NWONL Annual Conference 2022 | Moving Forward

April 2022

Moving Forward

This is where we are: Actively leading nurses through the process of healing and recovery post pandemic alongside helping them find their grounding amidst seemingly relentless waves of change. There are divergent grumblings from all levels of nursing: when can we get back to normal, the way things used to work versus when are we going to finally accept we are irrevocably changed and adapt to our new realities? These are divergent views. They place us at a critical crossroad for the nursing profession: Go back or move forward.
 
One thing is clear, this is not the time to shrink back to doing things they ways the have always been done. The lure of falling back onto old ways is a known path, straightforward and packaged neatly with an illusion of safety and consistency. We must not squander this window of opportunity to capitalize on our lessons learned. The pain we have borne, has refined us, tested our resiliency. The changes we have made, willingly or not, shaped us to become more aware, adaptable and agile. Yes, it is still messy and imperfect. All transformational changes are. The friction of change is the tactile feedback that it is actually working. We must allow ourselves the permission and security to accept this truth.

We can absolutely emerge stronger and better positioned to lead the future of healthcare. Forward is our best option. It won’t be easy. It won’t be quick. But it will be worth it.

You are the faces of courage, grace and grit.

-cmw