Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

THE Philippine Nurses Association Of San Diego County, Inc. is a non-profit organization of nursing professionals dedicated to the medical community of our chapter region within the Philippine Nurses Association Of America (PNAA). The PNASD, for thirty years, has taken pride in providing for our members and beyond, education, service, and unity to further our mission statement and philosophy.

Our image throughout San Diego, as well as throughout the country, has been expanding greatly these past few years with the help and devotion of our members. With workshops, participation in national conferences, scholarship programs, community services, collaboration with other nursing organizations, and monthly meetings, the PNASD has remained a strong professional and cultural influence in San Diego.

The PNASD offers monthly in-service courses and annual conferences that satisfy Continuing Education Units (CEU) which are applied towards earning or renewing the California State Nursing Licensure, as well as the opportunity to share this network of friendship and professionalism as a civic community, and as nursing professionals.

Belief in human dignity for all people of diverse culture, respect for human rights, and promotion of excellence in nursing practice.

• It is the mission of the PNASD, a professional nursing association, to:
• Promote professional and educational growth through nursing research and through provision of information on current trends in practice and issues affecting nursing.
• Facilitate the interpretation of the standards of nursing practice to its members.
• Collaborate with other organizations and community leaders on health related issues and problems.
• Enhance Filipino nurses’ image by actively participating in activities and programs that promote and enhance professionalism in nursing practice.
• Develop a network to provide support, counseling, and mentorship to members to foster professional and personal growth.
• Examine and review issues and problems impacting the nursing profession and make recommendations to benefit individual members.

• Professional Growth
• Provide monthly continuing education and workshops with free CEU’s.
• Conduct nursing research projects.
• Review and participate in legislative issues affecting nursing.
• Interact and collaborate with other professional organizations.
• Provide expertise in writing grant proposals.

• Offer scholarship awards.
• Conduct health screening activities and health education classes.
• Participate in community programs and activities.
• Promote and support ethnic diversity (i. e. Martin Luther King Celebration, Hispanic Scholarship Events).

• National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Association
• Philippine Nurses Association of America
• Council of Philippine-American Organizations

• The PNASD was formed and organized in 1974. The focus of the association is on the need for:
• Unity among Filipino nurses.
• Upholding excellence in nursing practice.
• Sensitivity to human needs for service.

• -Continue to adhere to the currently revised By-laws and provisions of the PNASD and adapt to changes to keep up with current practice.
• -Focus on membership strategies by identifying key members from each of the local hospitals and healthcare facilities to disseminate timely information about PNASD.
• -Enhance community involvement via our current and future alliances with local community organizations and healthcare associations.
• -Encourage members’ participation in community health fairs and educational events to inspire and mentor new leaders.
• -Continue to assist the educational and professional needs of the membership.
• -Promote the continued visibility of PNASD through our partnership with other healthcare professional organizations like SDHNA, SDBNA, COPAO, USTNAA, Samahan, and our presence in local community activities.
• -Continue to strengthen the PNAA strategic initiative of the "PRISM" which stands for Professional Linkages, Regulatory and Legislative Agenda, Interagency Collaboration, Services and Program Development, and Managing Organizational Resources.

• -Adhere to current By-laws and Standards of PNASD and review current Articles/provisions that may require change as a response to current practice.
• -Seek assistance to promote the involvement of PNASD in Medical Missions to the rural areas in the Philippines.
• -Continue to focus on the learning opportunities of each member whose professional growth is foremost in our agenda.
• -Continue to ensure that the necessary resources available to fund activities of the association be done according to the guidelines set by the By-laws and procedural standards of the association.
• -Communicate with Chief Nursing Officers and offer assistance to the needs of nurses in various settings.
• -Ensure the visibility of PNASD via the continued partnership with other healthcare professionals involved in community events.
• -Focus on increasing the membership to include healthcare professionals seeking licensure as an RN providing them the opportunity to be mentored by its members.
• -Communicate with the San Diego Chapter of National Association of Hispanic Nurses and the Black Nurses Association to create synergies related to important issues as we move along the continuum of care.

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( Published March 24, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B4 )