About The Old Dominion Society Of Gastroenterology Nurses And Associates
The Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, or ODSGNA as it is sometimes called, can best be understood by examining its mission statement. According to their website, this is the mission statement of the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates:
“The Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates is a professional organization of nurses and associates dedicated to the safe and effective practice of gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing. ODSGNA carries out its mission by advancing the science and practice of gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing through education, research, advocacy, and collaboration, and by promoting the professional development of its members in an atmosphere of mutual support”.
From this we can gather that the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates is a professional organization that exists to regulate the practice of gastroenterological nursing. The main aims of the organization are to ensure that the profession is conducted safely and professionally by all those pursing professionals who form part of e society. This is in the best interests of the nurses as well as their patients and society as whole. The organization also wishes to advance gastroenterological nursing through research and education, meaning that membership with the organization is likely to result in a number of opportunities for advancement for you. In addition the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates aims to further the profession by engaging in advocacy. This means that the needs and desires of its members will be legislated for at a national level, allowing you to make a significant change in the entire industry. Through collaboration with relevant organizations the society offers more opportunities for its members as well as for its patients.
Membership Benefits
As a division of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, members of the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates are eligible for the same membership benefits as members of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.
The first benefit that you will receive as a member of this association is the opportunity for education. The Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates is well aware that the best way in which to improve the industry of gastroenterology is by ensuring that those nurses who work in the field are well equipped and educated for dealing with the tasks that they face. There are also a number of networking opportunities available. Networking essentially refers to interacting with other professionals in your field thereby expanding your knowledge and bettering your career prospects. This is well known as being one of the best ways of advancing your career, which is why it is a service offered by the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates. As a member you will also be able to view new product developments through national and regional education courses.
There are also a number of publications that you will receive once you are a member of the society. These include:
- Six annual issues of Gastroenterology Nursing
- The SGNA’s journal
- A subscription to SGNA News, the SGNA’s newsletter
These publications allow you to stay up to date with industry news and to ensure that you do not miss out on any of the many opportunities available for gastroenterological nurses in our society.
A significant benefit that members of the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates will receive is a discount on certification through the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN). Many professionals do not become certified because of the costs involved but, as certification can improve your job opportunities and open many more doors for you, the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates believes that it is extremely important for nurses in gastroenterology to have access to this option. As a result they ensure that discounts are available.
One of the ways in which you will be given the opportunity to network with others in the field is by having access to a comprehensive online membership directory through which you can contact with anyone who you think will be able to help you in your career.
As a member of the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates you will also be able to make use of SGNA’s employment network which exists to connect nursing professionals to new positions and careers. By posting your resume on the website and by viewing the various job postings that are put there by potential employers you will be in a position to find the right job for you quickly and easily.
There are also a number of opportunities for members to for volunteer participation on national committees and task forces, ranging from awards to research. This will give you valuable experience and will boost you resume as a result. In addition you will impress future employers with your clear dedication to the profession and the indication that you are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.
Members of the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates have opportunities to influence policy and legislation at the national level. This is extremely important as the laws and legislation passed at this level of government often affect nurses in gastroenterology directly. By joining the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates you are increasing your influence in this regard as the society actively campaigns for the demands and interests of its members.
If you need funds for research or education, and if you are an outstanding individual in the profession, you may be eligible for the Award and Scholarship opportunities offered by the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates through the SGNA Education and Research initiatives.
The last three advantages that you will have access to as a member of the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates are:
- Contact Hours available through SGNA education materials and Annual Course attendance.
- Access to a Speaker Resource Database to locate expert speakers on various GI/Endoscopy related topics.
- Reduced fees for registration at national education courses, for independent study module contact hours, for purchase of SGNA publications and for SGNA Marketplace merchandise.
Awards And Scholarships
The Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates is a subdivision of SGNA, or the Society Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, and you will therefore be able to have access to the same scholarships as member of SGNA if you join the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates:
- Advanced Associates Program Scholarship
- Associates Program Scholarship
- Board of Directors Award
- Distinguished Service Award
- Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award
- Outstanding Regional Society Award
- Regional Society Member of the Year
- SGNA Membership Dues Scholarship
- SGNA Annual Course Scholarships
- SGNA Novice Nurse/Associate Scholarship
- SGNA RN General Education Scholarship
- SGNA RN Advancing Education Scholarship
- SGNA Research Grants
If you would like to find out more about these awards and scholarships, such as who is eligible to receive them and how to apply, please take the time to visit this web page: http://www.sgna.org/AboutUs/AwardsandScholarships.aspx.
Events
The Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates is responsible for hosting a number of pivotal events that have a significant impact on gastroenterology nursing. Upcoming events at this point in time include:
September 7-9, 2012
ACG/VGS/ODSGNA Regional Postgraduate Course
Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, VA
Visit www.gi.org for more information
November 3, 2012
Beyond the Basics Conference
Sentara Careplex Hospital in Hampton, VA
March 1, 2013
Certification Review Course
Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel in Virginia Beach, VA
March 2-3, 2013
DelMarVa SGNA 15th Annual Spring Conference
Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel in Virginia Beach, VA
May 17-22, 2013
SGNA 40th Annual Course
Austin, TX
www.sgna.org
Professional membership with an organization, such as the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates at a national level will certainly open a number of doors for you, but local membership with an organization like the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates will allow you to play a part in change that influences you and everyone around you in an immediate way. In addition you will have the opportunity to have access to job openings specifically in your area. When you consider the membership benefits provided as well as the implicit career advancing opportunities that membership opens up for you, it is hard to think why anyone wouldn’t join.
If you would like to find out more about this association, please use the contact information provided below to do so:
President:
Lorrie Brickner, RN CGRN
Email: lbrickner@yahoo.com
President-Elect:
Eileen Babb, BSN RN CGRN
Email: endonurse123@gmail.com
Immediate Past President:
Cindy Taylor, RN BSN MSA CGRN
Email: Cynthia.Taylor3@va.gov
Secretary:
Susan M. Mitchell, RN ADN CGRN
E-mail: ladysuzan@hotmail.com
Treasurer:
Nancy S. Schlossberg, BA BSN RN CGRN
E-mail: Nancy.Schlossberg@cox.net
Education Chair:
Margie Danner-Roth, RN BSN CGRN
Email: margie@danner.org
Membership Chair:
Kathyrn Snyder, BSN RN MMH CGRN
Email: kes5y@virginia.edu
Communication Committee Chair:
Eileen Babb, BSN RN CGRN
Email: endonurse123@gmail.com
