Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. - (Helen Keller)
This will be my final article to appear in Orthopaedic Nursing as your president. It has been a challenging year for anyone working in healthcare especially. We have seen the worst of anything imaginable and the best of most people. Our hearts were heavy with concern for our nation, patients, communities, and each other this past year. The song by Billy Joel-We Didn't Start the Fire-has gone through my head so many times. It seemed like there was no end to the chaos!
As I write this, the holidays are over and we have entered a new phase in the fight against COVID-19. Many healthcare workers have been vaccinated, including myself. I felt privileged to be among the first wave getting the vaccine. I am also honored to be part of the team administering the vaccines. The excitement of those who have been vaccinated has been overwhelming. I have seen nurses, doctors, therapists, and administrators with tears and cameras as they have gotten their vaccine.
With celebrations at a standstill for most of 2020, there were still so many things to celebrate. I celebrated the birth of my first grandchild, the wonder in her eyes as she grew, her giggle over her father tapping a book on his leg, pure innocence. NAON celebrated the 40th anniversary with a quick change in plans to virtual platform. Ortho nurses became other nurses and proudly did their part to care for others. Some nurses found themselves back to the bedside to assist in the overload of patients. Those skills that were utilized years ago came back with just a little nudging.
A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. (Christopher Reeve)
2020 was the Year of the Nurse and in many people's eyes, nurses became heroes. But even without a specific year or virus, we are still heroes and a force to be reckoned with! 2020 has instilled a new pride in nurses. I have been working alongside our senior nursing students in our COVID-19 vaccine clinics. They are tomorrow's heroes, continuing to embrace the nursing legacy. In the very start of their careers, they have been challenged and frightened by what they have seen. For them and any of our new members, welcome to this honorable profession. Share your hopes and dreams with seasoned nurses and ask questions. We are the sum of all of us-young, old, new, and seasoned. We can learn from one another.
As we navigated new waters, the board was challenged with maintaining our status as the experts in musculoskeletal health. Our members continued to seek the educational opportunities that they have come to expect, and we continued to deliver. Our strategic plan was even more comprehensive to seek out other entities alongside nursing in musculoskeletal care. As the experts in the care of musculoskeletal conditions, we recognized partnerships with therapists, nursing assistants, physician assistants, physicians, nurses from ASC and offices, among others. Our net has been widened to include some of these groups for the advancement of our mission.
Peering into the future, NAON recognizes research and will continue to encourage nurses to apply for the research grants available. We will continue to work alongside our partners at AAOS. We have partnered with Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation to encourage not only our nurses but all nurses to take care of ourselves too. In the wake of COVID-19, nurses have been running on empty-working longer hours, emotionally drained, physically feeling beat up daily, and quite frankly, frightened at this unknown virus. Nurses truly are resilient, and I look forward to the research that will undoubtedly follow this pandemic.
Unfortunately, we missed the comradery of sharing and fellowship that happens at Congress. This past year has felt somewhat flat because of that. We did not get to say thank you in person to Jack Davis, our Immediate Past President, and I did not get to address the members in Pittsburgh at the end of Congress. However, we did improvise as nurses often do. I am being optimistic in hoping that we can share experiences and knowledge when we are able to meet again in person. After all, the physical presence is so much a part of nursing-not only for our patients but also for one another.
Recently we made a difficult decision to convert 2021 Congress to a virtual platform. The virtual presentation promises to be a robust event available to our membership. I sincerely hope many of you join us and celebrate the stars you all are.
NAON is strong and will continue to expand as the needs of our members and the changing landscape of healthcare continue to evolve. Charla Johnson, DNP, RN, ONC, will step up to the plate as your new President. She brings vitality, passion, and knowledge. In her hands, I know NAON will continue to shine. The board that supports her is made up of an impressive group of nurses with a complement of experiences and knowledge to guide NAON. We will survive this storm, and we will be NAON proud!
I wish you all peace, health, and a continued commitment to nursing and NAON. Celebrate the star you are! Continue to celebrate and add your legacy to this story!
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." (Eleanor Roosevelt)