2019 Nebraska Nurses Association Yearbook

NURSING 

PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER: 

WHERE DO YOU FIT? 

ANNUAL NEBRASKA NURSES ASSOCIATION & 

NEBRASKA NURSE PRACTITIONERS JOINT CONFERENCE 

OCTOBER 2-4, 2019 

YOUNES CONFERENCE CENTER | KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

NNA Mission and Core Priorities. ...................................................................... 3 

NNA Board of Directors and Committee List. ............................................................. 5 

Annual Membership Meeting Agenda. .................................................................. 9 

Standing Rules ................................................................................... 11 

Board of Directors Reports 

President’s Report. ................................................................................ 12 

Vice President’s Report. ............................................................................ 14 

Secretary’s Report. ................................................................................ 14 

Treasurer’s Report: 2018 Budget report, 2019 Budget. ..................................................... 15 

Committee Reports 

Legislative Advocacy and Representation Committee ...................................................... 21 

Nursing Professional Development Committee ........................................................... 24 

Governance, Finance, and Membership Committee. ....................................................... 26 

Slate of Candidates. ............................................................................... 28 

NNA MIG Region 4. ............................................................................... 29 

NNA MIG Region 3. ............................................................................... 30 

NNA MIG Region 2. ............................................................................... 31 

NNA MIG Region 1. ............................................................................... 31 

Other Reports 

Nebraska Nurses Foundation. ........................................................................ 32 

NNA-PAC. ...................................................................................... 34 

NNA State Director. ............................................................................... 35 

MWMSD CEO. ................................................................................... 36 

MWMSD Continuing Ed. ........................................................................... 37 

NNA Affiliate Reports 

Nebraska Nurse Practitioners (NNP). ................................................................... 38 

Map of NNA Regions .............................................................................. 40 

Printed and Published for the Nebraska Nurses Association by Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. 

517 Washington, P.O. Box 216, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, (319) 277-2414 

www.NebraskaNurses.org 

Published by: 

Arthur L. Davis 

Publishing Agency, Inc. 

NNA / NNP Joint Convention, October 2-4, 2019 | 1

2 | NURSING Putting the Pieces Together: Where Do You Fit?

NNA Mission, Vision, and Core Priorities 

Established in 1906, the Nebraska Nurses Association is a membership organization that engages in legislative 

advocacy, education, and professional development. Although NNA does not engage in individual workplace 

advocacy, NNA works holistically to support the profession of nursing. 

Mission 

Nebraska Nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all. 

Vision 

Nebraska Nurses Association will be a proactive voice for nurses and an advocate for health for all. 

Core Priorities 

C – Collaboration 

A – Advocacy 

R – Recognition 

E – Education 



NNA Board of Directors and Committee List 

Board of Directors 

President 

Douglass Haas, MSN, APRN-NP, FNP-BC, 

AGACN-BC, CCRN-CMC 

President-Elect 

Kari Wade, Ed.E, MSN, RN, CNE 

Vice President 

Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTN-A 

Secretary 

Brodi Willard, BSN, RN-BC 

Treasurer 

Cathy Smith, MSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS 

Chair, Legislative Advocacy and 

Representation Committee 

Niki Eisenmann, PhD-c, MSN, RN 

Chair, Nursing Professional Development 

Committee 

Katie Messner, MSN, APRN-NP 

Chair, Governance Finance and 

Membership Committee 

Jan Tubbs, MSN, MS, BS, RN 

NNA Staff 

State Director 

Kim Houtwed, MBA, BSN, RN 

NNA Lobbyist 

Don Wesely 

O’Hara Lindsay Government Relations 

Nursing Professional Development 

Committee (NPDC) 

Clinical Practice 

Ann Lif, MSN RN, CWOCN (1st term 2019-2020) 

Hope Johnson, BSN, RN, CRRN (1st term 2018-2019) 

Stephanie Vodicka, BSN, RN (appointed) 

Nursing Faculty 

Michelle Johnson, PhD, RN (1st term 2018-2019) 

Jacy Henk, MSN, BSN, RN (2nd term 2019-2020) 

Julie Skrabal, EdD, RN, CNE (1st term 2019-2020) 

Staff Development/Nurse Educator 

Karen Morgan, MSN, Med, BA, BSN, RN 

(2nd term 2019-2020) 

Jackie Thielen, MSN, RN, APRN-NP, ACHPN 

(2nd term 2018-2019) 

Katie Messner, MSN, APRN-NP (2nd term 2019-2020) 

Legislative Advocacy and 

Representation Committee (LARC) 

Region 1 

Jordan Colwell, DBA, RN (2nd term 2019-2020) 

Ben Garcia, BSN, RN (1st term 2018-2019) 

Region 2 

Denise Waterford, MEd, BSN, RN (1st term 2019-2020) 

Anne Kraus, MS, BSN, RNC (2nd term 2018-2019) 

Region 3 

Niki Eisenman, PhD-c MSN, RN (2nd term 2019-2020) 

Kathy Davis, RN (2nd term 2018-2019) 

Region 4 

Linda Jensen, PhD, MN, RN (2nd term 2019-2020) 

Lin Hughes, PhD, MS, BSN, RN, CNE (1st term 2018-2019) 

At-Large 

Megan Rokusek, BSN, RN (1st term 2019-2020) 

Governance, Finance, and 

Membership Committee 

Clinical Practice/Staff Nurse 

Ashton Gerken, MSN, RN (1st term 2019-2020) 

Tonja Frank, BSN, RN (1st term 2018-2019) 

Nursing Management 

Lisa Cantrell, MSN, BA, RN (1st term 2018-2019) 


Why Choose UC? 

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Learn more at online.uc.edu/nursing-program/ 

- Join Our Talented Team! 

Clinic 

Hospital 

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Margo Minnich, DNP, RN (2nd term 2019-2020) 

Rural 

Savannah Murphy, RN (1st term 2018-2019) 

Sharon Masoner, BSN, RN (1st term 2019-2020) 

Urban 

Andrea Faulkner, BSN, RN (appointed 2019) 

Jan Tubbs, MSN, MS, BS, RN (2nd term 2019-2020) 

Judi Dunn, MS, CPP, RN-BC 

Nurse Peer Review Leader 

Belinda Heimericks, MSN, RN 

Lead Nurse Planner & Associate Nurse Peer Review Leader 

Carol Walker, BSN, RN 

Nurse Planner & Nurse Peer Reviewer 

Appointed Past NNA Officer 

Anna Mackevicius, BSN, RN, PMP (1st term 2019-2020) 

Midwest Multi-State Division 


President 

Angella Herrman, BSN, RN-BC 


Jan Kemmerer, BSN, RN 

Secretary/Treasurer 

Anna Mackevicius, BSN, RN, PMP 

Staff 

Chief Executive Officer 

Jill Kliethermes, MSN, RN, FNP-BC 

Communications/Marketing 

Travis Gallup, Manager 

Finance 

Karen Harris, Director 

Events Planner Assistant 

Teri Longley 

Administrative Coordinator 

Becky Kniest 

Continuing Education Staff 

Sara Fry, BS 

Director of Professional Development 



Annual Membership Meeting Agenda 

Thursday, October 3, 2019 

Introductions 

Presentation of Agenda 

Proposed Standing Rules 

Announcements 

Board of Directors’ Reports 

• President’s Address 

• Vice President Report 

• Secretary Report 

• Treasurer’s Report 

Committee Reports 

• Legislative Advocacy and Representation Committee (LARC) 

Committee Report 

Legislative Platform 

• Nursing Professional Development Committee (NPDC) 

• Governance, Finance, and Membership Committee (GFMC) 

Committee Report 

2019 NNA Slate of Candidates 

• MIG Reports 

Other Reports 

• Nebraska Nurses Foundation 

• NNA-PAC 

• State Director 

• Multi-State Division – CEO Report 

• Multi-State Division – CE Approver Unit 

Organizational Affiliates 

• Nebraska Nurse Practitioners 

Discussion/Action Items 

• Nominations from the Floor 

• Candidate Forum - each candidate will have 3 minutes 


Secretary 

Closing Remarks 


Nancy R. Wynner Attorney at Law 

Straight talk and sound advice in 

administrative license matters including: 

• Defense Against Disciplinary Action 

• License Reinstatement 

nwynner@ozwlaw.com 

ozwlaw.com 

575 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 100 

Lincoln, Nebraska 68521 

(402) 438-2500 


Proposed Standing Rules 

Rule 1 

All NNA members and guests will be admitted to the Annual Membership Meeting. Each member will be identified 

with a name badge ribbon (NNA Member). 

Rule 2 

To speak a NNA member or guest will rise, address the chair (President), giving name, and upon recognition may 

speak. 

Rule 3 

NNA members will have two (2) minutes to speak on each topic and may not speak in debate more than twice on 

the same question or topic on the same day or longer than three (3) minutes. Guests will have one (1) minute to 

speak on each topic and may not speak more than once on the same question or topic on the same day or longer 

than one minute. 

Rule 4 

Suggested amendments to presented ballot items will be in writing and shall be sent to the Chair immediately 

following presentation of the amendment. 

Rule 5 

Business interrupted by a recess of the meeting shall be resumed at the next meeting at the point where it was 

interrupted. 

Rule 6 

Consensus on amendments to ballot items will be reached through a voice vote of members in attendance. Guests 

may not vote on consensus polls. 

Rule 7 

Additional self-nominations for NNA Board Officers, ANA Representative, and/or Committees must be received 

before 5:00pm on the day preceding the Annual Membership Meeting (Wednesday, October 3, 2018) and must 

include a Leadership Profile. 

Rule 8 

Voters unable to rise will be provided with a voting card consistent with the ADA. 

NNA Bylaws reference regarding the Standing Rules: 

Article XIV - STANDING RULES 

Standing Rules may be amended at the Annual Membership Meeting by a majority vote by those present and voting 

without previous notice. 


OFFICER REPORTS 

President’s Report 

Douglass Haas, MSN, APRN-NP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, CCRN-CMC 

As I finish my first year as President of the Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA), I reflect on our organizations continued 

progress toward advocating for all Nebraska nurses. As an organization, we have worked hard to support the 

profession, and I had four main goals to accomplish in my first year. They were as follows: 

1. Leadership will host a membership recruitment activity in all four NNA regions once a year. 

2. With the guidance of the NNA President, all four NNA regions will select a membership champion to 

collaborate with the NNA president to facilitate regional activities. 

3. The NNA will focus on strengthening the relationship with the Nebraska Student Nurses Association by 

offering mentoring services and access to NNA speakers for facilitation of professional education activities 

through the creation of the NNA Speakers Bureau. 

4. And the NNA will focus on a membership increase to the goal of 1200 total members by the year 2020. 

I am proud to say that we were able to accomplish three of these robust goals. The NNA was able to boost membership 

over 1200, hold recruitment activities with the President’s presence in all four NNA regions, and maintained and 

strengthened the relationship between the NNA and Nebraska Student Nurses Association (NSNA). The only goal we 

fell short on was creating a member champion in each of the four regions to facilitate activities. Over the next year, 

it is my mission to accomplish the goal. Thank you for the hard work of the Board of Directors, Committee members, 

and the Midwest Multi-State Division for your continued support on behalf of Nebraska Nurses. Finally, thank you, 

all Nebraska Registered Nurses for your continued commitment to and membership with the NNA. This organization 

exists because of each one of you. 


The NNA Board of Directors met in November for the annual face to face board retreat. It was an educational day 

to align the goals and priorities for the upcoming year. The rest of the 2019 meetings were held virtually on an asneeded 

basis based on agenda requests. Each meeting was productive, constructive, and a quorum was established 

for every meeting. 

Committees 

Legislative, Advocacy, and Representation Committee 

The LARC committee worked hard to review each of the 2019 legislative bills to provide the NNA membership 

an outline of essential advocacy needs. The committee was able to review and report back on many significant 

legislative bills and provide strong testimony in support and opposition of crucial bills. Thank you to committee chair 

Niki Eisenmann and the rest of the committee for all the hard work. And a special thank you to Don Wesley for his 

mentorship and continued support of the association. 

Nursing Professional Development Committee 

NPDC was very busy this year with reviewing event proposals, scholarship applications, award nominations, and hall 

of fame inductees. This year the committee also worked to create a grading rubric for a new scholarship provided to 

members and are now involved with article reviews submitted to the Nebraska Nurse. The committee reviewed and 

approved approximately ten event proposals over the year submitted by our Mutual Interest Groups. Thank you to 

committee chair Katie Messner and the rest of the committee for their continued dedication and hard work. 



Governance, Finance, and Membership Committee 

The GFMC has created an outstanding slate of candidates for this year’s annual ballot. They have also kept close 

communication with our Vice President, Linda Hardy, and our NNA Treasurer, Cathy Smith. The work completed held 

NNA as well as our MIGS on track with membership and financial goals. Thank you to committee chair Jan Tubbs and 

all committee members for their continued work for the organization. 

Mutual Interest Groups 

The MIGs have been busy this year hosting events both for education and recruitment to the organization. I hope 

that over the next few years, groups from each region will continue to hold events. We saw many returning events 

like the Fun Run/Walk help in Omaha, Positive Imagine of Nursing Breakfast in Omaha, and the Celebrate Nursing 

Poster Presentation in Lincoln. Nurses Week also brought forth many small events throughout the state to celebrate 

the nursing profession. I was very excited to be invited out to Scottsbluff to speak with our Region 1 Nurses at 

Regional West Medical Center. To increase the excellent relationship with the Nebraska Student Nurse Association, 

Omaha hosted a collaborative event with all the nursing schools in the Omaha area. 

As we look ahead to the next year in the organization, I am confident that we can continue to improve the organization 

and continue advocating for all Nebraska Nurses. I look forward to my final year as President of the NNA and aim 

to work hard for all nurses and continue to move the organization forward with the help of the fantastic committee 

and organization members. Thank you again for all of your continued support. 



NNA Vice President Report 

Linda Hardy, PhD, RN, CNE, CTN-A 

It has been my honor to work with my nursing colleagues this past year. One of the important duties of the VP is to 

support the work of the Mutual Interest Groups (MIGs). Per our by-laws, the VP is a non-voting member of the MIG 

Oversight Committee. In that role, I convened a meeting of the 4 current MIGs in January, 2019. The MIGs are as 

follows: Omaha Metro-Anna Mackevicius-Chair; Lincoln Area-Jodi Nelson, Chair; TriCity-Denise Waibel-Rycek-Chair; 

Region 1-Scottsbluff-Wendy Wells-Chair. Jodi Nelson was elected to serve as the Chair of the Oversight Committee. 

The Oversight Committee’s role is to serve as a communication and support connection between the NNA Board of 

Directors and approved MIGS. This includes review of the MIGs Memorandum of Agreement, assist with and review 

the development of any new MIGs, and annually review all MIG applications including making a recommendation to 

the BOD of NNA regarding approval. I strongly commend this group for their work on this committee. Please read 

the report from each MIG to see what your nursing colleagues have accomplished this past year! 

I am pleased to report the formation of a new Gerontology MIG which was provisionally approved by the Board. 

Kerri Kriefels has facilitated this new MIG and will serve as the Chair with Mindy Greenrod serving as Recorder. Per 

by-laws, each MIG must have at least 3 NNA members; that goal was just reached at the time of this writing. We 

invite any interested NNA members to join this MIG! (Contact lindakhardyrn@gmail.com and I will put you in touch 

with Kerri.) 

Secretary Report 

Brodi Willard, BSN, RN-BC 

As the NNA Secretary, it is my duty to take accurate and precise minutes for all the meetings. It is important that the 

minutes maintain an exact record of what has occurred and what the board has voted on to change because it affects 

all NNA members. It is also important that the minutes document all the communication that has occurred between 

members at the meeting so that there are no misconceptions. I would like to thank my fellow NNA members for 

voting me onto such an amazing board. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for such an amazing year. I have 

truly enjoyed learning about the inner workings of the NNA. It is so wonderful to be a part of an organization that 

cares so much for its members. I especially enjoyed learning about the upcoming bills and how they really impacted 

nurses. It motivated me to talk about these important issues with my coworkers so they would understand what was 

going on as well. I always looked forward to our meetings because all the board members were so supportive with 

every topic we discussed. I am excited to see what the upcoming year has to offer. 



Treasurer 












COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Legislative Advocacy and Representation Committee 

Annual Report to the Board of Directors for the Legislative Action 

and Representation Committee, 2019 

Thank you to all the 2019 LARC Members: 

Niki Eisenmann – Chair 

Anne Kraus 

Denise Waterfield – Co-Chair Kathy Duncan 

Ben Garcia 

Kathy Davis 

Linda Jensen 

Jordan Colwell 

Linda Hughes 

Megan Rokusek 

Niki Eisenmann, PhD, RN, Chair 

Especially thanks to Rita Weber for her work with the committee. 

The Nebraska Nurses Legislative Action and Representation committee was supported and advised by our lobbyist 

Don Wesley and Lindsey O’Hara Government Relations. 

The following bills were the priority bills the Legislative Action and Representation worked on during 

the 2019 Nebraska legislative session: 

LB29 

Kolterman 

LB149 

Quick 

LB631 

Morfeld 

LB634 

Hilkeman 

LB709 

Cavanaugh 

LB730 

Walz 

Support 

Testimony offered 

2/6/19 

Support 

Letter of support 

offered for hearing 

3/4/19 

Support 

Hearing 2/22/19 

Support 



3/4/19 

Support 



3/15/19 

Support 

Testimony provided at 

hearing 2/6/19 

Provide and eliminate telehealth 

provisions to allow all providers to use 

telehealth. 

Change provisions relating to vapor 

products, increase age to 21 for purchase 

of vapor products 

Medicaid Implementation Task Force, 

will establish a task force to facilitate 

the Medicaid Expansion implementation 

process and report annually to Legislature 

Requires all new school vehicles to have 

three-point safety belts for all occupants. 

School boards can opt out for financial 

reasons. 

Establish private room to express breast 

milk in State Capitol 

APRN consensus language for APRN 

compact to change, transfer, and eliminate 

provisions relating to advanced practice 

registered nurses. Creates consensus 

language for APRN Practice Acts. 

Signed by Governor 


Held in Committee 

(Executive) 

Held in committee 

(Transportation) 


(Gov’t Military & 

Veterans Affairs) 


(HHS) 



LB140 

Kolterman 

Support 

Letter offered for 


INDOOR TANNING FACILITY ACT: would 

amend the act by prohibiting any person 

under 18 years of age from using a 

tanning facility. 


(HHS) 

LB554 

Wishart 

Kolterman 

Support 

Testimony offered in 

support at hearing 

3/22/19 

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ACT: Change 

provisions relating to prescription drugs 

not on the preferred drug list under the 

Medical Assistance Act. 


(HHS) 

LB205 

Kolterman 

Oppose 

Testimony given at 


Surgical Technologist registration act 

seeking to create a registry for surgical 

technologists. Bill puts the registry 

under Board of Medicine. Also broadens 

physician delegation authority 

General File 

****Continued work 

LB245 

Erdman 

Oppose 

Letter of opposition 


3/28/19 

Eliminate an exception to the Medicaid 

preferred drug list. Would not allow 

patients to have an exemption to a drug 

that works for their health problems if 

they are on Medicaid. 


(HHS) 

LB378 

Hanson 

Oppose 

Offered letter of 

opposition for hearing 

The helmet law. Repeal helmet provisions 

for autocycles, motorcycles, and mopeds. 

General file 

The following bills were bills the Legislative Action and Representation monitored during the 2019 

Nebraska Unicameral legislative session: 

LB25 

Kolterman 

LB43 

Bolz 

LB74 

Williams 

Kolterman 

LB167 

Hunt 

LB168 

Hunt 

LB181 

Bolz 

LB247 

Bolz 

LB365 

Crawford 

LB423 

Howard 

Hearing: 1/30/19 


















Modified to support 

Funding for NCPS: Provide for additional fees under the UCA and create 

the Patient Safety Cash Fund, adds fees for MD, OD, and PA licenses. 

Adopt the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act 

VALIDATION BY PHARMACY TECH: would authorize a certified 

pharmacy technician to confirm the accuracy and completeness of the 

acts, tasks, or functions undertaken by another certified pharmacy 

technician working within a hospital 

Prohibit conversion therapy 

Define offense of child abuse to include subjecting a child to conversion 

therapy 

Report about long term care sustainability 

Adopt the Advance Mental Health Care Directives Act. 

Establish a health care directives registry 

Change and eliminate provisions relating to school-based health centers 

under the Medical Assistance Act. School based Health Centers. 



LB442 

McCollister 

LB480 

Quick 

LB484 

Lowe 

LB489 

Howard 

LB518 

Linehan 

LB539 

Walz 

LB567 

Lindstrom 

LB569 

Morfeld 










General File 





Hearing 3/5/19 


SYNCHRONIZING PRESCRIPTIONS: would prohibit an insurer from 

denying coverage for a prescription medication that is dispensed as a 

partial supply for the purpose of synchronizing the patient’s medications 

Distribute $50,000 to each Health Department for preventive health 

services 

Change provisions relating to assault on certain employees and public 

safety officers. Condensing language in statute for assault. 

Require registration for the prescription drug monitoring system for all 

dispensers and prescribers. 

Establish the Office of Support for Trafficking survivors, advisory board 

and fund. 

Expands definition of abuse to include cases without physical impairment 

and regardless if victim reports or seeks medical care. 

PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: would clarify the 

definition of practitioner for purposes of the act. It would also require 

that the practitioner discuss the risks of a schedule II drug or other opiate 

unless such discussion has taken place within the previous 60 days 

OUT-OF-NETWORK CONSUMER PROTECTION, TRANSPARENCY, AND 

ACCOUNTABILITY ACT: would require a healthcare facility, including 

an ambulatory surgical center, to disclose to a covered person, prior 

to scheduling an appointment, whether the facility is in-network or 

out-of-network and the differences in the covered person’s financial 

responsibilities if in-network or out-of-network. It would also require that 

similar information be posted to the facility’s website. Requirements for 

contents of disclosure are specified in the bill. 

Highlights: 

Successes with signing of the Telehealth bill to include nurses and the change in vapor laws to increase 

age to sell vapor products to minors, improving the health of Nebraska teens. 

Continue to watch the Surgical Technologist bill closely; nurses would like to see the surgical tech 

to be regulated under the board of nursing. The bill has the surgical tech regulated by the board of 

medicine. A call to action was sent to nurses and NNA and LARC had an excellent response to this. 

EMT 407: 

The LARC continues to monitor closely the community paramedic and emergency paramedic bill that raises concern 

for possible unsafe patient care in the absence of collaboration and communication. Douglass attended all 407 

meetings and Terri Anderson and Douglass provided testimony on behalf of nursing in opposition. The 407 will 

have input from the Board of Health and Medical Director next. After a positive vote from the 407 committee, 

the LARC will provide oppositional testimony at the Board 

. 

of Health meeting. 

The LARC was also a part of a successful and sold out Nebraska Nurses Day at the Legislature in 

February 2019. 


Nursing Professional Development Committee (NPDC) 

Committee Members: 

Michelle Johnson (Co-Chair), Nursing Faculty 

Jacy Henk, Nursing Faculty 

Julie Skrabal, Nursing Faculty 

Ann Lif, Nursing Practice 

Stephanie Vodicka, Nursing Practice 

Hope Johnson, Nursing Practice 

Karen Morgan, Professional Educator 

Jackie Thielen, Professional Educator 


Katlyn Messner, MSN, APRN-NP 

NPDC Chair 

The mission of the NNA is to advance the profession to improve health for all. This committee has been working 

hard to prescribe to this mission. The NPDC has had the honor for the past year to review NNA event proposals 

brought forth by MIGs and review scholarship and award applications. This year, the NPDC, has also added to 

our responsibilities by reviewing any article submission for the Nebraska Nurse to improve the quality of content 

provided to NNA members. I would like to thank each member of this committee for their hard work and dedication 

to the Nebraska Nurses Association and the nursing profession. It has been a privilege to be a part of this amazing 

committee for the past year. 

Awards 

The NPDC was honored to award three NNA members with nursing excellence achievements at the 2018 NNA/NNP 

Joint Convention held in Omaha. 

The Following awards were given: 

Excellence in Direct Patient Care – Cathy Smith, MSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS 

Extraordinary Achievement in Nursing – Jodeena (Jody) Kempnich, MSN, RN, CNML 

Outstanding Nurse Educator – Lorraine (Lori) Rusch, PhD, RN 

Scholarships 

Thanks to generous donations from the Arthur L Davis Publishing Agency, Inc and the Joe A. Vance family, NPDC was 

able to award $500 scholarships to the following recipients: 

Arthur L. Davis Scholarship – Patrick Nyman, Student Nurse 

Joe A. Vance Scholarship – Patrick Nyman, Student Nurse 

The NPDC was also able to award an NNA member a $500 scholarship. The receipt of this scholarship was: 

NNA Member Scholarship – Brodi Willard, BSN, RN 

There is also an additional scholarship opportunity available to NNA members, The Gail Graham Higher Education 

Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship for nurses seeking higher education. NPDC would like to again thank the 

family of Gail Graham for their generous donations to support the education of nurses in Nebraska. 


Hall of Fame 

NPDC also had the privilege of inducting two nurses into the Hall of Fame who through their work, scholarship, 

and accomplishments have brought honor and fame to the profession of nursing and the state of Nebraska. The 

inductees were as follows: 

Brenda Bergman-Evans, PhD, APRN-NP/CNS, FAANP 

Myrtle Dean, RN 

Events (in chronological order) 


2018 

The Nebraska Nurses Association/Nebraska Nurse Practioner Joint Conference was held on October 3-5, 2018 in 

Omaha. The theme was Nebraska Nurses Charting the Future. 

2019 

Nurses Day at the Legislature- Back to the Future: Advocacy for all Nurses was held February 28th, 2019 at the 

Cornhusker Marriot in Lincoln. 

The Omaha MIG held the Omaha Metro Student Nurses’ Association Collaborative Event on March 30th, 2019 at the 

Methodist College Campus in Omaha. 

The Lincoln MIG held their annual Celebrate Nursing and Poster Presentation, Dinner, and Speaker event on April 22, 

2019 at Southeast Community College in Lincoln. 

The Omaha MIG held their annual Positive Image of Nursing Awards and Breakfast on April 27, 2019 in Omaha at the 

Scott Conference Center. This year’s featured speaker was Dr. Brenda Bergman-Evans, PhD, APRN-NP/CNS, FAANP, 

the most recent inductee into the NNA Hall of Fame and Vice President of Advanced Practice and the Continuing 

Care Network at CHI Health. 

National Nurses Week 2019, May 6-12 saw various events across the State of Nebraska from the Scottsbluff area to 

the Omaha/Lincoln areas. 

The Omaha MIG held the NNA Metro Nurses 2019 LTC Education- Nursing care of the Older Adult Population: 

Promoting Safe Mobility on June 6th and June 8th, 2019 at the Methodist College Campus. The featured speakers 

were Dr. Julie Pavelka, a certified nurse practitioner, and Sarah Cockle, a physical therapist. 

The Omaha MIG will hold their Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk on September 9, 2019 at Lake Zorinsky Recreation Area in 

Omaha. This event promotes healthy nurse activities as well as networking and membership recruiting. 

Upcoming 

The annual NNA/NNP Joint Convention: “Nursing – Putting the pieces together: Where do you fit?” will be held on 

October 2-4, 2019 in Kearney, Nebraska. 



Governance, Finance and Membership Committee 

Jan Tubbs, MS, MSN, RN 

GFMC Co-Chair 

Governance, Finance and Membership Committee Jan Tubbs, MS, MSN, RN, GFMC Co-Chair (Urban) Ashton Gerken 

MSN, RN, Co-Chair (Staff Nurse) 

Committee Members: Cathy Smith Treasurer, Tonja Frank Staff Nurse, Lisa Cantrell Nursing Management, Sharon 

Masoner Rural, Savannah Murphy Rural, Margo Minnich Nursing Faculty, Andrea Faulkner Urban, Past NNA Officer 

Anna Mackevicius, President Ex-Officio Douglass Haas 

Membership Recruitment and Retention Strategies: 

• We did increase members in Nebraska by 18.97% by adding 236 members from last year. The committee will 

continue to look for trends in the coming months. We are currently at 1244 members as of July 1, 2019. 

• All NNA members will receive an additional $150.00 off the joint convention registration, which includes all 

new members joining by September 1st. 

• Continued with recruitment and retention plan and talked about ideas of how to look at the MSD membership 

marketing plan and what activities could we perform at the NNA level. 

Discussed plans as to how to find out why persons canceled memberships and ways to encourage 

younger nurses to get involved. 

The committee will focus on recruitment of millennial and minority nurses across the state of Nebraska. 

The members will be bringing ideas forward to the board in near future. 

2019 NNA Slate of Candidates and Election Processes 

• Candidates for NNA positions were recruited, validated as eligible, and will be placed on the ballot. From 

July-September 1, 2019 we will work to fill all positions. Will send out an email for open positions and needs 

of the committees and board. Will give an update during the convention. 

• Openings on slate are as follows: 

Board needs 

– Vice President 

– Secretary 

Legislative, Advocacy, and Representation Committee (LARC) needs 

– Region 1 Member 




– At Large Member 

Nursing Professional Development Committee (NPDC) needs 

– Nursing Practice Member 

– Nursing Practice Member 

– Nursing Faculty Member 

– Nursing Professional Educator Member 

Governance, Finance, and Membership Committee (GFMC) needs 

– Staff Nurse Member 

– Nursing Manager/Administrator Member 

– Rural Member 

– Urban Member 



Bylaw Revisions and Proposals 

• Made bylaw changes this year. Will have webinars presented to allow members to hear what is being done. 

All bylaw changes will be given to members in a timely fashion, so everyone is informed. 

Finance/Budget 

• Reviewed drafted 2019 budget and gave feedback to NNA Board. 

• Reviewed the Financial Report/ Profit & Loss Budget for trends related to membership 



2019 Nebraska Nurses Association Slate of Candidates 

Terms of Office: January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021 



Secretary 

Legislative Advocacy and Representation Committee 

Region 1 

Region 2 

Region 3 

Region 4 

At-Large 

Nursing Professional Development Committee 

Nursing Practice 

Nursing Practice 


Nurse Educator/Staff Development 

Governance, Finance, and Membership Committee 

Clinical Practice/Staff Nurse 

Nursing Manager/Administrator 

Rural 

Urban 



Omaha Metro Area Mutual Interest Group Annual Report 

Anna Mackevicius, BSN, RN, PMP 

Chair, Omaha Metro Area Mutual Interest Group 

The NNA Metro Omaha Metro Area MIG had a very successful 2019. 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 lot of well-deserved recognition, and 

a bit a fun, too! This MIG has several active members and added more during the year. I would like to thank Terri 

Anderson, who served as the lead for the annual breakfast and as the MIG recorder, has decided to step down as 

recorder and event lead. Her help and guidance this past year has very much appreciated. I would also like to thank 

these individuals for their dedication to the MIG: 

Andrea Faulkner 

Beth Flott 

Jodi Kempnich 

Alice Kindschuh 

Carole Lainof 

Echo Perlman 

Kristina Soballe 

Susie Ward 

Brodi Willard 

Krista Winter 

The following is a synopsis of member engagement activities hosted this year: 

Student Leaders Recognition 

On March 30, the Omaha Metro Area MIG hosted an event to recognize a group of local student nurses who serve 

as members of the executive board for their campus Student Nurses Association as a thank you for their service to 

the profession. This event, organized by Creighton University Assistant Professor Beth Flott EdD RN, recognized 40 

future nursing leaders nominated by faculty. It was held on Saturday, March 30, at Nebraska Methodist College. 

Celebrate Nursing and Positive Image of Nursing Breakfast 

This annual event (that is quickly approaching its 40th year!) was held on Saturday, April 27, at the Scott Conference 

Center in Omaha. We had an outstanding turnout this year with 280 attendees and set a new record of honorees 

- 151! Our guest speaker was Brenda Bergman Evans, a recent inductee to the NNA Hall of Fame. NNA President 

Douglass Haas also attended and distributed certificates to each honoree. Terri Anderson spearheaded this event 

with help from Brodi Willard and lots of extra hands on the event day! 

Omaha Metro Area Nurses MIG Fun Run/Walk 

The second annual Omaha Metro Area Nurses MIG Fun Run/Walk was held on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at 

Zorinsky Park in Omaha. The event was organized by Alice Kindschuh, DNP APRN-CNS GCNS-BC, Director of Doctoral 

Studies at Nebraska Methodist College. Members and non-members participated in a fun (and healthy) activity. There 

were T-shirts and prizes – a visible event that promotes nursing and healthy living! 

Annual Dinner 

The MIG will be hosting an Annual Dinner scheduled for November 20 at Jack and Mary’s Restaurant in Omaha. Save 

the date and join us for an evening of networking and a little education! See the Events page on the NNA website 

for more information and to register. Payment is at the door. 

We are looking forward to the 2020 events – planning is well under way. Look for dates and information in the monthly 

NNA e-newsletter and Facebook page, as well as the Nebraska Nurse. Feel free to contact me at annamackevicius@ 

gmail.com if you have any questions about the Omaha Metro MIG events. 



Lincoln Area MIG Chair Report 

Jodi A. Nelson, MSN, RN 

The Lincoln Area MIG, with the support of NNA, work diligently to uphold the organization’s mission, vision, and 

core priorities of: collaboration, advocacy, recognition, and education. We held two different types of events this 

past year. 

The Celebrate Nursing event was held on April 22, 2019, and featured a military veteran, Jessica Warren, RN, MSN. 

She shared her own experience with PTSD and how she uses this experience to help students experiencing the same. 

(Jessica is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln.) The audience learned 

ways to advocate for veterans and more specifically, how to support veterans returning to employment or educational 

settings in healthcare. Prior to dinner, attendees could browse poster presentations by students from area nursing 

programs (BSN-doctorate). Between the two events, dinner was served at which networking was encouraged. We 

were thankful for a donation from Nobl, Inc., a Lincoln based healthcare software company. 

We continued holding three journal club meetings throughout the year. In 2019 we were granted the ability to grant 

nursing contact hours. A single $10 fee covers contact hours for all three meetings (1.5 hours for each). The first one 

was May 29 and the topic was migrant healthcare. Journal clubs were also held previously (November 2018 and June 

2018) but did not grant contact hours. 

Included are photos from 2019 Lincoln Area MIG Celebrate Nursing 

Speaker Jessica Warren 

(photo from military experience) 



Tri City MIG Chair Report 

Denise Waibel-Rycek, MSN, RN 

This has been a year to regain our focus. In August we had a meeting and heard Heather Kaestner APRN talk about 

her four mission trips. We then developed plans for the next year. 

Western Nebraska Region 1 MIG 

Wendy Wells, BS, BSN, MSN, RN 

Region 1 MIG met for the annual health professions picnic in August 2018. There was no 5K run as the leaders for 

this were unavailable due to pregnancy and advancing their education. 

Region 1 MIG of the NNA met in April to discuss upcoming plans at the Steel Grill and enjoyed steak nachos. 

The annual Nurses Day event featured NNA President Douglass Haas who presented twice for area nurses on the 

importance of a professional portfolio. He was well received. This event was sponsored by Regional West Medical 

Center, Region 1 MIG of NNA and the Nebraska Panhandle Area Health Education Center. 

The Region 1 5K walk/run date is set for Saturday, August 24 at 9AM at Lake Minatare. Registration forms are on 

the “NNA Run” Facebook page. Our annual Welcome/Welcome back picnic is scheduled for Thursday, September 5 

from 4-6pm, location to be announced. Local members look forward to attending the annual convention in Kearney 

in October. Questions and/or comments can be addressed to Wendy Wells wwells@unmc.edu or 308-641-7190 (call 

or text). 

Warm & Welcoming! – That’s who we are! 

We care like family… Join us! 

View our career opportunities at www.AMHNE.org 

Megan Becklun, | 402-887-4151, hr@amhne.org, 

102 W 9th St, Neligh NE 68756 | 402-887-6397 (Fax) 

If interested in learning 

about a chapter role, 

please contact: 

Denise Murcek at 

Dmurcek1@gmail.com 

ANNA Platte River Chapter #324 

Thank You Nurses 

and Welcome 

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For more information about Linden Court visit: www.lindencourt.com 


OTHER REPORTS 

Nebraska Nurses Foundation 

Teresa L. Anderson, EdD, MSN, RN, NE-BC 

NNF Board of Directors 

Teresa@tlandersonconsulting.com 

The Nebraska Nurses Foundation continues to work to address our annual goals around fundraising, marketing, and 

our project grants for NNA members. 

2019 Goals include: 

• Webpage Maintenance – updates have been made with the support of the Midwest MSD 

• Silent Auction Planning and Growth – a pilot of PayPal Here credit card processing will be conducted and 

results evaluated. More thoughtful auction prize solicitation and categorization is being pursued, along with 

the NNF participating in a “fun night” of fundraising games at the Convention. 

• Marketing Nightingale Tribute including Philanthropy – work is progressing toward a Nightingale Tribute 

marketing campaign with Nebraska funeral directors as the intended audience. The goal is to increase 

awareness of the tribute for funeral services of nurses and as an option for estate planning or memorial 

giving. 

• Celebrate A Nurse – continued with donations received 

• $1000 project grant was awarded and successfully implemented by the recipient, Shelly Burke-Rodriguez, 

for her project launching aromatherapy for staff and residents at the Columbus Care Center. Results to be 

presented at NNA Omaha Metro Nurses Annual Dinner and at NNA/NNP Convention. 

• Explore Applicable Grants to expand the reach and benefits of the NNF to support nursing and public health 

in Nebraska. Potential categories include rural health, refresher programs, and support of Nurse Veterans 

returning to Nebraska from active duty or overseas deployments. 

Our four priority projects continue and are highlighted below as we continue with fundraising via the silent auction 

and tax-deductible cash donations. 

Honor a Nurse in Passing with the Nightingale Tribute 

The Nightingale Tribute was written to be used as a remembrance, honoring a loved one’s service to the nursing 

profession. The Nightingale Tribute is intended to be presented by a nursing colleague or friend and scheduled as 

part of the funeral service in collaboration with the family, funeral home and place of worship as appropriate. The 

entire tribute takes only two minutes and can be placed anywhere in the service appropriate to the traditions and 

beliefs of the recipient’s faith. 

Celebrate a Nurse 

Professional nurses touch the lives of millions every day. By combining compassionate care with clinical reasoning 

and scientific expertise, nurses make a difference all day every day – at home and at work. Nurses coordinate the 

complex business of healthcare in a variety of settings and specialties. Join us to Celebrate Nursing by Praising a Nurse 

(or nurses)! Donate to the NNF to celebrate or remember a nurse in passing and we will send a personal message 

sharing your pride in them. 

NNF Project Grants 

The grants are designed to provide funding for evidence-based practice, quality improvement, or innovation projects 

conducted within education or clinical settings. Funds are available for several grants up to $1,000 each. 


OTHER REPORTS 

Scholarships 

In collaboration with the Nebraska Nurses Association, the NNF annually provides several scholarships for NNA 

members for both undergraduate and graduate education in nursing. 

Board Membership – Status of all Board members and officers remained unchanged. A meeting of the Board was 

held on April 18 and two more are planned for September 19 and December 19, 2019. The NNF will again facilitate 

the Silent Auction, cash donations, and pin sales at the NNA/NNP Convention on October 2-4, 2019. 

Financial Statement 2018 

Account Balances – December 31, 2018 

General Checking – $21,460.01 

Shirley Dooling Memorial – $1,196.15 

Scholarship Endowment – $14,283.69 

NNA Scholarship Fund – $16,416.27 

January – December 2018 Donation Revenues = $4858.00 

January – December 2018 Expenses = $1786.45 

Conference Expenses (new banner, table cover, brochures) = $572.46 

Business Meals = $130.40 

MSD Services = $840.83 

Credit Card Charges = $242.76 

To reduce fees, financial statements were converted to quarterly. 

Financial Statement 2019 YTD 

Account Balances – June 30, 2019 

General Checking – $20,789.31 

Shirley Dooling Memorial – $1,196.15 

Scholarship Endowment – $19,283.69 

NNA Scholarship Fund – $11,416.27 

Gail Graham Higher Education Fund – $5000.00 

January – June 2019 Donation Revenues = $0 

January – June 2019 Expenses = $170.70 

Conference Expenses (corporate renewal fees) = 23.00 

Business Meals = $0 

MSD Services = $38.33 

Credit Card Charges = $60.20 


OTHER REPORTS 

Nebraska Nurses Association – Political Action Committee 

Linda Stones, Chair 

The NNA PAC was re-activated a few years ago as a result of a NNA member attending the American Nurses 

Association Advocacy Institute (ANAI). During the 2018-2019 year, the PAC has been involved in fundraising activities 

and working with candidates running for office. 

The NNA PAC Board is comprised of 7 to 10 members. The members meet as needed to review elections and 

determine activities for the year. The NNA PAC does not endorse candidates for elected positions, but does provide 

financial support for candidates that have been supportive of nursing issues. The PAC is also responsible for educating 

nurses to vote and assists them on being informed voters in state legislative positions. 

Since 2019 is not an election year, the NNA PAC has primarily focused on fundraising. Long term goals of the PAC 

are to start working with nurses to create an interest in a nurse running for a state legislative position. Nebraska is 

one of a few states that do not have a nurse elected to a state seat. If there are nurses interested in running for a 

State seat, we encourage you to reach out to the NNA PAC. We will do what we can to support nurse candidates. 

Lastly, I want to thank Don Wesely, who is instrumental in our work as a PAC. I would also like to thank the NNA PAC 

board members for their service. NNA PAC board members are: 

Kari Wade, Treasurer 

Lin Hughes, Secretary 

Carol Lanouf 

Rita Weber 

Melissa Florell 

Jean Phelan 

Erica Parrish 


OTHER REPORTS 

State Directors Report 

Kim Houtwed, MBA, BSN, RN 

NNA State Director 

The NNA State Director position has experienced personnel changes and vacancies over the past year. This has required 

additional time commitments from your NNA President and the MSD CEO to keep the day-to-day happenings of the 

NNA moving forward. I am pleased to have joined the organization two months ago and will focus on my vision for 

the upcoming year. 

Annually, the ANA surveys the membership for feedback and ideas to improve your state nurse’s association. The 

general themes from this year’s survey are: 

• I want to know more about what NNA does 

• How do I become a leader? 

• How do I get more involved in the organization? 

• How can we get involved in the rural areas? 

• How do I network with roles like mine? 

• Offer more gatherings- educational and/or just for fun 

Even with differing areas of feedback, the themes fall into one overarching category-members want to be 

involved; whether it be as a leader, on a committee, or with other nurses on a professional or personal level. As we 

are planning for the upcoming years activities and ideas are being formulated, these general areas will provide us 

with a roadmap to enhancing your NNA membership. 


OTHER REPORTS 

Midwest Multi-State Division (MW MSD) 

Chief Executive Officer Update 

The MW MSD has now been fully implemented and operationally since January 2017. Utilizing shared resources has 

shown to increase membership and strengthen the imprint of state nurses associations (SNAs) on nursing practice 

and public policy within the states. 

The MW MSD board of directors have had two meetings this year and held an in-person board meeting on August 

23-24. We are excited that in July 2018 the Arkansas Nurses Association joined the MW MSD as the fourth state 

nurses association. We are open to discussions with other state nurses associations (SNA) who may benefit from 

joining a MSD. We have also implemented several member benefit programs for members in each state. 

The current MW MSD board members are Angella Herrman (KS), President, Jan Kemmerer (KS), Vice-President, 

Anna Mackevicius (NE), Sec/Treasurer, Douglass Haas (NE), Terry Reese (MO), Rebecca McClanahan (MO), Stephen 

Pennington (AR) and Michelle Harp (AR). Each member SNA is allotted two board seats. 

NNA continues to have independent, incorporated and fiduciary Board of Directors at the state level to 

manage strategic and financial decisions, events, local advocacy and legislative actions. Bylaws, elections, 

reference proposals, membership and budgetary planning remain the responsibility of the NNA. 

The MW MSD Board of Directors believe that the economy of scale created by the joint operations has enhanced 

member value (responsiveness, technology support, additional education, and expert consultation) and reduce 

expenses, while reducing the burden on volunteer leaders. The MW MSD Chief Executive Officer assists NNA in the 

absence of a state director. 

The Nebraska Nurses Association participated fully in the development of the MW MSD as a corporation and 

continue their dedication to make it a successful and self-sustaining model for association operations. Douglass 

Haas, President, and Anna Mackevicius, Past President are currently serving as the Nebraska representatives on the 

MW MSD board. 

Should you have any questions regarding the MW MSD feel free to contact your NNA board representatives or 

myself. 


OTHER REPORTS 

Midwest Multistate Division CNE Unit 

Judi Dunn MS, CPP, RN-BC 

Nurse Peer Review Leader and Lead Nurse Planner 

Approver Unit 

The Midwest MSD is an Accredited Approver through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission 

on Accreditation. Our Accredited Approver Unit reviews individual activity and Approved Provider applications 

from providers located in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and 

Oklahoma. Individual activity applications arrive sporadically through the year and Approved Provider applications 

arrive on a three-cycle schedule through the year. The Midwest MSD Approver Unit develops multiple resources to help 

agencies plan and implement quality CNE activities, including white papers on specific topics our providers are facing, 

a monthly newsletter, monthly conference calls with providers. The CNE Team also answers a myriad of questions 

daily from applicants and sister organizations. Changes in the ANCC educational design processes to make CNE more 

relevant and to measure positive patient outcomes has led to the need for an increase in educational resources and 

support provided by the MW MSD CNE Team. Approved Provider Units and Individual Activity Applicants require and 

receive significant personal assistance via direct phone calls, group conference calls, emails, web-based resources and 

in-person training. 

In collaboration with our Provider Unit, we will be hosting our Approved Provider Training again this year on September 

9 in Missouri. We had 101 participate in this annual event in 2018 and hope to reach that many if not more with this 

year’s program. 

As of June 30, 2019, the Midwest MSD is currently working with 61 Approved Providers, which include hospitals, 

universities, health systems, and specialty nursing organizations, providing resources to help them plan their continuing 

nursing education programs. We have also reviewed individual activity applications from 43 other agencies in the 

Midwest. 

All members of the CNE team handle individual questions, concerns, educational development, training and 

administrative issues throughout the year. The CNE team holds bi-weekly conference calls to discuss significant topics 

of concern, movement of Corrective Action Plans and Progress Reports due from Approved Provider Units, and 

identification of topic areas for further educational resources. 

In 2019, NPRL Judi Dunn developed additional training for the Nurse Peer Reviewers in anticipation of their completion 

of the ANCC Gold Standard Assessment. The Assessment was completed in May, 2019 and aggregate results will be 

provided early in 2020. 

Provider Unit 

The Midwest MSD is an Accredited Provider through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on 

Accreditation. Our Accredited Provider Unit plans programs for the state nurses associations in Kansas, Missouri, 

Nebraska, and Arkansas. State Directors and planning teams work with our MSD Nurse Planner, Carol Walker and 

MSD staff to plan their state conferences, as well as Region and MIG events that utilize MSD services and/or provide 

nursing contact hours. 


NNA AFFILIATE REPORTS 

NNP Liaison Representative: Douglass Haas 

Tara Whitmire, DNP, APRN-NP, CHFN 

NNP President 

1) Membership 

• 1,970 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Nebraska, 1,474 (75%) are Nurse Practitioners (2018 RN 

Renewal) 

• 350+ members of Nebraska Nurse Practitioners 

2) Legislative 

• NNP was active in the legislative process again this year. We worked with the Nebraska APRN Coalition on 

LB730 APRN consensus bill. This bill was brought forward by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing 

(NCSBN). It intended to align Nebraska with the APRN consensus model to allow APRNs to practice to the 

full extent of their license and education. It had a Health and Human Services (HHS) committee hearing 

on 2/6/19. Senator Howard, Chair of the HHS committee, has requested that the certified nurse midwives 

complete the 407 process before moving forward with consensus model. More to come on this bill. 

• NNP gave testimony in favor of LB29 – Provide and eliminate telehealth provisions. This bill added nurse 

practitioners and other health care providers that are licensed under the Uniform Credentialing Act to provide 

telehealth. It was passed by the Unicameral and signed in to law on March 21, 2019. 

• NNP Member Cathy Philips, MSN, APRN-NP gave testimony in support of LB 327 - State intent to appropriate 

funds for an increase in rates paid to behavioral health service providers. The bill initially requested a provider 

rate increase of 5% for certain behavioral health services. The bill that passed allowed for a 2% increase the 

first year and an additional 2% increase the second year (totaling 4% increase). By substantially increasing 

behavioral health provider rates paid during the biennium budget cycle, it is the intent of the Legislature to 

ensure that providers of these services can continue to serve Nebraskans in the medical assistance program 

and the probation system. 

• The legislative committee also worked on grassroots efforts and assembled a packet of information related to 

nurse practitioners. Terry Thomas, MSN, APRN-NP delivered these packets to 40 senators during the session! 

The legislative committee will continue to work with NNP’s lobbyist, Cora Schrader, to help educate senators 

and advocate for nurse practitioners. NNP needs your help to continue this work. Your membership fees help 

ensure we have the resources needed to continue being health policy advocates. 

• NNP was a Sponsor, and board members & members were attendees of the 2018 Nurses’ Political Reception and 

the NNA Nurses Day at the Legislature. NNP will continue to support both events annually. 

3) Public Relations 

• The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) annual conference took place from June 25-30, 

2019 in Indianapolis, IN. Tara Whitmire, DNP, APRN-NP, Miranda Kliment, DNP, APRN-NP, Roberta Kroeger, 

MSN, APRN-NP, Gloria Akainda, MSN, APRN-NP and Nick Crill, MSN, APRN-NP were in attendance from 

Nebraska. There were over 4,000 NPs in attendance and hundreds of sessions to attend! It was quite a sight! 

The State Excellence Awards were given and NNP wants to congratulate Roberta Kroeger, MSN, APRN-NP for 


NNA AFFILIATE REPORTS 

receiving the Nebraska NP Advocate Award and Kelley Hasenauer, DNP, APRN-NP for receiving the Nebraska 

NP Award. Both are well deserving of these honors! 

• NNP Scholarship committee will be awarding 2-$1,000 scholarships this year. 

4) Education 

• 24th Annual Pharmacology conference was held, July 11-12, 2019, UNMC, Omaha, Nebraska. It was broadcast 

to all UNMC campuses across the state. NNP was an exhibitor and had the opportunity to talk with several 

NPs and encourage membership. 3 door prizes helped to draw NPs in! 

• NNP continues to co-host the NNA/NNP Annual Conference. This is NNP’s 28th annual education conference. 

It will be held on October 2-4, 2019 in Kearney, NE (hopefully it is recovered from the flooding!). The theme 

this year is Nursing Putting the Pieces Together: Where do you fit? 

5) Nominations 

• Executive Board positions up for election in February 2020 include Secretary, Treasurer and one Nominations 

committee position. 

On-behalf of Nebraska Nurse Practitioners, it is with special thanks to NNA for their continued leadership and advocacy 

activities. It is together, through such relationships that we provide a voice for our patients and our profession. 

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NNA Region Map 

Region 1 

Nebraska western border to Nebraska HWY 83 

Region 2 

Nebraska HWY 83 to Nebraska HWY 281 

Region 3 

Nebraska HWY 281 to Nebraska HWY 77 

Region 4 

Nebraska HWY 77 to the Nebraska eastern border 

Communities that rest on border HWYs are considered to be part of the Region to the west of the boundary.

2019 Nebraska Nurses Association Yearbook

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