2013-2014 President's Message
Dear GRAC Members and Prospective Members! August 8, 2013
I am looking forward to another exciting year with AACN. As your President of Greater Raleigh Area Chapter (GRAC), I would like to welcome the chapter members as well as the prospective members. We continue our GRAC Mission: Grow, Renew, Achieve, and Certify. Our new AACN theme is “ Step Forward”. Stepping forward starts with one step at a decisive moment. When we take that first step, our integrity guides us toward the light that helps us forge a new path. Florence Nightingale taught us that we make a powerful statement each time we “step forward” and affirm with confidence that “I am a nurse!”
Take a step. A single step. It can be small or large, but it gets us started. The more steps we take the better our chances for success. Stepping forward leaves an unavoidable wake. Our wake represents our personal character, which changes and grows as we experience life.
Each day and everyday step forward and make a valuable contribution to our patients, their families and co-workers. AACN has identified 6 systemic behaviors that maintain patient safety, ensure optimal outcomes and support excellence in nursing practice. The six standards include: Skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership. Step forward and ask, “ does your work environment support and foster excellence in patient care?” Use the AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool to measure the health of your work environment and to answer this crucial question.
Step forward, make that single step to become involved in GRAC, find the facts how becoming certified benefits patients, employers and nurses, and strive with that step to achieve Beacon award for excellence. This year, we step forward in continuing to support educational programs that focus on current practice issues, networking with other nurses, Fall and Spring community projects and a chance for an NTI scholarship.
I am excited and proud to lead this great GRAC-AACN Chapter. Let’s make this a great year by increasing certification, engaging new nurses and stepping forward into a journey of excellence!
Our first meeting is scheduled for September 12th 6:30pm-8:00pm.. Information will be provided on our website. Step forward at www.greaterraleighchapter.com
Sincerely,
MaryClare Prasnikar, MSN, RN, CCRN
GRAC President 2013-2014
Clinical Nurse Specialist-CV/Heart Failure Coordinator
maryclare.prasnikar@rexhealth.com
