Call for Nominations for Elected Positions 

By: Kathy Van Allen, MSN, RN, CPN 

Each year, SPN announces a call for nominations, inviting eligible candidates to express their interest in running for elected leadership positions. We encourage all SPN members to explore these opportunities and consider taking the next step in professional engagement at the national level. Serving in a leadership role with SPN provides a unique chance to expand your influence, enhance your professional credibility, develop leadership skills, and connect with key decision-makers in the industry. 

For all elected positions within SPN, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

1. Active SPN membership for at least one full year immediately before the call for nominations. 

2. Has not served in an SPN Board of Directors position for more than two consecutive terms or a total of six consecutive years. 

3. Must be able and willing to commit the necessary time and resources to serve effectively. 

4. Actively engaged in and/or has special knowledge related to pediatric nursing.  

5. Participates in pediatric nursing-related activities at a local and/or national level.  

The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for the election this fall for the following elected positions, whose terms will begin in April 2026.  

• Treasurer (3-year term): Monitors the financial status of the organization and reports on the budget to the President and Board. Serves on the Executive Board and collaborates closely with the SPN management team, external auditors, and investment advisors. Requires an average commitment of two to four hours per month.  

• Director (3-year term): Seeking candidates for two director positions to represent the general membership’s interests and concerns. The average commitment is two hours per month. Additional qualifications for the two positions are listed below.

• Clinical Practice Director: Primary role (>50%) must be in the clinical setting, as a direct patient care provider. The Clinical Practice Director will represent SPN members who work at the bedside to represent the perspectives of direct care clinicians at the board level.  

• Early Career Director: Must have less than five years of clinical practice experience when starting their term. Represents SPN Members who are starting their professional nursing career to represent the perspectives and needs of early career nurses at the board level.  

• Nominating Committee (2-year term): Seeking candidates for two positions. Members will recruit and interview potential candidates for elected positions, review candidate application packets, and finalize the slate of candidates for the election. With the timing of the call for nominations, the bulk of the committee’s work is performed between July and October. Members spend an average of two to three hours during these months. 

We encourage you to explore opportunities for national engagement with SPN by considering one of these elected positions. Taking this next step in your career will allow you to contribute to the future of SPN and pediatric nursing.  

For questions or more information about these elected positions, please contact one of the Nominating Committee members.  

• Chair: Kathy Van Allen, MSN, RN, CPN – [email protected] 

• Committee Members: 

• Michele Mendes, PhD, RN, CPN – [email protected] 

• Laura Kubin, PhD, RN, CPN, CHES, CNE – [email protected] 

• Priya Meyer, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, PCNS-BC – [email protected] 

• Drea Correia, PhD, MSN, RN, PHN, CPN, CNL, NPD-BC – [email protected] 

• Samantha Miller, MSN, RN, CPN, NPD-BC – [email protected]