I begin this editorial with heartfelt gratitude toward my nursing professional development (NPD) colleagues-those who teach, inspire, lead, and work beside me and those who will continue in this wonderful specialty far into the future. I am honored to represent NPD practitioners, as I accept the baton from the incomparable Dr. Patsy Maloney, the outgoing President of the Association of Nursing Professional Development (ANPD). Patsy exemplifies the very best of NPD practitioners. She is a fearless leader; a lifelong teacher and learner; and a fair-minded, curious, and compassionate colleague. Her experienced hand and bold spirit have guided us through an exciting time of growth and, recently, more turbulent times, as the world seems to be upside down in many ways. Her vision and commitment to leading from a core values perspective have not only kept us moving but also enabled us to thrive as an association.
Of course, Patsy has not achieved these outcomes singlehandedly. ANPD's NPD team, led by Dr. Mary Harper, and ANPD's association management and staff teams, with Executive Director Kaye Englebrecht at the helm, work collaboratively with the ANPD Board of Directors to execute the mission of ANPD for its members and partners. The mission is to advance quality health care by defining and promoting NPD practice. Never has the mission been more important than in the last few months. Nurses and healthcare providers everywhere have been tested beyond anything we could have imagined, and NPD practitioners across the country were there to support those on the front lines of COVID-19 in acute care hospitals, ambulatory and long-term care settings, communities, pop-up testing centers, parking lots, and anywhere else they were needed. In many cases, NPD practitioners assumed dual roles, both supporting caregivers and providing care to others. I am proud of their efforts and the difference NPD practitioners make to care teams everywhere. As we continue to prioritize the need to advocate for our specialty, these contributions speak loudly.
As individuals and as a nation, we are facing challenges and decisions that have major impacts on our lives, our families, and our work. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our economic, social, educational, religious, and healthcare systems. We do not yet know the extent or duration of these changes, though, like the protesters, allies, and others we see on news outlets each day, values are often at issue. National politics are center stage as a presidential election draws near in a country that is divided across political and demographic sectors. Values will undoubtedly play a role in the outcome here as well.
We have learned so much so quickly in 2020, and the year is not over! Much of what we have learned, from using virtual teaching strategies to deploying staff across unfamiliar clinical specialties to keeping thousands and thousands of patients, staff, and visitors safe and connected, were must-dos. We have also learned a whole new meaning of work-life balance as families have completely reinvented their daily routines. We have learned some things about ourselves in terms of our strengths, skills, and our blind spots. We are learning where we can look for help, for hope, and for trustworthy information. We will continue to look inward as well as outward in the coming months to learn even more about our biases, triggers, and assumptions.
As a specialty, NPD is powerful and expanding in depth and breadth. As an association, ANPD is similarly strong and growing. We welcome new Board Members, Treasurer Rachael Frija and Director Cathleen Opperman. Along with President Patsy Maloney, we thank outgoing Treasurer Mary Golway and Director Launette Woolforde for their commitment and lasting contributions to ANPD. We are looking forward to a newly revised NPD Scope and Standards in the upcoming year to guide our practice, as well as a brand new strategic plan to inform our work, meet members' needs, and uphold our mission, vision, and values. ANPD committees are hard at work developing new products, services, and education offerings and planning exciting conventions for 2021 and beyond. Changing times bring new ideas, different perspectives, and renewed energies, which should be welcomed and encouraged lest they are squandered or lost. I am excited to learn along with each of you and am committed to helping NPD practitioners be heard, recognized, and valued for the extraordinary work they do.
Thank you to the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development Editor Dr. Kathleen Burke for this guest editorial opportunity as we look ahead to what comes next.