WV Organization for Nursing Leadership - WVONL

🎉This week, we want to highlight another of our wonderful board members, Shaunna Lipscomb!🎉

⭐Who are you?
-Throughout my career, I have focused on expanding access to quality healthcare in rural communities and developing strong nursing teams through mentorship and leadership. I began my career as a Licensed Practical Nurse and advanced to become a Registered Nurse, earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing along the way. I currently serve as Chief of Nursing at Rainelle Medical Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center. In addition, I work weekends at the WVU Behavioral Health Center and teach clinical courses to future registered nurses at West Virginia Junior College. I am also pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner student at WVU.

Beyond my professional roles, I am the proud mother of six wonderful children and am grateful for the unwavering support of my husband. I am honored to serve as an appointed Board Member of WVONL and take great pride in contributing to the advancement of nursing leadership across our state.

⭐What does nursing leadership mean to you?
-I am deeply passionate about the nursing profession and committed to providing high-quality, compassionate patient care while mentoring and educating the next generation of nurses. Nursing leadership is essential in advocating for one of the nation's most trusted professions. As nurse leaders, we have the opportunity to identify solutions to complex healthcare challenges, amplify the voices of nurses, and help shape the future of healthcare.

Through servant leadership and a commitment to lifelong learning, I strive to champion excellence in nursing practice while fostering the success of healthcare teams and improving the well-being of the patients and communities we serve.

⭐Why are you a part of WVONL?
-I am a member of WVONL because I value the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals whose shared vision and passion are driving the future of healthcare. Working alongside fellow Board Members allows me to support WVONL's mission of advancing nursing leadership, enhancing professional development opportunities, and advocating for legislative and policy changes that strengthen the nursing profession and improve the quality of care delivered to patients and communities throughout West Virginia.

🩺 New data reveals what it really takes to build confident, practice-ready nurses in year one.

Join American Association of Colleges of Nursing & AONL, in collaboration with The Health Management Academy, for insights from a study of 2,300+ new graduate nurses. Learn what academic and health system leaders can do to support new nurses as they transition into the workforce.

📅 July 9, 2026 | 12:00 PM CT

Register: https://www.aonl.org/education-events/developing-confident-practice-ready-nurses-data-driven-insights-academic-and-health-system-leader

Happy Independence Day from all of us at WVONL! 🎉🎉🎉

Thank you to all of the nurses, leaders, and other healthcare workers who are spending today serving and caring for others.

📢This week we want to highlight WVONL’s amazing current president, Jennifer Nestor!

⭐Who are you?
-I am the current President of WVONL and have been the CNO at Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital for nearly 17 years. I am proud to have celebrated my 30th year as a nurse this May. I love the community and team that I have had the honor to be part of for all these years. We have seen the transition to a brand new hospital facility and brought so many new services to a community so they can keep critical infrastructure close to home. I also am a certified diabetes educator and faith community nurse, holding monthly classes for Preston County Health Department.

⭐What does nursing leadership mean to you?
-To me, nursing leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about how we take care of each other. It means stepping in when someone is overwhelmed, listening when someone needs to be heard, and creating an environment where nurses feel supported, safe, and empowered to do their best work.

⭐Why are you a part of WVONL?
-I believe participation in WVONL is a big part of nursing leadership, as an organization that strives to be at the heart of assessing the needs of nurses in WV and providing the collaboration, education, resources, and support they need. An organization doesn't survive or accomplish its mission if we all don't do our part.

We're so excited for next year's conference!

This week, the AONL 2027 Conference Committee came together to begin shaping next year’s conference — and we’re especially excited to welcome nurse leaders to Phoenix, Arizona! 🌵

Our volunteer committee members reviewed insights, feedback and emerging priorities from nurse leaders across the country — all with the goal of designing a conference experience that truly meets the needs of today’s nursing leadership community.

The journey to AONL 2027 is just getting started. Join us April 12–15 in Phoenix, and mark your calendar: Call for Abstracts opens July 20.

“The Power of Nurses™ is in our unity, across specialties and settings, and today ANA is proud to welcome licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses into our membership community. LPNs and LVNs are essential to patient care and to the strength of our profession,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association. “We’re building a more inclusive ANA that reflects the full nursing team, resulting in improved outcomes for nurses and the patients and communities we serve.”

Read more: https://ow.ly/f0YF50ZhUZL

Vandalia Health is proud to celebrate Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) week.

Nurse leaders are built through experience and through community.

The AONL Leadership Catalyst Scholars Program gives graduate nursing students the chance to contribute to national priorities while gaining hands-on practicum experience. From workforce strategy to innovation and operations, Scholars work alongside nurse leaders to move the profession forward.

This is a flexible, 8–16 week experience that offers both impact and connection.

Know someone who should apply? Share this opportunity.

🗓 Apply by July 26: https://www.aonl.org/leadership-catalyst-scholar-program

Summer is a time for rest and relaxation. At our spring conference, we heard about the importance of self-care and well-being in the lives of nursing leaders. Taking the time to look after yourself allows you to better care for others and ensure you don't get burnt out. These moments of self-care can look as big as a vacation to a different country or as small as a minute of meditation before you start your day.

To celebrate the warmer weather, we want to hear from you! How do you practice self-care and replenish your energy during the summer months (or even year-round)? What strategies do you use to take a step back from work and recharge?