VT ORGANIZATION OF NURSE LEADERS’ (VONL) INITIATIVES
FEATURED AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) held their annual conference in March with participation of well over one thousand nurse leaders from around the nation and globally, including excellent representation from Vermont.
During the conference, Jill Lord, MS, RN, Director of Patient Services at Mt.Ascutney Hospital, and President-Elect of VONL, presented an educational session featuring the VT Nursing Internship Program. The program, developed and piloted last year through a statewide effort initiated by VONL, sparked interest from our nursing colleagues from across the nation. Several states indicated interest in developing similar programs.
In addition to the Internship Program, other Vermont initiatives, such as the Freeman Nurse Scholar Award, loan forgiveness program and the Center for Nursing were discussed at various breakout sessions and were all well received. It was validating and clearly evident that Vermont’s accomplishments and future work is in alignment with AONE and the American Hospital Association’s strategic plan for 2001-2001.
As quoted by one of the conference presenters, Joan Webb, "If you want to achieve greatness, you start where you are, you use what you have, you do what you can." Hats off to the Vermont nurses who have embarked on the journey!
Roseanne Palmer, RN
Director of Inpatient Services
Central VT Hospital