Happy Spring everyone! We are all well into the new year already. Hopefully, everyone is settled into 2015 and well on the way to a successful year caring for trauma patients. The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) annual conference is very quickly approaching, and we hope that everyone has been able to get registered to attend. The conference will be held in beautiful Jacksonville, Florida, this year-the weather should be beautiful, the beaches fabulous, and, as expected, the conference chock full of information, opportunity, and networking! Visit the Web site for all of the information about registration and course offerings (http://www.traumanurses.org).
The STN has collaborated with the American Trauma Society to develop a 2-day injury prevention coordinator course, which will kick off with their inaugural course on March 28 to 29 in Jacksonville, right after the conference! We hope that you and your injury prevention coordinators will join these 2 organizations for this exciting opportunity. Our injury prevention coordinators are an integral part of our trauma team and it is time we formally recognize both their contribution and their educational needs.
Your new board of directors will meet Tuesday before the conference and will be busy at work, ensuring that the STN continues to be relevant, timely, and effectively serving you throughout the next year. At the top of our list of accomplishments will be the trauma nurse certification examination and the exciting collaboration and partnership with Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). This credentialing board (BCEN) controls the examination; however, review materials are available through the STN. Please check our Web site for more information (http://www.traumanurses.org). Beta-testing is still scheduled for the fall of this year with the examination formally kicking off in the spring of 2016. Be sure to closely watch the STN Web site for beta-testing information as we expect that this testing examination will sell out in short order!
The STN leadership Institute has admitted their official inaugural class-congratulations to all of the participants! The Leadership Institute recognizes the unique leadership qualities necessary for the trauma program manager/director to be successful in their role across the continuum of trauma care from bedside to boardroom.
Ready to get more involved in your society? Attend a preconference or a special interest group meeting at the annual conference. Catch up and introduce yourself to the members of the Board of Directors or the amazing STN staff. Can't attend the conference? Check out our Web site for information on how to get more involved. There are special interest groups, a mentorship program, and educational opportunities.
The membership committee has organized terrific monthly educational webinars for CEU that are available to our members at no cost. TOPIC, OPTIMAL, and ATCN continue to be offered across the country. SLIP (falls prevention) and the e-library are also available to you.
Trauma Awareness month is quickly approaching. The STN and the ATS have collaborated to bring materials to you-check out the Web site in April to see what is available to you for a successful trauma awareness month. Be sure that you are subscribed to the list serve to find out what is hot in discussion across the trauma world and watch your inbox for the monthly newsletter chock full of what's new.
As always, we appreciate all of our readers and our Society members. YOU are why this organization exists and for whom the Board diligently serves. We want to hear from you and we want you to feel welcomed to be involved in the organization. Trauma people are truly a family of individuals who wake each day to keep our communities safe and to provide excellent care to ensure the best outcomes after injury. THANKS for all you do. We hope to see you all in Jacksonville!!!