4 minute read
NURSES: A POWERFUL VOICE FOR CHANGE
President’s Notes
By Amy McCarthy, DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC
HELLO TEXAS NURSES!
This edition of Texas Nurses magazine marks our final one under the theme of “Gaining Traction: Nurses Driving Change” This theme perfectly reflects the journey the Texas Nurses Association has been on this past year. We are seeing the signs of an association moving forward with intentionality and purpose, creating spaces that are inclusive and welcoming to all Texas nurses. Over the past year, we've seen new faces at our events and meetings, more energy in our districts, and a sharing of ideas across our states. Nurses are becoming more engaged and are realizing the power of their voice at decision-making tables. They are seeing how united they can be in creating better spaces for themselves and their patients. Nurses are feeling empowered to have the hard conversations that spark change. Self-efficacy—believing in oneself—is crucial in our evolution as a profession. To enact real change, we must first believe that we have the power and knowledge to do so. It takes courage and perseverance to speak up, especially when we may be the only nurse at the table. It can mean facing judgment, isolation, and discomfort. Yet, it's essential.
Over the past two months, I transitioned into a new role as Chief Nursing Officer at a healthcare tech company. Often, I find myself as the only nurse—often, the only woman—in the room. While I am no stranger to advocacy, I admit there have been moments where I have hesitated to insert myself into conversations. But in those instances, I have had to remind myself that when I speak up, I am speaking up for nursing, and for safe patient care. Advocacy becomes even more crucial in these spaces – failure to engage and share clinical expertise can lead to products and solutions that increase clinician burden and cause potential harm to patients.
Every day, I remind myself to lean in, to learn, and, most importantly, to listen. Change takes time, and many industries don’t have a good understanding of what nursing truly encompasses. Nurses are not just people in blue scrubs—we are innovators, scientists, advocates, and community experts. We have a unique perspective and understanding of populations, operations, and workflow. This experience is invaluable in reinventing our healthcare systems. As intimidating as it can be to stand up and speak out, the only way to create more inclusive healthcare systems, is to participate in their re-development. We cannot sit back and expect someone else to take care of it.
As we continue building momentum, it’s important that we also focus on the internal work required to grow as a profession. Too often, we focus on our differences instead of what connects us.
With over 4 million nurses in the U.S., we could be a powerful force for change if we supported one another and opened ourselves to different viewpoints. Every voice at the table—whether a nurse in a hospital, industry, academia, or community—has a role to play. The more diverse the table, the more inclusive the solution.
With over 4 million nurses in the U.S., we could be a powerful force for change if we supported one another and opened ourselves to different viewpoints. Every voice at the table—whether a nurse in a hospital, industry, academia, or community—has a role to play. The more diverse the table, the more inclusive the solution.
We must also embrace perspectives from other disciplines and industries, recognizing our role in shaping the narrative of nursing. The compassion and empathy we show our patients must extend to those who may not fully understand what nursing is today. Just as we educate patients, we must teach the public about the true scope of our profession. I challenge all of you to advocate not just at the bedside, but for nursing as a whole. We, as nurses, know the breadth of our roles and the impact we have— it’s crucial that the world understands this too. If we don’t tell our own story, we can’t blame others for misunderstanding our potential.
There may be many unknowns in the world, but one thing is certain: Texas nurses have the power to shape the future of healthcare, both in our state and nationally. It’s time we rewrite our narrative and move full speed ahead! i
