As the year comes to an end, take a moment with ISAPN to recall and reflect on all of the amazing things that have happened. We are excited to share our Top 10 Quotes of the year, and the stories behind them with you!

 

2024 Nurses Day at the Capitol

Nurses Day at the Capitol is a fantastic opportunity for APRNs of Illinois to make their voices heard together. This special day acts as a call to action for nurses, providing the space and attention to make the unique job challenges of healthcare heard by policymakers. 

"Nurses Day at the Capitol is an important opportunity for us to be able to demonstrate to our legislators that we are educated, informed advocates for our patients, their constituents. We can provide valuable guidance for them regarding laws pertaining to healthcare issues. If we are not active in advocating for laws that affect our practice and the patients we serve, somebody else will be." — Former President of ISAPN, Stephanie Crawford, DNP APRN. 

The 2024 Nurses Day at the Capitol showed the incredible power of collective advocacy as nurses came together to champion healthcare policy changes that directly impact our profession and patients. Don’t miss the opportunity to continue this vital work in 2025!  

Discover the highlights from last year’s impactful march here and see how your participation can shape the future of nursing in Illinois. Let’s unite, advocate, and make a difference—together, we can amplify our voices where it matters most.  

Mark your calendars and be part of the change at the 2025 Nurses Day at the Capitol!

New Mission, Vision, and Core Values

This year, ISAPN took a step in solidifying what the organization truly represents. By releasing an official mission, vision, and core values statement, ISAPN outlined exactly why it matters for APRNs across Illinois. 

"We’ve been doing it, but now it’s out here for everybody to see that this is truly what we mean and why this organization exists,” — April Odom, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC.

"Having the mission, vision, and core values written down really keeps us laser-focused on the things that we are meant to do for ISAPN," — April emphasized.

Mission

• ISAPN is dedicated to promoting and supporting advanced practice registered nurses through advocacy, policy, education, and professional development.

Vision

• Harnessing professional unity, driving policy, and transforming healthcare to ensure equitable access and exceptional health outcomes for all.

Core Values of ISAPN

• Advocacy: Advocacy for Health Policy that supports APRNs and patients.
• Leadership: Leadership that promotes excellence and integrity in healthcare.
• Inclusiveness: Inclusiveness represents an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and welcomed, regardless of their background, abilities, age, gender, ethnicity, race, or sexual orientation.
• Excellence: Excellence in the promotion of Advanced Practice Nursing to provide high-quality care in a professional and competent manner.

"I hope that people see these core values and they see themselves in these, where they’re like, 'Okay, this is a place where I belong,' because they are focusing on things that align with my personal mission and goals," — April Odom. 

The new mission, vision, and core values of ISAPN are more than just words—they are a bold declaration of purpose and a guiding light for the organization and its members. By formalizing these principles, ISAPN reinforces its commitment to advocacy, inclusiveness, and excellence, ensuring that every APRN in Illinois feels represented and empowered. This framework not only unifies the organization but also inspires members to see ISAPN as a place where they belong and can thrive. Together, these values set the foundation for a brighter, more impactful future for advanced practice nursing in Illinois.

 

The New President of ISAPN

ISAPN was proud to announce and induct April Odom, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, as our new president! With 22 years of experience in healthcare, April brings a host of new ideas and qualified leadership with her as she takes on her new role. 

April’s presidency is centered around three primary goals:

• Increasing Membership and Engagement: April is determined to boost ISAPN’s membership by demonstrating the value of the organization to APRNs across Illinois. 
• Connecting APRNs Across Illinois: Recognizing the vastness and diversity of the state, April aims to bridge the gap between APRNs in different regions. 
• Supporting APRN Business Owners: With the rise of APRN-owned businesses, April sees an opportunity for ISAPN to become a vital resource for these entrepreneurs. She plans to provide APRN business owners with the support they need, particularly in navigating regulations and laws that affect their practices.

April understands the importance of representation in nursing. When diverse voices are included, it creates a stronger, more inclusive profession that reflects the communities nurses serve. She is committed to ensuring all APRNs in Illinois feel seen, heard, and valued, recognizing that representation fosters innovation, equity, and better patient outcomes.  

"Learning over time that my voice did matter and the things that I had to say mattered and that I needed to be the representation for those who look like me," — April Odom. 

Read more about April’s vision for ISAPN and how she plans to amplify every voice in our full article here.

Recognizing Excellence in our Membership

Each year, ISAPN acknowledges two outstanding member APRNs for their contributions to healthcare. This year, we were pleased to give Rozina Virani and Bernadette Sobczak the recognition they deserve. 

Julie Adkins Nurse of the Year Award

“Winning this award represents not just a personal achievement but also a collective recognition of the dedication and impact of all APRNs. It inspires me to continue advocating for our profession and to empower others to strive for excellence in their practice,” — Rozina Virani.

Marie Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing

“I hope to role-model the importance of mentorship, global health issues, and research to our profession. My values are compassion, honesty, life-long learning, and leadership,” — Bernadette Sobczak.  

These awards celebrate the dedication, compassion, and leadership that Rozina Virani and Bernadette Sobczak exemplify as APRNs, serving as an inspiration to all within the profession. By highlighting their achievements, ISAPN reinforces the importance of excellence, mentorship, and advocacy in advancing healthcare. Their contributions remind us of the profound impact that committed APRNs can have on patients, communities, and the future of nursing.

Introducing New ISAPN Board Members

ISAPN welcomed seven new members to the Board of Directors this year! Each member brings new ideas and experiences to better our organization. 

President-Elect: Christopher Gill, PhD, MBA, CRNA, CNP, FACHE

Secretary: Mya Yee Nandar, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Government Relations/PAC Chair: Raechel Ferry-Rooney, DNP, APRN-ANP

Membership Committee Chair: Hannah Holmes, MS, APRN, FNP-BC

CNS Representative: Cheryl Herrmann, MS, APRN-FPA, CCRN, CCNS, CSC-CMC

CRNA Representative: Maike Yashita, DNP, APRN, CRNA 

Northeast/North (NEN) Region Chair: Rozina Virani, MSN, APRN,-FPA, FNP-BC

East Central (EC) Region Chair: Amy Odel, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C

South (S) Region Chair: Ann Altgilbers, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CNP 

“Nursing has been characterized as having a strong ethic of service. To continue growth in knowledge and advancement which have reshaped nurses' roles over the past 150 years,” — Mya Yee Nandar.

"I'm very excited to be on the board to learn how to advocate for our APRN practice and CNSs,” — Cheryl Herrmann. “

Being an ISAPN Board Member is an incredible honor and responsibility. It means advocating for APRNs and working to improve access to care in Illinois, ensuring that the citizens of our state receive exceptional, cost-effective care while shaping the future of our profession,” — Christopher Gill.

The new ISAPN Board of Directors brings a wealth of expertise, passion, and diverse perspectives to the organization, paving the way for meaningful growth and impactful advocacy. Each member’s commitment to advancing the role of APRNs and improving healthcare access reflects the core values of ISAPN. Together, they represent a strong, unified leadership dedicated to empowering APRNs and shaping the future of nursing in Illinois. We look forward to the innovative contributions they will bring to our profession!

2024 - That's a Wrap!

As we reflect on the incredible milestones of 2024, it's clear that ISAPN is more than just an organization—it's a powerful advocate, a supportive community, and a resource for professional growth. From advancing policies that empower APRNs to fostering connections across the state, ISAPN is dedicated to making a tangible difference for nurses and the patients they serve.

As we step into 2025, we invite you to get involved, share your voice, and join us in shaping the future of nursing in Illinois. Whether it’s participating in advocacy events like Nurses Day at the Capitol, engaging with our new Board of Directors, or leveraging the support ISAPN offers, there’s a place for you here. Together, we can continue driving progress, amplifying our impact, and ensuring that advanced practice nursing thrives.

Let’s make 2025 another year of innovation, advocacy, and excellence—join ISAPN and be part of the change!