Featured Event: Nurses Education Series Virtual Workshop Jan. 25 — Free for WSNA members

Explore the power of leadership and learn how mentorship can help you reach your career aspirations at the next Nurses Education Series Workshop, “Lead, Drive, and Thrive.” This virtual event will be held from 9 a.m.-11:20 a.m. Jan. 25 and is free for all WSNA members. A link to a recording will be provided for all who register.

The Nurses Education Series is a collaborative effort by the regional associations—King County Regional Nurses Association, Northwest Regional Nurses Association, Inland Empire Regional Nurses Association, Rainier Olympic Regional Nurses Association, Central Washington Regional Nurses Association—to provide continuing education for nurses in our state to encourage career growth and enhance professional skills.

This 2025 workshop features American Nurses Association President Jennifer S. Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAA, and Washington Center for Nursing Executive Director Sofia Aragon, JD, BSN, RN, FAAN.

Mensik Kennedy will present “The Art of Navigating Healthcare Systems.” Learn critical information and practical strategies to embrace your power of leadership and grow your skillset to lead, drive, and thrive in your healthcare system.

All nurses are leaders, but the challenges of the role require an adept and agile strategy for the navigation of healthcare systems. Discover how to translate leadership theory into practice by understanding why the system exists and what benefits it brings to nurses and patients.

Mensik Kennedy,  a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, is a sought-after presenter and prolific author. She was named by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2023 and 2024. Her books include Lead, Drive, and Thrive in the System, 2nd edition, and The Nurse Manager’s Guide to Innovative Staffing, 2nd edition.

Aragon will present “Mentoring as a Path to Build Leadership Skills.” Explore how mentoring can help you build your leadership skills and social support systems critical for professional fulfillment and career advancement.

We’ll hear from participants in the Washington Center for Nursing’s mentoring program for diverse nurse educators. Mentors and mentees will describe how being a mentor promotes both personal and professional growth and satisfaction in nursing, and how this approach has inspired other efforts to support nurses advancing their careers.

Aragon is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and was recently awarded the Dr. C. June Strictland Distinguished & Transcultural Nursing Advocate Award by the University of Washington School of Nursing.

A recording of the workshop will be available approximately three weeks after the event. All those who register will receive a link to the recording.

Continuing education

This activity has been submitted to Oregon Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. Oregon Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Upon approval, attendees may earn two contact hours. Participants must be present for all the educational activity to receive contact hours.

The Nurses Education Series is sponsored by Central Washington Region Nurses Association, Inland Empire Nurses Association, King County Nurses Association, Northwest Region Nurses Association, Rainier Olympic Nurses Association, and Southwest Region Nurses Association.