A Message from WIN's President - June 2026

Dear WIN Members,

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the next President of the Western Institute of Nursing. I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to our members for entrusting me with this opportunity. As we celebrate both Pride Month and Juneteenth, I am especially humbled to become the first African American queer man to serve in this groundbreaking role in our organization's distinguished history. Also, congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates and a very Happy Father’s Day. 

For those I have not yet had the opportunity to meet, I am an Associate Professor at California State University, Fullerton - School of Nursing, where my work focuses on health equity, LGBTQ+ health, HIV prevention, and preparing the next generation of nursing leaders. WIN has been an important part of my professional journey since 2010, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that our organization continues to be a place where ALL nurse scholars can thrive, contribute, and lead.

This milestone is particularly meaningful at a time in our nation's history when diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are increasingly being challenged, diminished, and, in some cases, actively threatened. WIN has long recognized that excellence in nursing research, education, and practice is strengthened by the diversity of voices, perspectives, and experiences represented within our profession. I am proud that we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a welcoming community for all. If you have not yet had an opportunity to do so, I encourage you to read our recently updated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement HERE.  

There are many exciting conversations taking place throughout WIN, from our Board meetings and committees to our Special Interest Groups (SIGs). SIGs, in particular, are rapidly becoming an important avenue for members to stay engaged, build relationships, share expertise, and collaborate year-round. We also have the full listing of SIGs, which are linked via the top menu of the WIN website (see "Special Interest") for you to consider joining, including our newest one, the Filipino-American Nurse Scholars (FANS).  I encourage you to get involved, participate, and help shape the future of our organization.

I am still energized by the tremendous success of our record-breaking conference in San Francisco with over 900 attendees! The enthusiasm, scholarship, innovation, and connections that filled the conference reaffirmed the extraordinary strength of our WIN community. Building on that momentum, I am already looking forward to our 60th Anniversary Conference in Bellevue, Washington (which is very near Seattle) in April 2027. This milestone gathering presents a unique opportunity to celebrate our rich history while charting an ambitious course for the future. My goal is to help create an exceptionally memorable and distinctive conference experience—one that celebrates, inspires, connects, and energizes our members in new ways. Let’s have some fun and party like never before!

Beyond our annual conference, WIN is actively partnering with other national and regional nursing and research organizations to expand opportunities for our members throughout the year. These collaborations are opening doors to support and/or partner with them for important political activities, joint webinars, broader networking opportunities, and meaningful connections with leaders and researchers across the country. We are also exploring innovative possibilities for the future—including the potential for a possible collaborative national research conference that could bring together nursing scholars from multiple regional research organizations.

The future of WIN is bright. Together, we will continue to advance nursing science, support the next generation of nurse researchers, strengthen our commitment to equity and inclusion, and create meaningful opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Thank you for your membership, your leadership, and your commitment to our shared mission. I look forward to serving alongside you.

Warm regards,

Austin Nation, PhD, RN, PHN, NE-BC
President, Western Institute of Nursing