Candidate for President-Elect
Kristin Larson, MSN, AGNP-BC, CNN
Adjunct Professor with Roseman University
Job Position and Professional Responsibilities:
As a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner, I have had multiple roles from rounding in dialysis units, developing Kristin M. Larson, RN, MSN, LLC, educator in the healthcare industry, and delivery of CKD care as a House Calls NP. My current role is an Adjunct Professor with Roseman University and I completed my first year of teaching in June 2024. For students, most of whom come into college set on their nursing specialty of choice, promoting nephrology nursing, and exposing them to the specialty, has been rewarding. The students love the rotation, attend local meetings, and have even joined ANNA!
Describe your qualifications for this role, and include past ANNA leadership positions:
Twenty-three years as a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner has continuously educated me in the evolving science of kidney disease, but it is the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA), and my colleagues within the organization, who have mentored and nurtured me in the art of nephrology nursing. After my term as National Secretary from 2022 to 2024, I sought rest and time to explore a new focus on how the organization can redefine itself and thrive. Without innovative change, I fear ANNA will not remain the premiere leader in nephrology nursing education. My first change was actively recruiting student nurses to the organization, which a team and I were able to do this year at the National Student Nurses Association. In the summer of 2024, I participated in recruiting Advance Practice Registered Nurses to ANNA. These two untapped areas for potential members expand the definition of a "Nephrology Nurse" and are needed as we grow our membership.
Preparation for the role of president has evolved over two decades of leadership. Within the past ten years, I have been the Chairperson of the Nominations Committee, Co-Chair of the New-To Nephrology Task Force, National Secretary, and now the Chair of the Membership Committee. I have held numerous positions within my local chapter, Intermountain #516. Along with our incoming president, Faith Lynch, I am ready to lead ANNA.
Describe your role in three ANNA projects/activities which support(ed) ANNA’s mission, goals, and objectives:
Leadership
House of ANNA Board of Directors: National Secretary (2022-2024): Along with assistance from the National Office, I reviewed over 200 policies, procedures, and role descriptions. Part of the review included updating verbiage to reflect current DEI standards. Committees and SPNs were able to add comments to the documents that impact the success of their work. To streamline the review process, there is now a Bylaws and Policy Committee that will require less time and improve efficiency.
Education
Membership Committee Chair (2024): This new committee is a result of my work with student nurses and encouraging them to join ANNA as a free virtual member. Along with the current membership committee that represents a diverse practice group, we will deliver mentoring to any of the students who wish to learn more about nephrology nursing. In these early phases of the membership committee, my goal is to expand the membership of student nurses and bring them into the field of nephrology.
New to Nephrology Nursing Task Force (2019 to 2021): The recruitment of young and new to nephrology nurses is part of the diversity fabric and direction of ANNA. This task force, that I co-chaired, provided scholarships for virtual attendance to the national meetings and our student membership. The Board of Directors also added a non-voting position for a member with less than 5 years of nephrology experience. The work of this task force became the start of the Membership Committee.