Chief Nurse Blog: Nursing Matters June 2022
The month's blog will recognize nursing students as they transition to graduates.
I had the tremendous privilege to participate in two commencements and deliver keynote interventions. First with Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and then joining the Centennial College, School of Community Health Studies, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
To the nursing classes of 2022, on this milestone we celebrate and applaud your significant accomplishments during unprecedented challenges and complexities.
To the professors, preceptors, and mentors, thank you for your enthusiasm and investments of time and knowledge into our nursing profession.
In 2022, the theme for IND celebrated May 12th is Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health.
The global reach, scale and scope of nursing dedication is unprecedented and deserving of deep respect for the valued contributions from nearly 28 million nurses globally. Nurses continue to deliver nursing services across diverse practice settings and sectors - from direct front line care delivery at the bedside, managing and leading, advocating and representing in boardrooms, teaching, mentoring in health system classrooms, and influencing as bureaucrats and through associations to advance meaningful policy.
Nurses advocate for their patients around the world. They also have the right to advocate for themselves professionally. Fundamental respect for safe work environments, decent working conditions, and fair compensation is paramount.
Investing in nursing education, jobs and leadership is investing in health, including our direly valued and needed health care workforce for service delivery.
It is key to optimize professional competence and confidence. It is important to continue to increase the depth and breadth of your knowledge. Matching your confidence is equally important as you advance your practice ready realities.
Your physical and psychological health and wellbeing are equally important. We need to care about the careers!
Early on in your career, find a mentor, even a few of them. Reach out to your interprofessional teams.
While you do not need to be in a formal leadership role, you do need to be a leader throughout your career.
Be intentional, deliberate, and purposeful about balancing professional intelligence with your emotional intelligence. Challenge the status quo, break down barriers, in whatever way that looks for the population you serve.
You will benefit from knowing how to navigate across the entire health system. We tend to focus and think about what is happening in your local area. Expand to think more broadly — regional, national and global to advance primary health care and sustainable development goals for universal health.
Prioritize nursing practice to maximize safety and quality. Embed compassion, courage, and passion as change agents for rebuilding health and social care fit for purpose, inclusive, and empowered for global health and the nursing profession.
Welcome graduate nursing colleagues. Our future looks bright in your hands.
You hold the enduring trust of the public. You are the foundation and professional builders for our nursing future. Wishing you all the best in your impactful and influential nursing career trajectories!
Be joyous nursing champions, innovate, inspire, be brave and bold as thought leaders as you navigate an exciting nursing future!
Yours in Nursing and Health,
ICN Chief Nurse Michelle Acorn, DNP, NP PHC/Adult, CGNC, FCAN, FAAN