Having just returned from the in-person Association of Nurses in AIDS Care conference in Washington, DC, I am once again invigorated as I think about the work that still needs to be done. As always, the sessions at ANAC conference were outstanding and so informative. But most importantly, it is the people who make up the association that inspire me. As I participated in the plenary and the breakout sessions and viewed the posters, I was assured to see the diversity of people in attendance. I was also assured to see so many people who were first-time attendees and younger than me. This brings me comfort knowing that the legacy of excellence and the spirit of commitment and passion of ANAC and its members will continue until the HIV pandemic is over.
On Saturday night, the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board was recognized with one of the two President's Awards for their work in restructuring the certification and recertification processes for the ACRN, AACRN, and creating a certification examination for licensed practical/vocational nurses specializing in HIV care. So, if you are not currently certified, I would ask you to show your commitment and expertise by becoming certified. Please go to the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board website (https://www.nursesinaidscare.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4835) to learn more about how to become certified.
As Melanie Steilen begins her journey as President of ANAC and as the new Board begins their work, I would ask you, how do you plan to foster excellence in HIV nursing and contribute to the mission of ANAC? I have several suggestions for you to consider. First, reach out to a local school of nursing and offer to provide a guest lecture in the prelicensure curriculum about HIV prevention, care, and treatment. As subject matter experts, this expertise and experience needs to be shared with the next generation of nurses. You might also consider inviting local nursing students to an ANAC chapter meeting to help them learn about HIV nursing as a career pathway.
Second, find someone who is passionate about something you care about and mentor them to replace you. Several years ago, when I was a first-year PhD student, a faculty member in one of my courses asked to speak to me about a paper I submitted. During our meeting, this individual shared that my scholarly writing was filled with too much passion. Instead of writing with passion (still not sure how to do this), I was encouraged to use this passion to mentor five people to replace me ensuring that my passion would live on after I was retired. Thus, I ask you to make yourself available to mentor a nurse or nurse practitioner new to HIV nursing or a junior faculty member new to the academy as they build their program of research and academic career.
Third, please do not be silent! Until there is true equity for all persons, until every person eligible for PrEP can obtain access, and until the social contributors to health are eliminated across all populations, there is work to be done. At the ANAC Conference, especially during the Award's Ceremony, the legacy of ANAC's extraordinary leaders reminded me of those who paved the way. One of the preeminent HIV nurse scientists who conducted some of the early stigma, adherence, and symptom management research, Bill Holzemer, was in attendance at this year's conference. He reminded me of a career committed to making a difference. Similarly, so has Cliff Morrison, whose early work helped establish the first dedicated AIDS Nursing Unit at San Francisco General Hospital on July 25, 1983. However, Carol Dawson-Rose, immediate past president of ANAC, also reminded me of two other nurse leaders who made a difference in HIV, nursing, and ANAC-Anne Hughes and Helen Miramontes. In Donna Sabatino's acceptance remarks as the 2021 recipient of the Helen Miramontes Advocacy Award, she reminded all of us in attendance of Helen's steadfast commitment to justice and her ability to use her voice to make a difference. Similarly, Carol also reminded us of the humanity still needed in nursing, in HIV, and in society when she acknowledged Anne Hughes with the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. If either of these legends were still alive, their acceptance speeches would have been similar in one aspect-they would have challenged each of us to make a difference.
So, as we start a new year, I have a favor to ask of you. Now, more than ever, please do not give up because there is still too much work to be done. Also, please recommit to fostering excellence in nursing, especially HIV nursing. And finally, please remember to take time to breath, to enjoy life, and to care for yourself and those you love along the way. As formed United States Senator Barbara Mikulski (Democrat, Maryland) stated, "Each of us can make a difference. Together, we make change."
As 2022 begins, I know that each of you will make a difference. And, together, as members of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, I know that we will make change. Thank you for all you do to foster excellence in HIV nursing!
Disclosures
The author reports no real or perceived vested interests related to this article that could be construed as a conflict of interest.
Author Contributions
Michael V. Relf was involved with the conceptualization, writing the original draft, and review and editing.