It all started 100 years ago when a group of dedicated nurses in Wisconsin saw the importance of nursing being viewed as its own profession. The Wisconsin Nurses Association became incorporated for this reason, and others, that remain the same today. The other reasons for WNA becoming a formally incorporated legal professional organization include:

It is for these reasons that WNA is celebrating our past 100 years beginning with the 2009 Convention and Annual Meeting, which is scheduled from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24. The conference and meeting will be held at the place where it all began 100 years ago, the Pfister Hotel, which is located in downtown Milwaukee.

Overview of the 2009 Centennial Celebration

WNA’s Centennial Celebration will include educational offerings, a little business, interesting history, and a lot of socializing and networking. There will also be opportunities for supporting our colleagues and future nursing work force.

Education

Individuals attending the conference will find a variety of educational offerings geared toward practicing nurses, nursing students, nurse educators and nurse managers and leaders. The keynote presenters are nationally and internationally recognized nurse leaders who will be providing their thoughts and reflections on nurses and nursing as leaders and advocates. The keynote presenters are Barbara Nichols, former ANA and WNA president and currently the CEO of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools; Tim Porter O’Grady, nursing leadership consultant and author of the concept of “shared governance for nursing within health care institutions;” and ANA’s leader, president Rebecca Patton. The conference will also include breakout sessions that include relevant and informational topics of interest to nurses today.

On Thursday, Oct. 22, there will be two pre-conference educational offerings. WNA’s Parish Nurse Coalition will sponsor “Celebrating Joy in the Journey” and the Wisconsin Environmental Health Nursing Coalition will sponsor “Bisphenol A Investigated – Should We Be Concerned?”

Events beyond the educational offerings

Throughout the three-day celebration, you will find a variety of opportunities for socializing, networking and having some fun. The events include the Thursday, Oct. 22 Networking Dinner and Nursing History Trivia Game. The evening will end with the WNA Variety Show, which will allow individuals and/or groups attending the convention to provide a little entertainment – talent is optional. Everyone is welcome to participate in the WNA Variety Show and who knows, it could be the stepping stone to a career in entertainment or reinforcement that you should stay in your career as a nurse. On Friday, you will have time to meet and become informed on the various products and services provided by our exhibitors.

The evening of Friday, Oct. 23 is WNA’s 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner. This event will include entertainment, reflections and recognition of the Wisconsin nurses who contributed to the profession of nursing. Gala Dinner guests will receive a complimentary copy of “Looking Back — Moving Forward: The Wisconsin Nurses Association 1909-2009.” This publication was authored by distinguished Wisconsin Nurses, Signe Scott Cooper, Laurie Glass and Joyce Esser Anderson, with contributing support by Barbara Gessner and Selma Brophy.

The conference will come to a close on Saturday after the luncheon and fashion show of nursing uniforms from our past. This will be narrated by Nurse Historian and past WNA president, Laurie Glass.

A little business

The WNA’s annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. and reconvening on Friday, Oct. 23 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Nurses attending will receive a printed copy of WNA’s annual report. Action items will include voting on proposed changes to the WNA bylaws and the four reference proposals. The four reference proposals submitted to the membership for action are Exploration of and Promotion of the Role of the RN in “Family Care,” Assuring an Active Provider Role for Advanced Practice Nurses in “Medical Homes,” 2009-2011 WNA Goals, and Celebration of Wisconsin Nurses Association 100th Anniversary.

Fund raising for nursing scholarships and research

The Nurses Foundation of Wisconsin (NFW) will offer a variety of fund raising opportunities of which the proceeds will be used to support nursing educational scholarship and research programs. NFW will be launching their Honor a Colleague campaign which allows an individual or individuals to submit the name of a nurse to be enrolled in the Honor a Colleague program. The tax deductible contribution of $25 or more will provide the individual nurse who is receiving the recognition, will be listed in the Gala Dinner Program booklet, receive a Nightingale Pin and certificate indicating the name(s) of the person(s) submitting the award.

The NFW will also be sponsoring the Silent Auction that will take place before, during and at the close of the Gala Dinner. As in the past, the Silent Auction will have many items of interest available for bidding. All of the contributions to the Silent Auction are tax deductible.

WNA hopes that everyone will want to come and participate in WNA’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. You do not need to be a member of WNA to attend the Conference. To receive the 2009 Conference and Meeting Brochure, contact WNA at 1-800-362-3959 ext 10 or go to WNA’s Web site at www.wisconsinnurses.org, where you can register online.