About Us

Mission
Empower and advocate for nurse leaders in Illinois through education, collaboration, and innovation

Vision
To be the leading voice and catalyst for transformative leadership in nursing, advancing the health and well-being of communities throughout Illinois
IONL Strategic Plan
Leadership
A group of people stand in front of a screen displaying the Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders logo. The group appears to be attending a conference or event.

Core Values: I-LEAD

Innovation

We foster and inspire one’s passion for continuous improvement where we encourage curiosity, embrace and support creativity, and celebrate new ideas.

Leadership

We identify and provide resources and educational opportunities to support nurse leaders to promote and attain a positive, safe and healthful practice environment. We uphold integrity in all facets of the nurse leader role.

Excellence

We will work as a team to best serve nurse leaders and promote innovation in providing the highest-quality educational programming. We will devote ourselves to continuously improving in everything we do.

Advocacy

We advocate for the importance of timely and quality information, and leverage the power of IONL membership to raise the voice of nursing leadership in state and national health policy-related issues.

Diversity

We respect and appreciate differences among individuals and embrace an environment where every voice is welcome, heard and respected.

About Us

The Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders’ (IONL) historical formation dates back to 1977 when its function was to unify and promote nurse executive practice. Since the 70s, the organization evolved to broaden its scope and focus to nurses in various leadership positions.
 
IONL provides direction for achievement of excellence in nursing leadership. It promotes professional development, networking, research and innovation for the advancement of nursing practice. IONL encourages development of care delivery systems that are forthright and visionary. The IONL develops strategic initiatives in the area of executive management expertise in health care systems.
 
Members have an opportunity to develop strategic relationships with executives, educators, consultants, clinical experts, and organization leaders. Exposure to and opportunity for networking with leaders who practice across the continuum, plus work in all aspects of health care are among the many rewards of membership. Educational opportunities abound at both the regional and statewide level. Frequent regional meetings, semi-annual statewide educational sessions supply the foundation with cutting edge information. Scholarships for many of the educational programs are offered at the state and regional level.