This is an exciting time for the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) and the profession of nursing! We, as nurses, have known the importance of our work. Organizations around the world have come to recognize the importance of nurses, so much so that 2020 has been designated as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO (2019), in a statement announcing this recognition, "Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. They are often, the first and only point of care in their communities. Quite simply, the world will only achieve universal health coverage by recognizing the critical role they play and by investing more in the nursing and midwifery workforce." What an honor to be recognized as a profession! What an honor to be part of this profession!
WHAT DOES THIS RECOGNITION MEAN TO THE STN?
This recognition means that we stay the course that has been drawn out for our organization in the strategic plan. The STN Board of Directors recognizes that, as the foremost trauma nursing organization in the world, there is an obligation that comes with that prestige. The obligation is to assist and invest resources not only in our membership and organization but also into others in the world. As guided by the strategic plan, initiatives including pediatric course development, Trauma Outcomes and Performance Improvement Course updates and international course structure development, the Centre for Global Trauma Quality Improvement, and commitment to participate in the 5th World Trauma Congress being held in Brisbane, Australia, are just a few of the projects that come to mind that are supporting others around the world.
WHAT DOES THIS RECOGNITION MEAN TO ME?
This recognition means a great deal to me. It is an honor to be a nurse. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit trauma centers around the country, and world, to encourage and thank nurses for the excellent care that they provide to trauma patients while promoting the field of trauma nursing to all hospital staff. I am hopeful that this recognition will open more of these venues for nursing to be discussed and promoted. I will do my part to continue to be an advocate for trauma nurses, even after my year as president has ended.
WHAT DOES THIS RECOGNITION MEAN TO YOU?
I ask you to take a few minutes to think about and answer that question. When you have answered that question, I hope that you will consider expanding your horizons and join one of our work groups, committees, become a mentor, an Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN)-trained nurse and aim to become an instructor, or perhaps you have an idea for a new project. If you are interested in any of the areas that I just mentioned, please e-mail me at mailto:[email protected] and let's talk about it. Together, we have the power to elevate the profession of nursing to an even higher level.
REFERENCE