Kathleen A. Knafl, PhD, FAAN is Co-chair 12th International Family Nursing Conference, Treasurer Elect International Family Nursing Association, Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
Formally incorporated in 2009, the International Family Nursing Association (IFNA), began as an group of international nurses who have met periodically since their first international meeting held at the University of Calgary in 1988. Remarkably, despite the absence of a formal organization, several hundred family nurses have convened ten times in six different countries prior to formalizing the association. We will be convening again August 18-21 in Odense Denmark. Over 450 family nurses will be attending the conference.
IFNA is a wonderful resource and support for any nurse whose work, be it practice, education, or research, intersects with families. Please visit our website to learn more. Please visit our website at http://internationalfamilynursing.org/
A few highlights of why nurses participate in this organization include:
- IFNA is a global community of nurse scholars and practitioners from 35 countries who care about the health of families;
- IFNA members are dedicated to the creation and exchange of NEW theory, research, practice, education, and policy about families and the nursing of families;
- IFNA members have unprecedented opportunities for collaboration with colleagues around the world who share a passion for family nursing research, practice, education, and theory;
- Social networking opportunities through the IFNA website and Twitter provide members with an opportunity to communicate directly with one another, share ideas and resources, and learn from each other;
- Bi-annual international meetings provide opportunities for networking and exchanging new knowledge;
- New learning modalities such as webinars allow members to access expertise and consultation in family nursing research, practice, and education.