As 2006 draws to a close, everyone will be reflecting on the events that occurred over the past year: personal achievements and disappointments, life's uncertainties, and the enduring power of hope.
The other day, I saw a laughing child watching fascinated as a grasshopper jumped in the grass and could not resist smiling at her wonder and delight at discovering her small world. But then my mind turned to the fact that there are other children out there who have no reason to laugh, whose emotions have been blunted by life circumstances and inhumane living conditions. Those children struggle just to survive. My smile disappeared with the thought.
We live in an imperfect world and universal change remains elusive. Several times a day I glance at the familiar poem/prayer posted on my file cabinet:
God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can; and Wisdom to know the difference.
Committing to Change
We deal with numerous frustrations every day in our roles as healthcare providers: the morbidity associated with chronic disease; access issues; the uninsured and underinsured poor; the disenfranchised; the demanding consumer; rising healthcare costs; insurers and reimbursement; time constraints; resistant physicians; and unresponsive legislators.
This list is by no means comprehensive, so I pose two questions for thought. What battles do we as nurse practitioners choose to fight? What can we do in 2007, both individually and collectively, to improve the health and quality of life for our patients? Where can we truly effect change?
These questions are not new; they are asked over and over again. Countless responses are appropriate and the actions we take portray our commitment to provide the highest quality of care. In December 2005 I wrote about a collective resolution to achieve the goals of Healthy People 2010. This year, I am writing about a bigger resolution that extends beyond the walls of our own worlds.
Every Action Matters
The world's health remains in crisis. The World Health Organization's (WHO) objective, as set out in its constitution, is the "attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health." Health is defined in WHO's constitution as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Each of us contributes in some small way to helping WHO realize this global goal; every small action makes a difference in someone's life. Hopefully, it is a positive change. Less-than-desired outcomes, however, are also part of the effort.
A Message for Change
America sent a message in November to politicians: It is time for change. Nurses send messages everyday to stakeholders in healthcare: It is time for change. Whether or not you make New Year's resolutions, stay the course. Turn those frustrations into opportunities for change-personally, professionally, and globally. Nurses are the power brokers for patients around the world. There is power in numbers.
I am now going to sit quietly, turn the volume on my stereo up high, and reaffirm my personal hope through the words of the Sam Cooke classic, A Change is Gonna Come:
"It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it is."
Jamesetta Newland, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Editor-in-Chief [email protected]