Happy February everyone. As promised, this is the third of my monthly ‘President Blogs’ the purpose of which is to keep you updated on what your Board is doing on your behalf, and hopefully to generate discussion/debate/suggestions from our members on what IntNSA is doing and how we can go from ‘Great to Greater’.
2020-2022 Strategy and Work Programme
As part of our work the Board are mindful that if we are going to do anything with pace we need ‘more hands-on deck’. We are also aware that our members are really excited about the direction IntNSA is taking and want to help. To tap into this energy, you will have received an eBlast from me last week with a ‘Call to Action’. If you missed it no worries just click on the link and if you feel you have some time (no matter how little) complete the sign-up form. Since sending out the eBlast I am pleased to report that we have already received a number of offers of help for each of the four focus areas: Realignment; Membership; Financial Health; and Comms and Branding. Thank you on behalf of the Focus Area Leads – we had a Work Programme meeting today and they will be in touch with those members this week to begin exploring how you can begin to assist with our efforts.
By way of update
Realignment: Dana Murphy-Parker and Sue Newton are in the process of setting up a working group for the USA Country Chapter formation, and a working group to explore the adaptations required to scaffold a ‘global structure’ to meet the needs of all Country Chapters. If you are interested in being part of these discussions please let us know via the ‘call to action’ link. There will also be a call out to Chapter Presidents to get their views and inputs.
Membership: Adrian Jugdoyal and Rachel Shuster will, in the first instance, begin canvassing members views on why they are ‘attracted’ to IntNSA; what keeps them with IntNSA; and more importantly what do they ‘want or need’ from IntNSA. In addition to canvassing IntNSA members – we are keen to also understand what IntNSA needs to do to attract ‘chapter members’ (who may not be ‘full members’ of IntNSA). IntNSA is seeking to be an inclusive Society and wants to ensure that the membership offer is attractive to a broad base of nurses. It is hoped that the findings of this survey will set out the next strategic steps IntNSA will take as it seeks to expand its membership footprint globally. Please keep an eye out for the survey which will be coming out to you over the coming month.
Financial Health: Susanne Fogger and Robert Ranieri have begun working with one of our consultants on IntNSA’s strategy for long term financial stability.
Comms and Branding: Kris Waite-Labott and Sean Collinge are currently working up a ‘campaign’ to coincide with The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as ‘World Drug Day’, which is celebrated annually on 26 June. The UN General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of problematic substance use. Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. IntNSA will be exploring how to ‘position’ the role of nurses within this space and by doing so bring attention to the key role nurses play in making a difference in the lives of individuals, their families and communities impacted by problematic substance use.
IntNSA European Region
Last month I mentioned that the European Region is hoping to get together to consider hosting a joint conference in the autumn of 2021, and to generally explore how IntNSA can play a greater role in driving the agenda around the ‘scope of standards and practice’ and ‘certification’ in Addictions Nursing in this Region. A zoom meeting for 22nd March has now been set so watch this space for updates in my March blog.
Meetings with our Ex-officios
IntNSA Executive Board members met with our Editor in Chief of the Journal of Addictions Nursing Dr Ann Mitchell in February, who reports that our Journal is doing extremely well. You may find it interesting to check out the following site which offers a quick overview of the Journal’s performance, in particular its impact factor (IF). The IF is commonly used to evaluate the relative importance of a journal within its field and to measure the frequency with which the “average article” in a journal has been cited in a particular time period. As the key Journal in our field please support by continuing to submitting articles.
The Board also met with Nancy Altman the President of the Foundations of Addiction Nursing (FAN). Nancy and her new Board are settling into their roles and have a range of ideas on how to take FAN forward and build back better post the Pandemic. FAN, alongside IntNSA, are mindful that our members have been going through a challenging period, and as an important part of the IntNSA family FAN plays a crucial role in advancing the addictions nursing specialty through the support of scholarships and grants. FAN remain grateful to all our members for their continued support and would like to remind everyone all donations are gratefully received via the FAN Online Donation portal.
The Board have yet to meet up formally with the FIAAN group, but a date is almost set. We are aware that the group are currently actively meeting and reviewing their plans for 2020/21, and seeking to identify a new ‘leadership team’ as Dana Murphy-Parker, the current President, has now taken up her role as IntNSA’s President-Elect, and is seeking to pass on the reins. Updates on the outcome of our FIAAN meeting will be shared in my March Blog.
IntNSA’s First 2020 Global Conference Engagement Report
Finally, I am pleased to be able to share with you hot off the press our first Global Conference Engagement Report. As you will be aware this was IntNSA’s first time to go virtual and although the decision was taken in response to the pandemic, the results indicate it was a huge success. Key successes at a glance show we had 955 attendees registered, representing 53 different countries. There was a total of 22 live events, 38 pre-recorded sessions and 21 virtual posters presentations, with 46,709 page views. For those who understand and appreciate the impact of social media – we had 1.1 million impressions on Twitter, 29,413 reached on Facebook and 5.9k view on YouTube! Just amazing and congratulations to everyone who assisted, supported, organised, presented, shared, engaged – a big thank you. Click here to read the full report.
I will sign off for now but please feel free to reach out to me or any of the Board members if you would like to discuss anything shared in this blog or if you have any other thoughts or ideas that you would like to see the Board address.
Have a great month and stay well and stay safe!
President Carmel Clancy
February 28, 2021
