Maine ENA Home

MENA is the Maine state council of the Emergency Nurses Association. We are a not-for-profit organization and our main purpose is education.

Our vision is to define the future of emergency nursing and emergency care through advocacy, expertise, innovation, and leadership.

National ENA Organization

ENA is the specialty nursing association serving the emergency nursing profession through research, publications, professional development, and injury prevention. Since 1970, when Judith Kelleher and Anita Dorr founded the Association, ENA has grown larger, stronger and more influential each year.

The National ENA website has a great deal of information related to its mission, vision, values and ideas for today and tomorrow.

President’s Message - Summer, 2008

I could never have envisioned 10 years ago that in 2008 I would be representing Maine ENA as its president and traveling to three different states a year to conferences. Like so many nurses, I was a working mom, juggling a hectic home life with a full time work schedule. There was not much time for professional growth or education that reached beyond anything that was not a mandatory requirement for my job.

Then in 1998, a colleague and I were selected to go to the ENA Scientific Assembly in Denver, Colorado. It was an eye opening experience to say the least. I enthusiastically enjoyed the variety of educational offerings and the opportunities to meet and talk with other ED nurses from around the country. However, I became acutely aware of how stagnant I had become. Although I went to work for 40 hours a week, I really had not kept up with anything new.

Shortly after that I decided to become more active professionally and went to the Maine ENA annual meeting. There was an opening to be the education chair, so I volunteered and held that position for several years and was newsletter editor after that. As my family has grown, I have been able to become more active and graduate into a leadership role. This education and experience continues to be vital to my professional role as a nurse educator. Not only is ENA an educational resource, but its positions and programs are recognized as best practice standards. My participation in ENA is recognized by my coworkers and the hospital as a benefit to our ED and many ask me to “check ENA and see what’s new with procedural sedation or patient safety”. I am frequently asked to bring educational materials or a CD from a great lecture back from a conference.

Every ED nurse should be able to be involved at some level. Even if it is just maintaining ENA membership and reading professional journals, it is a way to keep up with evidence based nursing practice, safety goals, and new technology. If you get the chance, take time to attend a Maine ENA education day. You will be able to hear some clinical practice lectures, visit a few vendors, and most of all, network with other nurses. Those nurses who are fortunate enough to go to the New England Regional Symposium or national Scientific Assembly always return rejuvenated and enthusiastic.

Please feel free to contact any Maine ENA board member or committee chair, regarding any questions or suggestions. Also, keep in mind that anyone may attend a board meeting or volunteer on a committee. We understand that many nurses would like to be involved, but are not always able to dedicate a lot of time and commitment.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carol Minis, RN, CEN
President Maine ENA