President's Blog

Posted about 6 years ago by Jenny Painter

Hello NC ENA Members! I am so excited to be serving as your president for NC ENA Council this year! I don't know about you but 2017 was quite a stressful year for me so I am looking forward to helping us grow as a state, learning together, supporting and recognizing our membership and staying safe!

Let me tell you a little about myself: I live in Catawba with my husband Brian, our two dogs Kadie Ann & Sam and our cat, Conway Kitty. I am a charge nurse at Wake Forest Baptist Health in the Adult ED. I began working there in 2013, as I had always wanted to work at a trauma center and realized that I needed to do it now while I could still walk! I graduated with my ADN in 1993 and began my career at a rural hospital where I learned so much and learned to appreciate the teamwork in providing patient care. There are some excellent medical and nursing professionals in small hospitals, and they are needed in our rural communities. One of my goals is to reach out to these rural hospitals and see how we may help them with their educational needs. I have also worked home health, as a nurse manager, nurse administrator of a non-profit clinic and of course, my love, emergency nursing!

I have been involved with the ENA on a chapter and state level since 2009 and on a national level since 2014. I have served on the ENA Wellness committee both as chairperson and member, the ENA Education committee for the past two years and I was appointed to the ENA Awards committee for 2018-2019.

I realize that communication has been a struggle so I plan to use Facebook, Instagram in addition to a president's blog to update the membership on what is happening within our great state.

The 2018 NC ENA board will act as liaisons for the chapters, similar to how national ENA has board liaisons. Each board member will be assigned chapters and will be available to you to ask questions, attend meetings and guide the chapter leaders with any needs they may have. Our board is already working to update and revise our policies and procedures.

I realize that NC ENA will have a full plate of activities this year and I look forward to recognizing those who are dedicated to the organization. I want to thank you in advance because with all of your help, we will accomplish all our goals.

I can be reached and will respond by e-mail and Facebook. I will be happy to give you my cell number if you email or message me.

Karen Drum, NC ENA President


Sam and Kadie Ann	My Dad and I	Conway Kitty