News Journal Archives

2024-2025 Inaugural Mary Eliza Mahoney Mentoring Program

IN FALL 2024, the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing (UNMC CON) implemented the Mary Eliza Mahoney Mentoring Program (MEMMP). The MEMMP addresses the immediate and ongoing recruitment and retention needs of prelicensure nursing students from underrepresented and…

2025 Nurses Week Proclamation

Whereas, nurses in Nebraska constitute our state’s largest health care profession; and Whereas, the more than 36,000 registered nurses, advanced practice nurses and licensed practical nurses in Nebraska are not only the cornerstone of patient care, but are also at…

A Message from the New Executive Director, December 2025

Megan Lowery MSN-Ed, RN It is with great excitement and deep gratitude that I step into the role of Executive Director for the Nebraska Nurses Association. Serving the nursing profession and our great state in this capacity is truly an…

Advocacy for Social Issues

NURSES, as members of the American Nurses Association (ANA), have a professional and ethical obligation to advocate for social issues that impact public health, even when these issues are politically polarizing. Here’s why: Nursing Ethics The ANA Code of Ethics…

Delegating vs. assigning: What you need to know

REGISTERED NURSES (RNS) often delegate to other RNs, licensed practical nurses/vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs), and assistive personnel (AP). (In some states or jurisdictions, LPN/LVNs may be allowed to delegate, so “licensed nurses” will be used in this article.) Delegating appropriately protects…

Delegation — Nebraska Style

Actual delegation can be complicated but may provide the nurse with a welcome relief when patient care responsibilities are mounting. This article will attempt to provide guidance with regard to how delegation can be accomplished safely.  We will begin with…

Do Not Pass Over the Educators Newsletter

MARY’S CURRENT ROLE since 2022 is a Clinical Practice Coordinator for Common Spirit Health. Mary’s office is located in Kearney, Nebraska at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital. Mary has been a registered nurse for 36 years, she has worked as…

Do’s and don’ts of defensive documentation

DOCUMENTING CARE is a basic nursing responsibility, but it’s one that nurses often struggle with because of time constraints and challenges associated with electronic health records (EHRs), such as poor user interfaces that leave nurses unclear as to where to…

Empowering Nurses Through Nonprofit Board Leadership

Holly Sak serves as Assistant Professor of Undergraduate Nursing at Creighton University. Dr. Sak serves as a non-profit consultant, with experience in 501(c)3 leadership and capacity building. Have you considered joining a nonprofit board? Nurses possess an exceptional capacity for…

Enhancing Patient Advocacy and Care through Medicare Fluency

In the rapidly shifting healthcare landscape, nurses stand at the forefront, not just as caregivers but as vital advocates for patient welfare. For Nebraska nurses, proficiency in Medicare can significantly amplify their ability to serve and support the diverse needs…

From the NNA Executive Director

Congratulations to our newly elected officers and committee members. We are grateful to have you representing Nebraska nurses and look forward to your contributions to the Nebraska Nurses Association. Vice President Lynne Buchanan Secretary Jenna Hohenfeldt LARC 1 Tina Pate…
The Celebrate Nursing Breakfast was held on April 26 at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo with 22 honorees and 69 attendees.

FROM THE NNA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kim Houtwed, MBA, BSN, RN Springtime is more than just a change in seasons—it is a powerful symbol of renewal, hope, and growth. After the stillness of winter, spring arrives with a quiet, persistent energy that stirs both nature and…

From the NNA Executive Director, February 2025

CONGRATULATIONS to our newly elected officers and committee members. We are grateful to have you representing Nebraska Nurses and look forward to your contributions to the Nebraska Nurses Association. President Elect Blake Smith Treasurer Molly Herzberg LARC Region 1 Barbara…

From the NNA Executive Director, June 2024

Congratulations Nebraska Nurses! NNA is proud to sponsor nursing recognition events across the state to honor nurses in their varying roles and the positive impacts they have on patients, families, and peers. for 22 consecutive years, the American public has…

From the NNA Executive Director, May 2025

NURSES DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE On February 20, 2025, 30 nurses braved the -15 weather to meet at the Nebraska State Capitol to overview the legislative process and discuss the priority bills and positions of NNA in preparation to meet…

From the NNA Executive Director, September 2024

Connect Beyond the Virtual Screen CONSIDER THE VALUE OF ATTENDING THE NNA IN-PERSON CONVENTION & MEMBERSHIP MEETING OCTOBER 3 & 4 IN TODAY’S DIGITALLY connected world, where virtual meetings and online events have become the norm, the allure of attending…

FROM THE NNA PRESIDENT 

Greetings to all Nebraska Nurses!  Membership Assembly-Washington, D.C.-June 26-28, 2025 Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTNA As I write this article, we are preparing to attend Membership Assembly (MA). I will be accompanied by President Elect Blake Smith, Omaha and…

From the NNA President, December 2024

GREETINGS TO ALL NEBRASKA NURSES! Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTNANebraska Nurses Association Convention On October 3 and 4, our annual convention was held in Kearney at the beautiful Younes-North Conference Center. I will share some of the highlights here.…

From the NNA President, December 2025

Blake K. Smith, MSN, RN, FADLN, FAAN Dear NNA Members, As I write to you for the first time as President of the Nebraska Nurses Association, I am humbled by the responsibility and excited for the journey ahead. Simon Sinek…

From the NNA President, February 2025

Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTNA Greetings to all Nebraska Nurses! Exciting new branding for the American Nurses Association (ANA) After extensive feedback from constituents and with guidance from experts, the ANA unveiled a new branding initiative in November. Previously,…

From the NNA President, June 2024

GREETINGS TO ALL NEBRASKA NURSES! Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTNA BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP. As I worked on a presentation that I will be giving during Nurses Week, I was once again amazed at all of the resources that membership…

From the NNA President, May 2025

Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTNATHE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE (LARC) works tirelessly to advocate for Nebraska nurses and patients. Meeting weekly, LARC reviews bills and determines NNA’s response based on a member-approved Legislative Platform. The Four Pillars—Support Registered Nurses,…

From the NNA President, September 2024

GREETINGS TO ALL NEBRASKA NURSES! Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTNA AS I WRITE THIS ARTICLE, we are preparing to attend the American Nurses Association Membership Assembly in Washington, D.C. June 27-29. Jocelyn Ramos, Membership Representative for NNA, and I…

Honoring Patricia Lopez MSN, RN

LONG TIME NNA MEMBER Patricia “Pat” Lopez passed away on March 2 at her home in Lincoln after a short illness. Pat was honored by the NNA as Nurse of the Year in 2021 for her work as Director at…

Keeping nurses safe

When you think of safety in the workplace, what comes to mind? Protection? Security? Well-being? All nurses and healthcare professionals deserve to feel safe in their work environment. Yet, many nurses face violence at work—in one study, on average, more…
Sue Schuelke, PhD, RN

Lifelong Learning, Leadership, and the Power of Nursing 

A Conversation with Sue Schuelke, PhD, RN Sue Schuelke, PhD, RN Terry: Welcome back to another installment of our ongoing series where we spotlight leaders and rising voices within the Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA). Today, I’m joined by a longtime…

NE Nurses Day at the Legislature

The Nebraska Nurses Association will be hosting their 2026 NE Nurses Day at the Legislature as a live, in-person event on February 19 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Lincoln, NE. Join nurses and nursing students from across Nebraska…

Nebraska Nurses Association President’s Message

NURSING: ART, SCIENCE, OR BOTH? Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTNARegardless of when you became a registered nurse, you were probably taught that nursing is an art and a science. I actually had a t-shirt from Bryan School of Nursing…

Nebraska School Nurses Association Update

THE NEBRASKA SCHOOL NURSES ASSOCIATION, the official affiliate of the National Association of School Nurses, in collaboration with the Central Nebraska School Nurses Association, is in the process of planning the annual School Health Conference that will take place June…

Nebraska School Nurses Association Update

The Nebraska School Nurses Association (NSNA), the official affiliate of the National Association of School Nurses, is in the process of planning the NSNA School Health Conference that will take place June 2 and 3, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. This conference…

NNA Committee Updates – September 2024

NNA Panhandle MIG Update EMMA JOHNSON was the “Student Nurse of the Year” UNMC CON- Scottsbluff division program. Congrats Emma! The Panhandle MIG collaborated with Regional West Medical Center (RWMC), UNMC- alumni, Panhandle Public Health District, NNA, and the Nebraska…

NNA Region reports, June 2024

Region 4 MIG hosts the Omaha Area Student Nurses Association Collaborative Event ON SATURDAY, March 23rd, 2024, the NNA Region 4 MIG hosted the Omaha Area Student Nurses Association Collaborative Event at Nebraska Methodist College. This event has occurred annually…

NNF 2025 Project Grants – Applicants Needed!

THE NNF is once again accepting applications for project grants. The grants are designed to provide funding to NNA members for evidence-based practice, quality improvement or innovation projects conducted within clinical nursing or education settings. As facilities continue to emerge…

NNF Board Member Changes

HEADING INTO 2024, THE NNF BOARD ANNOUNCES SEVERAL CHANGES. Our thanks and appreciation to Heather Jensen, a nurse member, who completed her term at the end of 2023. She remains involved with the Nebraska Nurses Association in other roles and…

NNF Board Members Needed

The Nebraska Nurses Foundation (NNF) is actively seeking nominations for new members to serve a 2-year term from January 2025 – December 2026.  Both Community members and active Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA) members are welcome to apply. Community Member –…

Nurse Advocacy Through Media Communications

THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, the media has shared images of nurses donning trash bags as protective clothing when supplies ran out and bearing facial marks from long hours wearing masks and respirators. This public health crisis provided an opportunity for…

Omaha Metro Area Mutual Interest Group

THE NNA METRO OMAHA METRO AREA MUTUAL INTEREST GROUP (MIG) had a very successful 2023. The MIG hosted several events in NNA Region 4, inviting all nurses in the area to join other nurses for a bit of networking, a…

Questions you should ask before volunteering

VOLUNTEERING IS A great way for nursing professionals, including registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice nurses (APRNs), to get involved in their communities and to support causes that are important to them. However, there are some operational and legal considerations…

Social Media in Healthcare: Opportunities and Obstacles

The increasing prevalence of social media in healthcare has significantly changed how individuals acquire and understand health-related information. Unfortunately it also becomes a frequent source of misinformation. Within this rapidly evolving digital landscape, our comprehension of health literacy often struggles…