It's an exciting time to be a nurse leader. I know that some people use other words to describe the next few years. I've heard the adjectives challenging, daunting, and even harrowing from a few colleagues. I've heard that the pace and magnitude of change is unprecedented and maybe unsustainable. But, as a nurse executive who has been in practice for decades, I can't think of a better descriptor than exciting.
I'm excited because I believe that a transformation is about to occur, which will improve the lives and health of our communities. I believe we will finally allocate appropriate resources toward keeping people well while we help others manage their chronic health conditions. I think we are on the verge of artificial intelligence (as in IBM's Watson) and technology, which will improve timely and accurate diagnoses, along with the likelihood that the most appropriate treatments will be provided to each individual. I know we are on the path to developing person centered, patient-centric health care systems, which include the infrastructures for better coordination through the provision of a full continuum of care. I am also certain that the opportunities for nurses, both as caregivers and leaders are unlimited.
I'm excited. As a system chief nursing officer, I am also realistic. I'm aware that none of the changes that will transform health care will happen without revolutionary change in how health care providers are incentivized. I know that we are still mostly paid to treat (and sometimes overtreat) patients when they are sick. We are not yet widely rewarded for keeping them well. I also know that there are costs to creating healthier populations, just as there are costs to curing (or attempting to cure) sickness. Even in exciting times, costs must be managed so that health care can be affordable for all.
This edition is about managing the costs of care in our current systems. Guest editor, Roy Simpson, has compiled a collection of articles by colleagues who are dedicated to exploring and implementing new ways to manage costs so that health care systems will have the resources they need to fund the transformation that will be the next era of health care. Of course, every one of them is dedicated to maintaining quality care today and tomorrow.
As a pioneer in Nursing informatics, Roy, currently the Vice President, Nursing, for the Cerner Corporation, is uniquely qualified to edit this particular journal. He understands transformation, change, and the courage it takes to be a forerunner in the journey to tomorrow while managing in a resource constrained infrastructure, which is not yet fiscally configured for the future. He also understands the need to continue to grow in our profession and to keep up with change, having just completed his DNP while serving as the executive nurse leader of a national, innovative company.
Speaking of courage and transformation, I can't end my first editorial as NAQ's second Editor-in-Chief without expressing gratitude to our new Editor-in-Chief Emerita, Barbara Brown, EdD, RN, CNAA, FNAP, FAAN. In addition to founding NAQ, she has been a lifelong champion for our profession and nurse executives. She has also been a personal mentor to me and countless others. Thank you, Barbara. I am humbled and honored to inherit your legacy.
-Kathleen D. Sanford, DBA, RN, CENP,
FACHE
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing
Officer
Catholic Health Initiatives, Englewood,
Colorado
Editor in Chief
Nursing Administration Quarterly