1355-1841/$ -doi:10.1016/j.

Journal of Neonatal Nursing (2010) 16, 1e2

www.elsevier.com/jneo

EDITORIAL

What’s in it for me? e A Lot!

Back in the early part of November we allpacked up and came home after the annual NNAconference in Derby. We were all tired andexhausted as we said our goodbyes, but containedwithin was a deep sense of elevation, inspiration,motivation, whatever you like to call it. That’swhat conferences do to you, good ones at least andthis was an excellent conference. Just talking topeople you have never met before and seeming toknow them as if they were long lost friends. As youstand hovering over the exhibitors’ stands, eatingpastries that are only permissible to indulge ondays like this, experiences are shared about whodoes what and where, who is working where and ofcourse the infamous I know you from somewhere,but they never tell you where. For variety therewere the lectures and certainly they were a bril-liant contribution, just pitched right, interactiveand fascinating. So why didn’t more of ourmembers come along to the day?

Certainly it’s getting harder these days withlessening financial support, time off work and theneed to travel, but we as neonatal nurses mustrecognise that for our essential well being asa national force of neonatal nurses, this day isa must on the annual calendar. It’s different fromother conferences as we all share the same values

see front matter ª 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd onjnn.2009.12.001

as part of the Association and it’s the only one timethat we can all meet together, and regenerateourselves for the next twelve months. Perhaps weshould all be a little more positive and own ourAssociation, make a noise about it and be proud tobe part of a national group. Surely, only neonatalnurses should be speaking for neonatal nursing andnow more than ever we need to work cohesively tokeep the voice of neonatal nursing alive, particu-larly in the wake of the recent governmentresponse to the taskforce. No major changes, noforeseeable real improvements or substantialcommitments, all wrapped up in a rather lukewarmreport that seems to hide behind the apparentlymore significant events of the MP’s expenses.

Once again this year we have put together anannual report for you to see exactly what we havebeen doing and trying to achieve over this lastyear. We haven’t stopped and there is more tocome. That’s why there is plenty in it for you e anawful lot for a comparatively small membershipfee, just over £3 a month.

Dee BeresfordNeonatal Nurses Association, Nottingham,

United KingdomE-mail address: deeberesford@btinternet.com

Available online 22 December 2009

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

behalf of Neonatal Nurses Association.