University of Virginia Health System

The PNSO membership is actively engaged in electing their representatives and amending the governance principles of their Bylaws.

• Annual October elections offer the opportunity to elect the President-elect and Nominating Committee members, as well as to ratify proposed amendments to the Bylaws.
• Congress Delegates are elected to two-year terms by the nurses in their practice areas, in a 1:25 ratio of representation. Annual elections are held each summer to select new delegates in areas where terms are ending.

PNSO Elections: 

The PNSO conducts web-based elections, ensuring one vote per person and electronically validating voter status of PNSO members.

CAST YOUR VOTE! In mid-October, the PNSO website home page will link to the online ballot. Ballot access is granted using your HS Login, and only UVA RNs may vote. Absentee ballots are available October 3 for PNSO members who will be out of office during the normal balloting period; contact the PNSO Office for details.

• A link to information about the Candidates for President-Elect and Nominating Committee will be available after September 15th
• Meet the Candidates opportunities are available throughout October, especially at the PNSO Leadership Forum. You may also invite candidates to speak at your practice area's staff meeting. 

The Planning Process for Annual Elections:
Identifying Candidates: The Nominating Committee meets over the summer months and begins the process of identifying the slate of election candidates. Contact the Nominating Committee and submit the Nomination Form if interested in candidacy; a formal Call for Candidates takes place in July. The slate is announced by September 15.

Bylaws Amendments: During the summer months, the Cabinet reviews the Bylaws and discusses potential amendments. Proposed amendments, if any, will be placed on the October ballot. 

The Nominating Committee: 

Nominating Committee members are elected by the PNSO membership annually in October to a two-year term; terms are staggered, so that two members and the chair change each year. This committee identifies potential candidates for the succeeding year's elected offices of President-elect and Nominating Committee, as well as offering a list of potential Nursing Cabinet appointees for the Executive Committee's consideration. Thus, UVA nurses' choices for Nominating Committee in turn directly affect their future representation.

2009 Chair: Walter Mason (per Bylaws, the Chair is Past-President of the PNSO)

2009 Elected Members: (per Bylaws, there are 4 members)

• Paula Darradji & Terri Moore (1st year of 2-year terms) 
• Nicole Henley & Priscilla Merrill (2nd year of 2-year terms)

Additional Information and Resources:

The PNSO Bylaws and Operational Guidelines - Several sections of the PNSO Bylaws specifically govern the nominations and elections process; additional aspects are defined by the Operational Guidelines.

Nomination Form for PNSO Office - If interested in candidacy, please fill out this form and submit it to the Nominating Committee in care of the PNSO Support Office, Box 800135, McKim Hall Rm 1055. Refer to Operational Guideline 2 for further details.