News Journal Archives
A Celebration of Nursing Returns this October
The Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) 123RD Annual Convention will bring nurses from across the state together on October 8 & 9, 2026, at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. This year’s theme, “The Power of Maryland Nurses: Advancing…
A Literature Review of Nurse Practitioner Responses to the Post-COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis
Background Mental health disorders represent a significant and persistent public health challenge worldwide affecting individuals across the lifespan. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, conditions such as anxiety and depression were highly prevalent and placed substantial strain on healthcare systems.…
AI as Partner, Not Replacement: A Nursing Perspective
Jihane Frangieh, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, CNE As we step into a new year, I find myself returning to the same conversations again and again, with faculty colleagues, clinical partners, students, and even friends outside of nursing. How do we…
ANA Membership Assembly
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Membership Assembly (MA), the governing and voting body of ANA consisting of almost 400 RNs convened on June 26 and 27, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Four elected Maryland Nurse Association (MNA)…
ANA Membership Assembly Approves Two Bylaws Amendments
At its Special Meeting on Saturday, June 27, 2026, the ANA Membership Assembly adopted two significant amendments to the ANA Bylaws
Aromatherapy Compliance in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Introduction Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common consequences of anesthesia and occur in approximately 30-80% of patients, depending on the surgical procedure and type of anesthetic provided (Elvir-Lazo et al., 2020). Nausea and vomiting contribute significantly to patient dissatisfaction…
CHANGES! CHANGES!
President’s Message “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” — Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, 1913–1921. Change can unsettle us, but it also invites us to step forward with purpose. In 2026, change is reshaping…
Committees: Where Member Engagement Becomes Statewide Strength
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE: Maryland nurses are entering a new era filled with opportunity. Across our state, nurses are adapting to new demands, expanding their roles, and responding to the needs of diverse communities. As your Executive Director, I witness every…
Conversation with a Nurse Health Policy Advisor in Maryland
To better understand health policy and the role of nurses in Maryland, the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Frangieh engaged in a meaningful conversation with a nurse who is a senior health policy advisor in Maryland. This dialogue provided valuable insights into the…
CRNA Mentorship Program: Inspiring Future Healthcare Professionals
The mission of the CRNA Mentorship Program is to expose, guide, and inspire high school students interested in healthcare careers by providing mentorship opportunities with CRNAs in the operating room (OR) with providing exposure to the perioperative process.
Editorial: Global Nursing and the Power of Connection
Jihane Frangieh, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, CNE In an increasingly interconnected world, nursing stands as a powerful global force. At the 2025 International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress in Helsinki, this was more evident than ever. With nurses from over…
Enhancing Well-being Within Schools of Nursing: A Wellness Committee Pilot
The current state of health and well-being for nurses is cause for concern. Nurses experience high levels of workplace stress, which contributes to poor physical and mental health outcomes and professional burnout (American Association of Colleges of Nurses [AACN], 2020).…
Exploring Disability in Healthcare: Maryland Nursing Students Report Improvements in Comfort, Skill, and Clinical Approach
Introduction In the United States, approximately one in four adults has a disability, making this population one of the largest minority groups in the country (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020; Smeltzer et al., 2017). Globally, over one…
Five-year update: Lessons Learned Launching a Nurse Anesthesia Program in the Midst of a Pandemic
The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (SON) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Track (NAT) received initial accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) in, January 2020, and its inaugural cohort matriculated in May…
From Vision to Action: The Launch of the Outside Track in Nursing Education
Background Community. The single word evokes emotions of support and belonging. When the terms ‘community’ and ‘nursing’ are combined, the idea of home health and public health immediately comes to mind. Upon adding ‘nursing education’ to the collection of words,…
Getting to Know MNA’s New Lobbyist, Jamie DeMarco
Jamie DeMarco of DeMarco Advocacy During the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) 122nd Annual Convention Open Annual Meeting, members were clear about one thing: strong, consistent advocacy in Annapolis matters—now more than ever. As nurses face ongoing workforce challenges, patient care…
How MNA Staff Support Committee Proposal Development
Turning Member Ideas into Statewide Action Strong committees begin with strong ideas, and MNA staff are committed to helping members bring those ideas forward with confidence. Whether you already have a fully formed concept or are just beginning to explore…
Interview Spotlight: Bridging Local and Global Health Through Nursing Innovation
Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jihane Frangieh sits down with Dr. Angela Chang Chui , a leader at the Center for Global Initiatives (CGI) at Johns Hopkins, to explore how CGI empowers nurses to lead in an increasingly interconnected world. Their conversation highlights…
Interview with Dr. Joseph: A Maryland Nurse Elected to National Academy of Medicine
Paule Valery Joseph, PhD, MBA, MS, FNP-BC, CTN-B, FAAN In October 2025, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) elected 100 new members. Among those new members was one nurse: Paule Valery Joseph, PhD, MBA, MS, FNP-BC, CTN-B, FAAN. Joseph, an…
Join the Movement: Celebrating Maryland Nurses at the 123rd Convention
The MNA 2026 Convention Committee, chaired by Dr. Debra Jorae, is preparing an impactful MNA 123rd Annual Convention featuring keynote speaker ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA‑BC, FAAN. With the theme “The Power of Maryland Nurses: Advancing…
Maryland Nurse in Action: Insights from A Health Policy Nurse Expert
Roles and responsibilities as a Chief of Staff for Maryland Department of Health I was appointed Chief of Staff at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) in February 2023. In this role, I bring nearly 15 years of combined state…
Maryland Nurses Association 122nd Annual Convention
Maryland’s nursing community lit up Bethesda this October: energy high, ideas bold, and purpose unmistakable. The Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) proudly hosted its 122nd Annual Convention, Empowering Nurses: Elevating Health, on October 16 and 17, 2025, at the Bethesda Marriott.…
Maryland Nurses Association Member Profile: Christine Frost
Christine Frost The Maryland Nurse Association comprises members from a multitude of positions and specialties, each contributing in their own way to the nursing profession. This occasional column provides an opportunity to highlight those contributions and for readers to learn…
Maryland’s Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit: A Call to Action
Introduction In 2016, Maryland became one of the first states to implement a Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit. The aim of this legislation was to help alleviate healthcare workforce shortages in the State, and it provided a tax incentive to nurse…
Mentorship as a Catalyst for Growth
In today’s fast-changing healthcare landscape, preparing the next generation of nurses requires more than just clinical knowledge; we must pass the torch with intention, with purpose. Far from being optional, mentorship and coaching are vital to the heart of nursing…
MNA 2026 Ballot: Meet the Candidates
President- elect Jennifer F. Bierbaum, DNP, RN, APRN‑CNS, AGCNS‑BC, CENP, CPHQ, GERO‑BC, FCNS Treasurer Sherry B. Perkins, PhD, RN, ACC, FAAN Secretary Debra K. Jorae, MSN, RN, NEA-BC Director at large Cathy Gibson, BSN, RNC-Ob, RNC-MNN, IBCLC, C-EFM; Sadie Parker,…
MNA and ANA Join Forces for Nurses Week
Nurses Week 2026 began with a powerful celebration of nurses and the extraordinary impact they make in our communities every day. In partnership with the American Nurses Association (ANA), Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) staff, including Executive Director Barb Biedrzycki and…
MNA and District Elections Process and Opportunities for 2025
A Report from the MNA Committee on Nominations (CON) Electing your association leaders at both the District and State levels of the organization is one of your fundamental rights in a membership organization. Since 2019, MNA and District elections have…
MNA District 9 Hosts Annual Fall Membership Dinner & CE Event
MNA District 9 had the honor of hosting Dr. Stephan Andrew Riddle, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, Senior Director of Nursing Professional Development at MedStar Health System, for the annual fall meeting on November 18, 2024. The presentation, titled “Artificial Intelligence…
MNA District 9’s Annual Spring Dinner: A Resounding Success
On the evening of June 3rd, MNA District 9 held its highly anticipated annual Spring Dinner at Prime Street Grill in White Plains, Maryland. The event was marked with a culinary experience, with attendees savoring a choice of crab cake,…
MNA District Highlights | March 2026
District 7 Highlights of 2025 (Last Quarter): District 7 held a meeting on November 18th and has the next meeting scheduled for January 13th. At the fall meeting (November 18th), a dinner meeting at Buontempos Brothers in Bel Air, MD,…
MNA Editorial | September 2024
Dear readers, I am extremely excited to be embarking on this very important role and wish to express my gratitude to the leadership of the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) for selecting me as the Editor-in-Chief of this journal. It is…
MNA Editorial | This is Not Part of the Job: Mitigating Healthcare Workplace Violence
Jihane Frangieh, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, CNE How many times have you heard about a workplace violence incident, whether verbal or physical against nurses that went unreported or unrecognized? How often have you heard someone say, “This is just part…
MNA in Times of Trouble and Triumph
Nayna C. Philipsen, BSN, MSN, JD, PhD, RN, FACCE Because of the nature of healthcare work, history for thousands of years, starting with the Hippocratic oath, includes the search for an ethical code above societal influences and trends to guide…
MNA Member Spotlight Yvette Conyers
Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS, CNE, FADLN, CWCN-AP, Associate Dean of Strategic Impact and Engagement at the University of Maryland School of Nursing Q: Congratulations on your recent induction into the National Academies of Practice. You’ve said…
MNA News
District 7 members at the Aberdeen Earth Day Celebration (left to right) D7 Member Alicia Waters; D7 President Sonia Galvan; D7 Director Sandy Ruffell; D7 Chairperson, Committee on Nominations Bijoy Mah-anti; D7 Treasurer & President, Nursing Foundation of Maryland Sadie Parker;…
MNA President’s Message | December 2024
Dear Maryland Nurses Association Members, Lou J. Bartolo, DNP, MSN, RNAs we reach the close of 2024, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the incredible achievements of our nurses and express my deep gratitude for the contributions…
MNA President’s Message | June 2025
It has been a pleasure to engage with many of you at events throughout our beautiful state of Maryland this past quarter. These interactions have been invaluable in strengthening our professional community and providing me with deeper insights into the…
MNA President’s Message | March 2025
Dear Maryland Nurses Association Members, Lou J. Bartolo, DNP, MSN, RN As we embrace the start of 2025, I am filled with profound optimism about our organization’s trajectory and the opportunities that lie ahead. First and foremost, I am delighted…
MNA President’s Message | September 2025
Lou J. Bartolo, DNP, MSN, RN Dear Fellow Maryland Nurses, Excitement is in the air as registration remains open for our upcoming 122nd Annual Convention, scheduled for October 16-17, 2025, in Bethesda, MD. This year’s theme, “Empowering Nurses: Elevating Health,”…
MNA President’s Message: 2026
Nayna C. Philipsen, BSN, MSN, JD, PhD, RN, FACCE Welcome to 2026 from your new President Nayna Philipsen; President@MarylandRN.org In the Words of a Patient: “I have never encountered a group of people who are more competent, more full of…
Moving Forward, Together
A message from MNA Executive Director Barb Biedrzycki, MSN, PhD, RN, CRNP, MNAExecutive Director, MNAInfo@MarylandRN.org As we move forward into a new quarter, I am continually inspired by the strength of our membership and the dedication of the nurses who…
Navigating Isolation: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Healthcare Engagement Among Smith Island, Maryland Residents
Background Somerset County is the southernmost county in Maryland, situated between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean (Somerset County, 2024). Nearly one-third of county residents are impoverished, more than any other county in Maryland (NIMHHP, 2024). Residents face food…
NCLEX Time to Test Maryland Schools of Nursing Comparison
Abstract Background: Reduced time to test has been associated with improved first-time pass rates for the NCLEX-RN among nursing graduates. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between time from graduation to NCLEX-RN testing and first-time pass…
Nurse Case Study: Failure to monitor high fall risk patient; failure to educate family on fall prevention
Nurse Medical Malpractice Case Study with Risk Management Strategies Presented by NSO and CNA This is sponsored content and is supplied by Nurses Service Organization. The content has been reviewed by our HCM internal editorial staff but is not peer-reviewed.…
Nurse Well-being & Moral Resilience
TALKING WITH THE EXPERT: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. CYNDA RUSHTON Jihane Frangieh: How do you define moral resilience, and how can it help nurses navigate ethical dilemmas and workplace stress? Cynda Rushton: In our work we define moral resilience as…
Nurses Belong in Every Room Where Decisions Are Made
2025 Healing Politics Campaign School for Nurses & Midwives When I stepped into the Healing Politics Campaign School, I didn’t just enter a room, I stepped into my purpose. From day one, we were immersed in the fundamentals of campaign…
Nurses Unite: Membership Drive Success at Hospital Benefit Fair
MNA News Uduak Briggs, Premkala Karki Chhetri, Dori Miesse, Roselle Casas Sinai Hospital of Baltimore was the site of an employee benefit fair in which members from Baltimore City, Baltimore, Howard, and Carroll Counties (District 2) of the MNA participated.…
Nursing student perspectives regarding a Winterim practicum experience versus a traditional senior practicum
Introduction The senior practicum is a critical training experience for nursing students, but hospital nursing shortages impact the availability of placements. We piloted an innovative, accelerated practicum for students during the winter intercession. To explore students’ experiences, we developed an…
President’s Message | MNA | Dec. 2025
Lou J. Bartolo, DNP, MSN, RN Dear Maryland Nurses Association Members and Colleagues, As I conclude my two-year term as President of the Maryland Nurses Association, I am filled with profound gratitude for the honor of serving this distinguished organization…
Priortizing Wellness: The Power of Self-Care, Connection, and Belonging in Nursing
Jihane Frangieh, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, CNEIn the demanding field of nursing, our commitment to caring for others often leaves little room to care for ourselves. However, when we neglect our own well-being, it not only impacts our personal health…
Promoting Nurse Retention Efforts Through A Statewide Partnership
Background Recruiting and retaining qualified staff is a priority issue in healthcare. Maryland hospitals are facing critical staffing shortages, with one in every four nurse positions vacant (Maryland Hospital Association [MHA], 2022). At the same time, the demand for registered…
Promoting Nursing Student Well-being: Integrating Self-Care Strategies into Maternity Course Assignments
Stress may be considered commonplace in the landscape of our lives today, still we cannot simply accept this as the norm when it is known that stress negatively impacts one’s health and wellness and can also harm those we care…
Rooted in Community, Rising to the Call: Empowering Nurses to Transform Rural Health in Maryland
Jihane Frangieh, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, CNE When I think about the health of Maryland’s communities, I find myself drawn not to the well-resourced corridors of urban medical centers but to the Eastern Shore farmlands, the Appalachian hollows of Western…
Summary of the 2026 ANA Professional Policy Committee Dialogue Forums
Dinah Price MNA Representative to the ANA Membership Assembly The 2026 ANA Professional Policy Committee presented three dialogue forums addressing emerging priorities for the nursing profession: workplace civility, environmental sustainability, and cannabis nursing competencies. Dialogue Forum #1 focused on establishing…
Talking with the Expert: An interview with Holly Carpenter, BSN, RN from Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation initiative
JF: Could you share a bit about your role as a senior health policy advisor and your involvement with Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation®? HC: Sure, I have been with ANA since 2007. As a senior policy advisor, I do fulfill many…
The Best Days Are Ahead
A message from MNA Executive Director Barb Biedrzycki, MSN, PhD, RN, CRNP, MNAExecutive Director, MNAInfo@MarylandRN.org As we move into the summer months, I find myself reflecting on what it means for a professional community to grow, evolve, and thrive. Nursing…
The Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians (MAAPC): Championing Nursing Education Now and for the Future
The Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians (MAAPC) is proud to announce the establishment of The Future Nightingales Endowed Scholarship in support of full-time first- or second-year associate degree nursing (ADN) students enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM)…
The Maryland Nurses Association 122nd Annual Convention
Empowering Nurses: Elevating Healthcare Bethesda Marriott, Oct 16 & 17, 2025 Registration is open Convention Registration Call for Exhibitors, Sponsors & Contributors Exhibitor Application Sponsor/Contributor Application Call for abstracts Abstract Submission Form Submissions should provide data promoting forward-thinking nursing and…
The Power of Nurses at the ANA Membership Assembly
Four elected MNA representatives, President Dr. Nayna Philipsen, Immediate Past President Dr. Lou Bartolo, Past President Dr. Charlotte Wood, and Dr. Dinah Price, made Maryland proud at the ANA Membership Assembly, bringing our state’s voice directly into ANA’s highest decision‑making…
The Power of One Voice
On June 27, 2024, nurses from across the United States convened in the nation’s capital to attend the American Nurses Association (ANA) Hill Day. As one of the largest displays of advocacy, ANA Hill Day combines the power of individual…
The Value of Academic-Practice Partnerships
Jihane Frangieh, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, CNE What if the true strength of nursing lies in the seamless exchange between theory and practice? As an educator and program director, I have seen how academic–practice partnership makes this exchange possible. An…
Unlock Your Inner Author: 7 Tips for Getting Published
Education is a core nursing value, and one effective way to educate clinicians and patients is by writing for publication. Nurses often view writing as a daunting task; after all, we’re more accustomed to completing checklists or jotting brief notes…
What Nurses Need to Know About Metadata, Documentation, and Legal Liability
This content is sponsored and supplied to American Nurse Journal by Nurses Service Organization. Content has been reviewed by ANJ editorial staff but is not peer-reviewed. What nurses need to know about metadata, documentation, and legal liability Metadata analysis of…
When Nurses Gather, the Profession Grows
Jihane Frangieh, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, CNE I write this having just returned from a nursing conference, and the energy of that room is still with me. More than one thousand nurses gathered in a single space, and for three…