Lynne Buchanan, PhD, adult gerontology specialty track coordinator and tenured UNMC College of Nursing associate professor, has been re-elected vice president of the Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA) Board of Directors.
Dr. Buchanan will serve a two-year term in the role.
First elected to the position in 2022 and re-elected last year, Buchanan said she pursued the role because of the work NNA does throughout the state.
“I have always been impressed with how NNA advocates for the practicing nurse at all levels,” she said.
As vice president, Dr. Buchanan will work with the board president to promote the mission of NNA and execute duties as tasked by the president and board members. She also will work with the state NNA director to promote events. One of her first tasks as vice president is to help implement and meet the NNA’s strategic plan goals, she said.
The NNA aims to promote legislation to support nursing in collaboration with the guidance of the American Nurses’ Association of which it is affiliated. It also represents the needs of all nurses in Nebraska, including RNs, APRNs, administrators and researchers.
As a result, Dr. Buchanan and her fellow board members will work collaboratively with the board president and state executive director to not only support nursing but focus on advancements of the profession. One of Buchanan’s primary focuses is on the work environment of the nurse and how artificial intelligence technologies impact nursing workloads. A goal, she said, is to have AI’s use in the workplace discussed as a topic at the annual NNA convention and show its abilities to a wide audience.
“AI has tremendous potential for assisting registered and advanced practice nurses in their daily roles,” she said. “Our nursing profession is beginning to embrace these technologies.”