Resiliency and New Experiences Highlight the GAPNA Spirit
by Sherry Greenberg, PhD, RN, GNP-BC, FGSA, FAANP, FAAN
Hello GAPNA members! I am honored and thrilled to serve as GAPNA’s 40th President.
I hope you and your families are safe and well as we continue to navigate challenging times.
Thank you again to everyone who attended GAPNA’s first virtual conference. What a success with over 500 attendees!
Thanks to all the committees, special interest groups (SIGs), and chapters.
Special thanks to the National Office staff and the Digitell technology team. We greatly appreciate your dedication!
Highlights of the conference included the Dementia Care Specialist Clinical Skills Training and Gerontological Specialist Certification Exam Review pre-conferences, engaging sessions, leaderboard challenge, forum, social wall, industry-supported programs, exhibitor experience, and, of course, happy hour.
Thank you for the many excellent presentations, pre-recorded and live, related to clinical practice, novel research agendas, unique educational strategies, and policy updates and initiatives focused on the care of older adults and advanced practice gerontological nursing.
Throughout the conference, we all benefited from the engaging sessions. Many of you commented that you felt more comfortable talking via the chat features than in person and enjoyed seeing folks during the happy hour time slots.
The social hall was filled with fun pictures of GAPNA members with friends at past conferences, family and pets at home, and doing activities such as creating indulgent meals.
So, while we all would like to return to normalcy with face-to-face conferences in the future, we demonstrate resilience, make the best of the situation, and find the bright side in new experiences.
If you attended all or part of the Dementia Care Specialist Clinical Skills Training for advanced practice providers, remember to log in and complete any needed session content and evaluation forms and the online modules available in the GAPNA Online Library to receive your Document of Completion.
If you attended the Gerontological Specialist Certification Exam Review Workshop, jump in and register for GNCC’s Gerontological Specialist Certification Exam.
Missed something from the virtual conference? Want to see more? Need more continuing education credits? Conference sessions were recorded and are available in the GAPNA Online Library. Continuing education credit will be available through December 31, 2020.
Please stay engaged! Each committee and SIG has a designated Board liaison, so please reach out as needed all year long! Participate in your regional GAPNA Chapter. The GAPNA Exchange is a good way to connect with others, share committee and SIG agendas and minutes, and discuss relevant issues and share updates in evidence-based practice.
What is next?
The virtual Pharmacology Conference March 4-6, 2021. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
I wish you all health and wellness. Take time for yourself and self-care!
Sherry Greenberg, PhD, RN, GNP-BC, FGSA, FAANP, FAAN
President
sherry@familygreenberg.com