Laura M. Criddle, RN, PhD(c), MS, CEN, CCRN, CCNS, FAEN
2007-2008 Member at Large

Demographics Ms. Laura M. Criddle is a part-time Clinical Nurse Specialist at Premier Jets/Lifeguard Air Ambulance in Portland, Oregon as well as a part-time Doctoral student. Ms. Criddle is a member of the Oregon State Council. Personal Statement - Why I Want to Serve and What I Would Like to Contribute While Serving as Chairperson-Elect It was an honor to be invited to be among the 2006 class of fellows. This is a group with tremendous potential, and I look forward to contributing to and shaping our Academy’s future.

Position Statement - Personal Perspectives and Strategies on How the Academy of Emergency Nursing Can Help Advance the Profession of Emergency Nursing
At this year’s induction ceremony, as I looked around the room and at the roster of last year’s fellows, I was struck by the leadership, knowledge, expertise, and power represented there. I don’t know if they ever knew, but these are the same people who have been my nurse heroes.

I first learned about emergency care by reading Sue Sheehy’s yellow-jacketed book while cramming for the CEN exam. A few years later I was doing the same with Renee Holleran’s book. Recently, I had to laugh when I saw a young ED nurse clutching her purple procedure manual like it was the gospel according to St. Jean. Gail Lenehan’s enthusiastic encouragement is what made me think I could actually publish an article. And who would have believed she’d actually talk to me! Sue Hoyt was one of those “really important nurses” back when I was just a new little nursling joining California ENA. From the powerful examples of Kathy Robinson, Benny Marett, Mary Jagim, and all the other past presidents, I glimpsed what it takes to be a nurse leader. And such masters as Frank Cole, Vicki Patrick, and Harriet Hawkins, showed me what it took to be a great teacher.

Over the years, I’ve had a chance to meet most of the current Academy members and have come to realize that “hero” is the last word they’d choose to describe themselves. But like it or not, that’s how I saw these nurses, and I know I’m not the only one. You can laugh, but today’s Academy Fellows played an important role in my professional development; they were the professionals I wanted to be.

There are many nurses out there in our ENA community who look up to Academy members who could benefit, as I did, from the wisdom and examples you all have to share. I would like to see the Academy become a place where ENA members can meet their “heroes”, make those connections, and see how very real, approachable, and human the Fellows are. At our September meeting we discussed ways to make our group active and relevant. I would propose that we, as an Academy, move forward to examine ways to make our “brain trust” accessible to the membership, through electronic means, an annual meeting meet-and-greet, or some other forum. Because, what greater legacy could we leave to ENA than inspiring the next generation?

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