Sylvia Bond Nursing Society Navicent Health

Save the dates of this year's SBNS events on your calendar. Please note that dates and venues are subject to change.

Nursing Excellence: “What Makes the Difference”

Our past speakers all have dynamic personalities and a wealth of knowledge to share. They have been an integral part of shaping the direction of both academic and clinical nursing over the past thirty years in Central Georgia.

Dr. Cheryl Kish and Pat Brown, MSN are both retired educators. Dr. Kish is the retired Associate Dean College of Health Sciences and Director of the School of Nursing at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville and Mrs. Brown was the Chair of Nursing and Health Science at Gordon College for many years.

They have shared their observations/experiences about “Nursing Excellence-What Makes the Difference?” addressing such topics as “how do we know when we see excellence?” and “how do we measure excellence?” They will provide us insight into what has changed and what has stayed the same as the nursing profession has grown.

Lavonne Harn, MSN is a retired Administrator from the Medical Center of Central Georgia. She is well known in Central Georgia for her humorous and uplifting presentations. Her topic covered the important role of mentors in the enhancement of your professional development. The title of her presentation is “Don't Judge a Book by its Cover.”

These three women have inspired, enriched, and widened our perspective on nursing and life. Future events are going to be energizing, thought provoking and inspiring.

SBNS Certification Assistance

Purpose: To provide certification assistance for RNs practicing in central Georgia. Nurses with certifications obtained from national certifying agencies such as American Nurses Association, American Association for Critical Care Nurses, and other national professional organizations, provide a higher quality of patient care. SBNS strives to reduce one of the key barriers to certification; the cost of the exam with a focus on achievement of Magnet designation.

Eligibility: RNs who meet the following criteria:

  • Current Georgia license
  • Provide direct patient care the majority of care
  • CGHS RN's that reside in Central Georgia (i.e., defined as Bibb County and surrounding contiguous counties)
  • Eligible for national certification relevant to current job
  • 3 year membership of SBNS (can join at the time of application)

Certification Assistance Offered: Certification exam fees may be partially funded or paid in full. Review courses, CEU expenses, exam re-takes and membership in professional organizations are NOT compensable by SBNS as they are the responsibility of the applicant.

Application Requirements:

  • Applicant must be a current member of SBNS.
  • Must submit completed application form, as well as a copy of professional membership, if applicable.
  • Must agree to participate in two of the following:
  • Mentor another nurse to take certification exam
  • Participate in SBNS fund raising task force
  • Participate in Leadership development symposium planning
  • Participate in Society membership recruitment
  • Completed copy of certification/ re-certification application received at least 4 WEEKS in advance of the certification application deadline. (MAIL TO: Sylvia Bond Nursing Society, Atrium Health Navicent Peyton Anderson Health Education Center, 877 Hemlock Street, HB 105, Macon, GA 31201)
  • Upon submission of all required materials, applicant will be contacted within one week of SBNS decision. If approved, applicant will be notified when the application and payment have been mailed to national certifying body.
  • Applicants must inform SBNS of any changes in contact information (address or name change), as well as the results of the certification examination.