice nurses as the only neonatal professional nursing association in the country!
Be well,