AWHONN created the Communities of Interest to provide a forum for
members to network and exchange ideas, The Communities of Interest were
formed to replace the Special Interest Groups and have been created
around a variety of areas such as APRN's Work Environment and
Public/Community Health issues.

On March 10th, 2003, AWHONN will be launching the following three
"communities of interest" (COI):

*   Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs)
*   Work Environment and Professional Issues?
*   Community Health/Public Health

The primary function of a COI is to promote an open exchange ideas and
information and enhance each participant's knowledge base of the subject
area.  AWHONN's COIs represent an opportunity for members to make their
voices heard, network and discuss issues surrounding these three hot
topics.

We welcome you to visit frequently; participation in these COIs is open
to all AWHONN members.  The instructions for accessing the communities
are as follows:

1.  Sign into MY AWHONN on http://www.awhonn.org

2.  Click on "Edit Profile"

3.  Please select the applicable Community of Interest.  For
multiple selections use the ctrl key and click on your selection

4.  Click on save changes and then logout and log back into MY
AWHONN and you will notice the links to the Communities of Interest in
orange in the MY AWHONN box.

5.  Click on a Community and you will be able to view the postings
and post or reply your own comments.

At a "Communities  of Interest brainstorming session during AWHONN's
2002 convention in Boston, the following three members were appointed by
their peers to facilitate discussions in their respective areas of
interest:

*   Patricia Creehan, CMS (APRN group)
*   Teresa L. Anderson, RNC, MSN ( Work environment group)
*   Barbara J. Fritz, RN (Public/Community Health group)

AWHONN extends our sincere thanks to our three moderators for
volunteering their time and expertise.  The following provides more
background about each moderator.

Patricia A. Creehan has been a perinatal nurse for 23 years.   During
that time she has held clinical and academic positions as an educator,
director of nursing, and clinical specialist.  Patricia currently holds
an advanced practice license in Illinois and works full time as a
perinatal clinical nurse specialist, a position she has held for almost
15 years.  Patricia is employed by a community hospital with
approximately 2,000 births per year, and she is responsible for
orientation, staff development, and maintaining standards of care that
are consistent with evidence based practice.

Teresa L. Anderson's emphasis is in high risk obstetrics and education.
Teresa has traveled extensively with her husband's Air Force career and
has taught at both associate degree and baccalaureate levels, and in
staff development.  Teresa has also worked as a clinical nurse
specialist and primary care provider to antepartum obstetrical patients.
She spent three years as a director of maternity services and two years
as a director of childbirth education program.  She is currently a
clinical nurse specialist and Magnet Program Director for Alegent Health
in Omaha, Nebraska.

Barbara J. Fritz has worked as a Public Health Nurse in Alameda County,
Oakland California for eight years.  He has also worked in NICU/Newborn
nursery for 17 years.  After leaving   bedside nursing, Barbara worked
as PHN case manager at the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention
Program, where she worked on developing a standardized care plan for
children with lead poisoning.  Barbara is currently working in an
intensive home visiting program for high-risk newborns and their
families, "Special Start."