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As we commence a new-year it is useful to reflect on our last. And as we make our usual new-year promises to ourselves on a personal level to take hold of the aspects of our life we want to improve, we can do the same for the other roles we take on. We almost do this as a quick year-in-reflection for ourselves, before we decide what needs to improve for the new-year. There begins our new-year resolutions.

One of these roles we take on is that related to our professional life. This of course encompasses our role in the College of Emergency Nursing (CENA). Whether this role be as Executive Director, or a member of the Board, a State Branch Committee Member, or a Member of CENA, it is useful to reflect on all of these aspects, and explore what we did well and not so well during 2007. It is reasonable to say that CENA has progressed well over 2007. We have seen our most successful conference with five hundred (500) delegates. The program was excellent and encompassed papers on research, clinical, education, professional, workforce and political aspects of our practice, However as Ramon Shaban has highlighted in his Editorial, it was the wonderful camaraderie that was evident that made the conference the success it was. The program, the venue, the catering, the presentations, the presenters and of course the organising committee were high class and set the agenda for success, however it was the spirit of community and camaraderie that made it special. This is certainly something that CENA wants to foster for the future. This is a step in the right direction.

Recruitment and retention is something with which we all struggle in whatever sector that we refer. Membership to both CENA and the AENJ is vital to success and true viability, and is the platform on which we can build our visibility and our voice. Our CENA membership has been maintained, with a slight increase over the year. This is something we all need to focus on to increase this number during the coming year. Each member receives a copy of the AENJ, and individual members of associations affiliated with CENA can purchase copies of the AENJ at an affiliated rate. So our affiliation with other colleges and associations will assist in increasing this membership and promoting CENA, and highlighting the importance of our role in emergency healthcare decision making, and will also increase the uptake of the AENJ. The affiliation with a number of like minded colleges was finalised during this year, so that is a positive move for our members and for promoting CENA more widely. CENA is now affiliated with the Royal College of Nursing Australia (RCNA), the College of Nursing (CON), Malta Emergency Nurses Association, and has a Memorandum of Understanding with Council of Remote Area Nurses (CRANA). The affiliation with the College of Emergency Nursing New Zealand is currently being explored. Our affiliation partners are likely to increase in 2008. This is good for our members and our membership benefits, and to link into how others are planning for the future, so another positive tick in the right direction.

The AENJ is so important in this, as this is our professional and political voice, which extends to the wider sector and with further affiliations, more consistently broadens our horizons nationally and internationally. This is only achieved if we can encourage members and non-members to publish in the AENJ. So it is up to each of you to take this as a challenge to contribute to the growth of the AENJ and hence our professional and political future in emergency healthcare. There are so many stories that need to be told. Everyday we struggle with the ethical dilemmas that encompass our work, the individual patient situations which make great case studies that we all like to read. There are so many choices for publication to suit the wider audience and many reasons to publish your story. So if you have not published before, then make that your 2008 new-year resolution challenge in your professional life. There is so much help available to publish for the first time. The second time is so much easier then. For all those who have said I really want to publish: here is your opportunity and your challenge. We can promote the image of nursing and emergency nursing that we want to have out there, about which we want the wider population to know.

The AENJ is in an excellent position as we lead into 2008. It has a solid foundation on which to grow and develop. In the last issue I farewelled and congratulated Toni McCallum Pardey as the Interim Editor-in-Chief and acknowledged the great work Toni has done with the two Associate Editors, Marie Gerdtz and Belinda Donkin-Evers, and those that went before them, in bringing the AENJ to the standard where it is today.

In our first issue for 2008, I am delighted to welcome and congratulate Ramon Shaban, as the Editor-in-Chief of the AENJ. Ramon brings a new leadership to the AENJ and joins our two Associate Editors, Marie and Belinda. Ramon has shared some of his vision for the AENJ in his Editorial, and has invited each of you to be a part of this development and future plans. You will hear more about this during 2008. Ramon has brought an extensive experience in writing and manuscript review of scientific articles for publication, as well as to date, aspects of journal production. Ramon is both a registered nurse and ambulance paramedic with more than a decade of experience in the delivery of emergency healthcare and has an emerging track record in research and publication. He is a Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University and a Visiting Nurse Scholar at Princess Alexandra Hospital. In January 2008, after a well deserved overseas holiday, Ramon will undertake a joint appointment as a Research Fellow with Griffith University and Princess Alexandra Hospital. Ramon's formal educational qualifications are substantial, including two masters degree, namely a Master of Education and a Master of Community Health Practice (Honours Class 1). He is undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy and is on track to complete his doctoral thesis in early 2008. We look forward with excitement to the further development of the AENJ, the next stage in its growth. Congratulations Ramon on your appointment and we look forward to the future and the opportunities this brings.

I will take this opportunity to wish all our members and all our readers the very best during 2008 and hope for all that it will be a wonderful year personally and professional for all of you, bringing you health, happiness and whatever takes your fancy. Take care of yourselves as I am sure it will be no less busy than the last one. Until next time stay safe and well.