I recently participated as faculty at the Rush University, Chicago, 51st commencement. It is one of those events that I believe is part of my professional persona and I always attend. It is our salute to our students as they advance their professional careers. I would not miss it.
This year's honorary commencement speaker was Lauren Underwood, MSN, MPH, RN, FAAN, who is Illinois' 14th Congressional District representative and was first sworn into Congress on January 3, 2019. Before that she was a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She recounted her journey to becoming a nurse and then how she became interested in health policy. It was her second semester of her freshman year of nursing school when she took a health policy course that helped her realize she could be a healthcare provider and an advocate for health equity by combining both. She stated that, prior to that, she thought public service was an "extracurricular activity." After that course, as a freshman, she realized the impact she could have. At the age of 32 years, she became the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress and since that time has been a leader in helping develop legislation that fosters health equity for all.
It is not at every commencement that I leave feeling inspired and excited about what the speaker had to say. I have sat through many speeches over the years, at various academic institutions, and the takeaway was not nearly as profound as what I heard this time.
Why am I telling this story? Because Congresswoman Underwood went on to speak to the graduates about how they had been prepared to become leaders and the time was now to begin to think about how they, as healthcare professionals, can lead change.
Recently, Nicole Fauteux (2023) discussed underrepresentation of nurses in Congress and even worse in some state legislatures. She quoted Darlene Curley, EdD, RN, FAAN, who herself was once in the Maine legislature. "Nurses have all the skills and experiences to be fantastic legislators. They can set priorities. They can collaborate. They are good listeners, and they can find solutions with other people. Does that sound like a nurse you know? Of course, it does. Nurses could help change the future of healthcare by advocating for programs that would improve access and quality. If that does not interest you, I have another idea. Here goes.
One week after attending graduation, I attended NAON's 43rd annual Congress and had the chance to listen to NAON's leaders, podium and poster presenters, vendors, and colleagues. Listening to both our now Past President, Amber Kujath, and President, Michele Hughes, discuss the successes and challenges that NAON has faced and continues to face. I was inspired by what has been accomplished and the plans for the future. It struck me that it is my responsibility and yours to listen to our NAON leaders and take that step into leadership. What can each of us do to support the success and growth of NAON? What role would be a good fit for each of us? Maybe you could support the journal as a reviewer or as an author. How about considering volunteering for one of NAON's committees? Or, maybe it is by recruiting a couple of new members for NAON. Each of these is a leadership activity. The minute you commit, just a bit more, to your professional organization, you are a leader. Leadership comes in all sizes, shapes, and focus. For me, I am sponsoring some nurses to become a NAON member. Whatever you decide is your leadership path, consider doing it now. We, as nurses, have so much to offer our communities and our organizations.
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