Some 4000 years ago, ancient Babylonians made promises to the Gods to repay their debts or return what they had borrowed in the hopes of a yielding successful crops for the year, thus laying down the groundwork for what us modern-day folks refer to as "New Year's Resolutions." Typical 21st century resolutions consist of bettering our physical health, such as losing weight, developing healthier eating habits, or exercising more. Then there's the bettering of our mental health, such as resolving to stop procrastinating, stop arriving late to meetings or appointments, setting personal or professional goals, or connecting more with family and friends. Making any lifestyle changes or breaking bad habits can be a challenge at any time of year, yet something about the start of a new year, a fresh slate with 365 brand-new days, makes any resolution seem possible.
While it may be easy to make a resolution, it can be far more difficult to keep it, especially since we are still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, in the midst of this uncertainty, nurses (and health care workers at all levels) continue to persevere and provide the best possible care for their patients. We forge ahead, seek better solutions, and look toward a new year full of promise, and, hopefully, a COVID-19 vaccine. The resolutions in our "work lives" typically include practice improvement, policy change, a promotion, and professional development. INS is excited to help you set and attain your goals.
The year 2021 is particularly meaningful for INS as we release our revised edition of the Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. A fervent endeavor that started as soon as the 2016 edition dropped, we resolved 5 years ago to continuously compile and study the newest evidence and research available. Since infusion therapy and vascular access management are ubiquitous in all care settings, the published evidence can justify existing practice or lead to practice changes. This edition addresses crisis standards of care, that is, strategies to deal with a crisis such as a pandemic when the goal is to do the greatest good for the most people-implementing the best alternative practices to ensure safe care to the patient and protection for the clinician. Incorporating the Standards into your organization or clinical practice is a resolution that I believe we can keep all year long. In fact, INS will be offering a 2-day virtual symposium in February that will highlight changes in the Standards that will impact clinical practice. Visit http://INS1.org for more detailed information.
This year INS will also release 5 new Policy and Procedure companion books to the Standards. Separated into 5 different care settings/populations: Acute Care, Neonate to Adolescent, Older Adult, Ambulatory Infusion Centers, and Home Infusion, these comprehensive manuals will provide organizations with ready-to-use policies and step-by-step guidance for numerous infusion- and vascular access-related procedures.
INS will continue to provide our members with educational tools you need to attain your resolutions this year. From the innovative articles in the Journal of Infusion Nursing, to the new content added to our LEARNING CENTER each month, to our revamped CRNI(R) Academy, we invite you to make the most of your continuing education and take part in these offerings! Plus, INS 2020, our first-ever virtual meeting, is now available on demand. It's not too late to register and catch up on sessions you missed, such as the highly rated sessions on diversity and inclusion, the incidence and impact of peripheral vascular catheter-related infections, and Dr Candy Campbell's incredible portrayal as Florence Nightingale.
While making resolutions and sticking to them can be daunting, remember any steps toward positive change, large or small, is a step in the right direction. INS is here to support you throughout your professional journey and beyond. Here's to an engaging, productive 2021!
Mary Alexander