COUNCIL ON NURSING RESEARCH - This council is concerned with advancing the profession of nursing through activities related to:

1. Improvement of health care
2. Social, scientific and education issues in health needs
3. The promotion of established standards and methods of research
4. The development of nursing theory through the research process
5. The dissemination of research findings to health care professionals and consumers

Additionally, the Research Council sponsors the poster session at the MNA Convention.

COUNCIL ON NURSING PRACTICE - This council is concerned with advancing the practice of nursing which relate to:

1. The scope of standards of nursing practice
2. The ethical and legal aspects of nursing practice
3. The practice of individual nurses
4. Trends for improvement of health care with nursing practice implications

Additionally, this council is responsible for issues related to the nursing workplace. Their role is to work with the Center for American Nurses (CAN) to develop strategies for a safer, more satisfying workplace for nurses which can only enhance patient care. Appropriate staffing, health and safety, patient safety and advocacy and workplace rights are among the range of issues to be addressed by this committee.

The council also establishes Special Interests Groups (SIGs) upon written request to the director and confirmation by the Board.

Special Interest Groups - In order to meet the growing continuing education needs for NPs, there are six active NP special interest groups. The Council on Nursing Practice provides for the establishment and dissolution of Special Interests Groups (SIGs) upon written request to the director and confirmation by the Board. You must be a member of MNA to be a member of one of MNA's Special Interest Groups. The current SIGs include: Historical SIG, South MS Nurse Practitioner SIG, Central MS Nurse Practitioner SIG, North Delta MS Nurse Practitioner SIG, North Central MS Nurse Practitioner SIG, and North MS Nurse Practitioner SIG.

Historical Special Interest Group - This Historical SIG meets approximately 4 times per year. In addition to interesting speakers related to the history of nursing in Mississippi and this country, this SIG celebrates Florence Nightingale's Birthday in conjunction with National Nurses' Week. Additionally, the Historical SIG may sponsor continuing education at the Annual Convention.

COUNCIL ON ADVANCED PRACTICE - This council is concerned with issues related to the advanced practice nurse, i.e. nurse practitioners, and certified mid-wives.

1. Federal and state legislation and government policy affecting advanced practice nurses;
2. Advanced practice nurse membership growth and maintenance of the association;
3. The scope and standards of advanced practice nursing;
4. The ethical and legal aspects of advanced practice nursing;
5. The practice of individual advanced practice nurses;
6. Trends for improvement of health care with advanced practice nursing;
7. Continuing education for advanced practice nurses

This council also assists in planning the Advanced Practice Spring Conference and the post convention workshop in October.

COUNCIL ON NURSING EDUCATION - This council is concerned with advancing the profession of nursing through activities which relate to:

1. Responsibility for nursing education
2. Social, scientific, and educational changes in health needs and practices
3. Federal and state legislation and government policy in the field of education

While continuing education in nursing is not required in Mississippi for licensure, registered nurses know the value of life-long learning. Because of their commitment to nursing education, the Mississippi Nurses Association is accredited to provide nursing continuing education, and the Mississippi Nurses Foundation is accredited to approve nursing continuing education in this state. Thousands of hours are offered and attended each year either through the association or through the many facilities who apply for approval.

The MNA committee under this council is called the Provider Unit. This committee is responsible for planning and implementing the continuing education activities of the MNA. Continuing education activities given by MNA include the CE activities at the Annual Convention, the Advanced Practice Conference and the Nursing Summit.

Special incentive for MNA speakers: Nurses serving as speakers for an MNA function receive a complimentary registration for that function (i.e. MNA Annual Convention, Advanced Practice Conference). To volunteer as a member of the "MNA Speaker's Bureau", please submit your name, address, email address, home and work telephone numbers and topic(s) to MNA@msnurses.org.

MNA can also provide continuing education activities through the MNA Districts, MNA Special Interest Groups or MNA Committees.

COUNCIL ON ORGANIZATIONAL AFFAIRS - This council is concerned with internal functions of MNA through activities which relate to the growth and maintenance of the association. The Council is composed of the Nightingale Awards Committee, Convention Planning Committee, Bylaws Committee and Resolutions Committee.

Nightingale Awards Committee - This committee plans the annual Nightingale Awards Gala scheduled each year for the evening prior to the Nursing Summit. The black-tie event recognizes the stars of nursing in 16 categories.

Committee on Convention Planning - The Convention Planning Committee, working in conjunction with the staff, prepares the convention portfolio for the MNA Board's approval. Continuing education activities are coordinated by the Provider Unit.

Committee on Bylaws - Any District Nurses Association, structural unit, or members wishing to make amendments to the bylaws must have the typed information submitted to the Committee on Bylaws no later than July 1 of the year. The committee will review these requests for consideration in recommending changes. The committee will also make recommendations for changes as necessary to reflect ANA Bylaws content.

Resolutions Committee - Resolutions may be submitted to the Committee on Resolutions for action by the House of Delegates no later than 5:00 p.m. of the day preceding the annual meeting. Resolutions received by June 20 will be printed in the convention issue of the MNA Members Only. All resolutions submitted should be typed in the standard resolution format.

COUNCIL ON HEALTH AFFAIRS - This council is concerned with external functions of MNA through activities which relate to the relevant, scientific and educational development and changes in health needs and practices, and delivery systems; state and national health affairs, legislation, and policies; liaison with other health organizations for the advancement of health care.

Committee on State Health Affairs - This committee meets weekly during the legislation session to discuss legislative bills that will affect nursing. Every legislative bill related to health care and nursing is reviewed by members of this committee. After careful review of all health care legislation, the committee recommends that the Board of Directors either support, oppose or monitor the bills. The MNA lobbyist takes those recommendations and notifies legislators of MNA's position. This committee is also responsible for the annual Nursing Summit and participates with the MNA lobbyist in advocating for or opposing certain legislation.

How to Contact Your Legislator

COMMITTEES - Other Committees are designated by the Bylaws, or have been created by the Board of Directors.

Committee on Membership: This committee works directly with the MNA Vice President who is the membership director. The Committee on Membership is responsible for advising the Board of Directors on membership status of the association. Additionally, this committee assists the districts in planning and implementing activities for increasing membership.

Committee on Finance: This committee works with the MNA Treasurer. The responsibilities of the Committee on Finance include advising the Board of Directors on financial policies of the association, preparing the budget for the association and advising on the expenditure of funds.

Committee on Nominations: The Committee on Nominations is responsible for requesting names of candidates for electives offices of MNA from association structural units and the districts. The Committee consists of five members, three elected at the annual meeting and two appointed by the board of directors.

DNA Constituent Advisory Council: Constituent nurses associations of MNA shall be termed DNAs (District Nurses Association). A DNA may become a constituent of MNA upon approval of its articles of incorporation and other criteria as determined by the MNA Board of Directors. No more than one DNA at a time from any geographic area of Mississippi may become a constituent of MNA. Boundaries of districts are clearly defined and recorded by the MNA Board of Directors. Boundaries may be changed by a two-thirds vote of the MNA Board of Directors. Each DNA adopts and maintains bylaws that confirm to the purposes as specified, conform to membership provisions as specified and provide representation to the MNA House of Delegates as specified in these bylaws. The bylaws must not conflict with the bylaws of MNA or ANA published policies and procedures of the House of Delegates or the Board. The DNA must provide reports to MNA as required. Meeting dates are set by the District Nurses Association. The staff of the MNA may assist in the preparation of meeting notices at a nominal cost to the DNA.

MNA-PAC: The Mississippi Nurses Association Political Action Committee is a voluntary unincorporated, non profit, registered non-partisan organization of nurses which shall function in conformity with the policies, goals and platforms of the MNA.

The purpose of the MNA-PAC shall be to promote the improvement of the health care of the people by raising funds to support candidates without regard to party affiliation who support the legislative agenda of MNA. Registered with the Secretary of State, the MNA-PAC is subject to the requirements of the Mississippi State Election laws.

Any individual, business or entity is eligible to contribute to the MNA-PAC and the Board of Trustees is authorized to solicit and accept contributions from any person from whom contributions may be lawfully solicited in accordance with applicable law.