I am writing this editorial as I am flying home from Reno and the 42nd Annual Congress of NAON. I had thought about what to write this editorial about, and it became clear to me during the 4 days I spent at Congress that I needed to reflect on what turned out to be one of the best Congresses out of the 40 that I have attended over the years. It really was not about Reno, although Reno holds special memories for me as it was where my Congress was when I was President of NAON. It was so much more!
When we gathered in Reno in May, for those who could make the trip, we arrived in Reno after enduring 2 years of constant struggles whether it was at work or at home. I have often said over the last 2 years that I was glad that I did not have to manage children during this time, as it was tough enough when there was not a pandemic. Although my work situation, like yours, became an intense, ever-changing environment to manage, we made it through and have begun to see some light at the end of the tunnel. But walking off that plane in Reno and knowing that I would soon be seeing friends and colleagues whom I had not seen since 2019 or earlier, it was like a breath of fresh air. A sigh of relief. We made it.
Although in-person Congress was smaller than what we had seen in the past, there were many participating in the various sessions that were livestreamed and will continue to participate in those sessions as they are posted in the near future. And that combination of in-person and virtual attendance exhilarated me knowing that we are on the right track for the future. As usual, Tandy Gabbert, NAON Director of Education and the Congress Education Committee, did an outstanding job putting together an educational meeting that offered something for everyone.
The one thing that cannot be underestimated is the importance of personal connection that we have all lacked in the past couple of years. Zoom meetings just do not do it for many. From long warm, hugs, conversations in the Joint Connection, or conversations when seeing someone simply walking in the hallway to planned in-person meetings of various groups, the positive influence that each of these activities has been unmistakable. One of my most favorite memories was speaking to first-time Congress attendees. So much fun!
Under the leadership of Jack Davis, Lynn Burkett, and Charla Johnson, NAON Presidents, their respective boards and the NAON office staff, NAON seems to have weathered the storm. Now is the time to think about where we go from here. I think there is one answer and that is to mark your calendars now for NAON's 43rd Annual Congress in Pittsburgh, PA, May 6-9, 2023. As I think about the next year's Congress, I am already looking forward to seeing old friends, meeting new people, and engaging in orthopaedic nursing educational and social activities. Go ahead, mark your calendar now. Submit your time off request. See you in Pittsburgh!