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You can shape emergency nursing in Kentucky. Review the committees below and contact the chair by December 10, 2025 to express interest. Which committee aligns with your strengths and goals?

Open committees and contacts:

• QSIP (Quality, Safety, and Injury Prevention): Lead initiatives that advance safety, quality, and prevention in emergency care. Contact: Mary Raley, mraley13@gmail.com

• Governmental Affairs: Monitor legislative issues, engage members in advocacy, and represent emergency nursing interests with policymakers. Contact: Patricia Howard, pkhoward@uky.edu

• Membership: Build strategies to recruit, retain, and recognize members, and demonstrate ENA value statewide. Contact: Anne Afton, anneafton@gmail.com

• Education and Conference: Coordinate a virtual spring conference, an in-person fall conference, and regular webinars. Contact: Danielle Cowan, danielle.cowancen@hotmail.com

• TNCC and ENPC: Oversee statewide course delivery, support faculty development, ensure course quality, and serve as a resource for instructors and course directors. Contact: Anna Ellis, anna.ellis1@uky.edu

• Community and Belonging: Partner with EMS and community organizations to promote CPR and AED awareness, Stop the Bleed, and injury prevention. Foster belonging, student engagement, and community partnerships. Contact: Dale Morton, dale.morton@pikevillehospital.org

• Leadership Development: Create onboarding for new council and chapter leaders, mentor emerging leaders, and develop succession planning strategies. Contact: Khay Douangdara, kdoua2@uky.edu

Expectations:

• Attend committee meetings as scheduled by the chair, at least quarterly when applicable.

• Contribute to action items between meetings as appropriate.

For general questions, contact Renee Cecil at kentuckyena@gmail.com

KY ENA is now accepting applications for the 2026 Emerging Professional Liaison!

This role is designed for early-career emergency nurses ready to lead, learn, and make an impact.

What you will do:
• Represent emerging professionals at KY ENA Board meetings (non-voting).
• Participate in projects, committees, and education initiatives.
• Serve as Alternate Delegate during ENA General Assembly.
• Support the next liaison’s transition in 2027.

Eligibility:
• Five years or less experience as an RN and in emergency nursing.
• Current ENA member in good standing.

How to apply:
• Submit a resume or CV and a one-page letter of intent describing your interest.
• Email to kentuckyena@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 25 at 11:59 PM EST.

Qualified applicants will complete an interview process using a standardized rubric. The selected liaison will serve from January 1 to December 31, 2026.

Step forward. Lead your peers. Shape the future of emergency nursing in Kentucky.

#KYEmergencyNurses #ENA #NursingLeadership #EmergingLeader #NurseEngagement

The United States is currently experiencing a shortage of nurses that is only projected to intensify. As Baby Boomers age and more nurses enter retirement, the number of potential ED patients will rise as the workforce tasked with caring for them shrinks. 

Since 1964, Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs have provided critical funding support in the following ways:

• Scholarship programs to support recruitment in underserved areas
• Loans to encourage nurses to become faculty
• Grants supporting advanced practice education

The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3593/S. 1874) would help continue these bipartisan and cost-effective programs for an additional five years. Click below and support this bill today!

ENA needs your help to tell your representatives and senators that taking action on the nursing shortage requires their attention.

Click below to contact your members of Congress today. We can only get this across the finish line with your support!

ACT NOW