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Nursing Association Workshop Focuses on Strengthening Relationships, Plans for the Future
Originally published in AIHA's Connections, January 2001.Some 50 nurses representing the Albanian Nursing Association (ANA) and partnership nurses from Tirana gathered December 4-6, 2000 at the Albania Nursing Association workshop to strengthen the communication and relationships among nursing association leaders and members of the ANA, as well as to discuss the Ministry of Health's vision for nursing in Albania.
Association President Sabri Skenderaj discussed the status of the organization and its future plans to closely collaborate with the Ministry of Health on nursing education reform and establishing a Nursing Resource Center. USAID Mission Director in Albania Howard Sumka was also present at the workshop, where NIS and CEE faculty shared some of their successes as well as challenges encountered in building national associations. Nurses from Georgia, Latvia, and Romania shared their own experiences in terms of establishing a relationship with the Ministry of Health—many that are similar to those Albanian nurses are currently facing or will soon confront.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the Albanian Ministry of Health, offered a session that taught participants communication methods necessary to develop strategic relationships with health authorities, dignitaries, community leaders, and government officials. Other small-group sessions challenged attendees' team-building and leadership skills, and focused on membership, and recruitment, and organizational resources.
