Greetings from Region 6 Chapter Advisor (CAT)

Hi to all AACN Region 6 Chapters!  It is a great honor for me to be able to serve as the CAT for Region 6 for the next 2 years.  I have worked closely with many of you as part of the Region 6 Conference Planning Committee and have been inspired by the time, energy and commitment each chapter has contributed to the ongoing success of this annual event.  I look forward to working with each chapter in this new role and hope to be able to provide support, encouragement and information as needed. 

First a little about myself.  I graduated from Univ of Maryland School of Nursing in the middle of the last century!  Yes, I have been nursing for 46 years and would do it all again if given the opportunity.  I love being a Nurse.  I have held a wide variety of roles from staff RN to educator to manager.  I actually retired in 2018 but have now returned to work part time in PACU, where I use my critical care skill base every minute of every day. I have been actively involved with AACN throughout my career and know this organization is dedicated 100% to the critical care nursing community.  I live in SE Georgia in a very small town just west of Savannah, where my husband and I raise beef cattle, chickens and cut/bale hay we sell.  I sweat a lot!!

As we continue this journey through the Covid Pandemic, please remember that AACN exists to meet the needs of the critical care nursing community.   What chapter meetings may look like in the future is currently unknown, but what we do know is that we need each other now more than ever!  There are lots of innovative ways to come together. Some ideas are to hold a virtual meeting utilizing the Webinar series in the Education room, then hold a "Watch and Discuss" party.  Consider virtual meetings to get together, support each other and be an "away from work" time to unwind with chapter members. If your chapter is concerned about holding chapter events remember it is OK not to have education all the time.  Chapters exist to meet the needs of the local nurses.  Perhaps right now the need is for moral support.  AACN Peer Support Community is a great place to start.  Please let me know if I can help with any of these ideas. If you do decide to hold a physical meeting, be sure to refer to your individual state and CDC guidelines for limitations on group gatherings and as always encourage social distancing and masks at your events.

I am looking forward to getting to know each of your chapter officers and members in this new role, and along with our “Home Office” I want to be available to assist you in any way I can.

Jean Humphreys RN, MSN                                     

Region 6 Chapter Advisor (CAT)

912-657-2937

Region6@gmail.com