Hello. My name is Julie Nash and I am honored to serve as your 2015 president.
I would like to recognize Kathi Ayers for her leadership over this past year. Kathi, through her tenacity and professionalism, led the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) to numerous successes during her term. I would also like to thank the board of directors, committee chairs/members, and STN members who have worked with enthusiasm and dedication to take STN to the next level over the past year.
This organization has meant so much to me in my career that it is hard to even fathom that I have been given the privilege to serve with such a wonderful group of professionals. Please know that I will work tirelessly to ensure our vision "to be the premiere global nursing organization across the trauma continuum" continues to be in the forefront of everything we do. This organization has seen tremendous growth and is continuing at an amazing pace to develop and strengthen.
By now, you have all had time to return from our annual conference and get settled back into your daily routine. I hope the conference really made a difference for you and that you were able to find your passion for why you love being a trauma nurse. No matter what your reason, I encourage you to remember that moment(s) often and take my challenge to begin stepping out of your comfort zone. Our comfort zone is dictated by change. The harder we fight change and resist its force, the more difficult it is to break through our current comfort zone and move forward.
Start slowly by taking on a new challenge or commitment, embracing the change then moving again. Be ever growing. Whether you start with public speaking, writing, planning a program, or getting more involved with trauma in your community, I hope you will let STN grow with you.
From the community discussions with colleagues all over the country; trauma education programs such as ATCN, TOPIC, and OPTIMAL; and the mentorship program to the leadership institute, STN can help. I encourage you to get involved, step outside your comfort zone and begin to take that next step.
I believe in you and that together we can make a difference.