July 9th Annual Picnic
Posted August 2008

Gerry and Audrey shooting the breeze.

Our annual picnic (photos) was held on July 9 and was a wonderful time of networking and catching up with all the DD business and social affairs of the day!  Delicious roast beef and salmon were again generously donated by Sam Enloe of Enloe Drugs, a faithful and consistent supporter of DD nursing. 

Marian,  Kathy, Astrud, and Sandy chatting,  about something professional, no doubt.

Thanks to Kathy Brown for pursuing this, and always making those valuable contacts, in Springfield, in the field, at the National organization and with our pharmaceutical friends.  We also enjoyed many ethnic and homemade dishes to form an awesome pot luck.  We nurses do love to eat! 

The group of us dedicated Northern Illinois Developmental Disabilities Nurses.

Thanks too, to Nanette for hosting us again in her lovely yard.  It was a beautiful evening, and everyone went home with gifts and handouts for their facilities.  See you in September ! (reminder, one week later, Sept. 10, due to Labor Day holiday).

Here are the dates for our next meetings:   Sept. 10 (one week later, due to Holiday) ,  Nov. 5 and Jan. 7. 

Conference Report
Posted July 2008

The 16th National DD Conference took place June 7-10, 2008 at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  This year’s title was “Collaborating for Excellence in Education”.  Over 600 nurses were in attendance from around the nation and Canada. 

Northern Illinois was well represented by its membership and officers (minus Carolyn-we missed you)! 

Dynamic speakers presented clinically current talks on Autism, Genetics, Epilepsy, Aging, Neurological Complication, Emergency Preparedness, Infection Control to name a few.  There were also sessions on the spirit of nursing, and developing your skills in public speaking, writing, and leadership.  Over 20 nurses sat for the certification test!  A record number of 45 vendors were set up to showcase their services and products!

The 4-diamond resort hotel offered luxurious accommodations in a beautifully wooded landscape.   On their free time nurses could enjoy top of the line entertainment, over 30 different restaurants, beautiful pool and spa, nightlife, shops, golf and your pick of several casinos. 

This was our president’s 2nd conference as VP of National and we are so proud-Go Kath!

Kathy had the honor of presenting Dennis Schreiber & Wes Matthias, Abbott Labs Representatives, an award in recognition of their long standing partnership and support of DDNA.

One of our own (Sandy Ott) presented at this year’s conference on Infection Control.  Her mission was to inspire nurses to take ownership of this arena of nursing in the DD settings with practical application and by looking at our history, today’s challenges, and future outlooks.

See pictures of these highlights HERE!

On behalf of all DD nurses in Northern Illinois we’d like to thank Mary Alice Willis, Executive Director of DDNA and the Board Members for an outstanding 2008 conference!

2008 NIDDNN Membership
Posted March 2008

Below are links to download the application for for your 2008 membership to the Northern Illinois Developmental Disabilities Nursing Network (NIDDNN).

Starting next month, there will be a separate mailing list for invitations to educational dinners and other special functions, consisting of members only. $25 is all you pay for the entire year... January to December. This is a bargain under any circumstances.

Please remember that NIDDNN membership is separate from National DDNA membership.

Benefits of membership:
         * Chance to apply for scholarships to local and national conferences!
         * Invitations to educational dinners and programs!
         * Network with other nurses who struggle with the same challenges that you do!

Apply today! Click on either of the links to download.

Adobe PDF version
Microsoft Word Version

13th Anniversary of NIDDNN
Posted September 2007

13 years ago a determined group of Developmental Disabilities Nurses got together to form an official network. This small group was dedicated to influencing the world, the state, the industry that the DD specialty was indeed a unique specialty, that deserves respect, education, a voice, and the chance to network and learn from others in the same profession. This first meeting was held at Little City in Palatine, and many of the same founding members are still active today. Kathy Brown was elected President then and remains so in 2007! She has been influential in our formation and growth over these 13 years.

Click here to view pictures from the event

Rule 116 - Administration of Medication in Community Settings
Posted March 2007

Please read the documentation on Rule 116, and make sure that you are familiar with it. This affects all of us as DD Nurses.

Administrative Rule 116 - Administration of Medication in Community Settings

Additional Information
Medication Administration Q & A