The Academy of Emergency Nursing had much to celebrate at Emergency Nursing 2024. It inducted another impressive group of emergency nurses advancing the specialty while also commemorating its 20th anniversary.
(From left) The Academy of Emergency Nursing inducted its 2024 Fellows: Mike Hastings, Michael Gooch, Sara Daykin, Courtney Edwards, Jennifer Miller (on behalf of her mother, Mary McKenna Bailey, who was inducted posthumously) and Kory Scheideman.
At its annual induction ceremony and dinner, the academy welcomed six extraordinary emergency nurses as AEN Fellows — one of the highest honors in emergency nursing. Dressed to the nines in black-tie attire, Fellows from the past 20 years came together to honor the 2024 cohort for their substantial and enduring contributions to emergency nursing in areas such as education, leadership, injury prevention, advocacy, pediatric care, and mentorship.
Courtney Edwards, DNP, MPH, RN, CEN, CCRN, TCRN, was inducted as a 2024 Fellow for her work on trauma and injury prevention, including developing an instructor training program for the Stay Active and Independent for Life program, a fitness program for adults 65 and older.
Kory Scheideman, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, was recognized for his efforts to reduce the stigma toward ED patients with substance use disorder and raising awareness of these biases.
The academy selected Michael Gooch, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CEN, CFRN, CTRN, ENP-BC, ENP-C, FNP-BC, NRP, TCRN, as a 2024 Fellow for his commitment to increasing the knowledge of nurse practitioners, including developing peer-reviewed educational content in pharmacology and toxicology.
Mike Hastings, MSN, RN, CEN, was honored for his leadership and nurse advocacy efforts. That includes serving as the emergency nurse leader on collaborative efforts with the U.S. Under-Secretary of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, as well as being the only nurse on NHTSA’s National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council in the early days of COVID-19.
Sara Daykin, DNP, RN, CPEN, TCRN, was recognized for her dedication to providing and expanding pediatric care educational opportunities for rural providers.
AEN inducted Mary McKenna Bailey, BSN, RN, CEN, posthumously in honor of her distinguished 50-year career, which included creating the first CEN exam and helping to develop trauma systems.
The audience was particularly moved by Jennifer Miller, Bailey’s daughter. She shared that her mother’s greatest joy as an emergency nurse was serving as a mentor and educator, paving the way for her colleagues and fellow nurses to shine.
“Mom taught me so many things, but one of the most important things was to learn something new every day, and, when possible, teach someone something every day. Most of all, never stop learning,” said Miller, a former EMT
“Mom was always somebody that lifted everyone else,” Miller said after the event. “And mom would probably have said that while she’s honored [to be an AEN Fellow], she could probably think of other people to help lift, to put in that position over herself.”
2011 ENA President Ann Marie Papa echoed those sentiments. With Bailey as her mentor, Papa credits Bailey for recognizing her leadership potential and helping her hone her leadership skills.
“Mary was one of those people that could see things in people that you couldn’t see in yourself. She saw in me that I was a leader. She told me that I was going to be national ENA president, and I told her she was crazy. And she, obviously, wasn’t crazy,” Papa said. “She was also one of those people that opened the door for you and pushed you to do things to improve.”
After the Induction Ceremony, ENA threw an open-invitation party so everyone could celebrate the academy’s 20th anniversary, with cocktails and a DJ. The event was a reunion for the fellows from the very first class in 2005 through this year, as well as a chance for others to connect with those who have been honored for their contributions to emergency nursing and perhaps consider their own path toward fellowship.
Howard, who as ENA president in 2005 inducted the first class, mingled with attendees to encourage them to learn more about the academy.
First-time attendee Katie Howard, ADN, RN, who is a travel nurse from Maine, said she plans to learn more about the academy after talking with Kunz Howard (no relation).
Marie Yabut, MN, RN, CEN, a nurse from Virginia, said her goal is to apply to be a fellow in the next several years, and she has already spoken with several fellows. Last year she found someone who could be her mentor.
“I have been interested in the academy. I’m waiting for the right moment,” said Yabut, who is a TNCC instructor, director and faculty and an ENPC instructor.
Justin Milici, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CCRN, FAEN, who was inducted into the academy in 2015, said fellowship is an achievement and recognition of enduring and substantial contributions to nursing, but it’s not the endpoint.
“Induction is the beginning. It’s continuing those contributions and growing them,” Milici said.
“There is so much incredible talent in these nurses,” he said. “I want new nurses to think about the journey they’ve started on, and what it means to be an emergency nurse, and how you’re going to continue to grow and how you’re going to continue to learn and excel in what they do every day.”