PURPOSE
The purpose of the Nursing of Children Network shall be to provide a forum for all pediatric nurses to share ideas related to the nursing care of children and their families. The support and networking opportunities of the group are integral to the group and its members.

MISSION
The Nursing of Children Network believes that the specialty of pediatric nursing should set forth the highest standards of nursing practice of optimum care to children and their families The mission of the Nursing of Children Network, in congruence with the national organization, is to promote excellence in nursing care of children and their families through support of its members’ clinical practice, education, research, and advocacy.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this organization shall be:

A. To enhance personal and professional growth through networking and education programs on a regional level.

B. To disseminate information regarding advances in pediatric nursing.

C. To promote an awareness of, and support for the health care rights of consumers.

D. To promote communications within the organization, and with other professional organizations with a focus on the health and welfare of children.

E. To encourage individual members to participate in the continued growth and development of the organization.

President’s Letter
Fall 2009
Linda Youngstrom, PhD., R.N.

Thank you for visiting the Nursing of Children Network, (NCN) web site.  What could be added to the web site that you would find helpful?  Will you be reading the quarterly NCN Newsletter online? Would you join a Pediatric List-Serve? These and other questions are being considered by your NCN Communication Committee.

The 2009-2010 NCN Board members’ names and email addresses are posted on the web site under the Members Tab on the tool bar.  Please contact the appropriate committee chairman with your comments and concerns.

The Sixth Annual Regional Pediatric Nursing Conference, “Embracing the Challenge” is the next NCN sponsored educational event on October 12, 2009 at the Hyatt at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, PA. Diann Ustall, nurse ethicist and educator, will be the keynote speaker. There is still time to register at the discount rate of $150 for a total of 7.0 contact hours. To nourish your body, there will be a continental breakfast, a sit down lunch, snack break, and wine & cheeses reception.  (This is reminiscent of pre-recession days!)   You will have lots of energy to do networking and visit the exhibits!

The Regional Conference has invited 25 speakers representing 11 organizations in the greater Delaware Valley region.  You select your interest from the 5 tracks including 2 clinical, trauma, community/ambulatory, and professional development.  There are designated trauma and pharmacology education hours. Forty posters will be presented at the two poster sessions.

Bring a book to donate to the Reach Out and Read program of Greater Philadelphia.  The Board of the Nursing of Children Network has selected the Reach Out and Read program as this year’s conference community service project. NCN will be collecting new and gently used children’s books for children 6 months to 12 years old. You can drop your book donation off at the registration table or NCN table.

As your president, I am eager to see how the 2009-2010 year will unfold with the help of our new board members.  I anticipate that NCN will be growing in new ways to meet the needs of our growing members.  We welcome any help with our standing committees of education, communication, and membership.  We extend an invitation to join us if you are not already a member. Please contact me (Youngstrom@email.chop.edu) with any questions that you may have about NCN or about how you can get more involved.