Complete Story
03/08/2022
Message from our President
Happy Spring, ACHNE Members! This particular year’s seasonal change beckons an even stronger wholehearted celebration of the new life and renewed hopes that we dearly embrace.
As we mark the 2-year anniversary of the life-changing and continued impacts from Covid-19, I personally feel a sense of fatigue from the relentless cycle of ups and downs and transitions. In both 2020 and 2021 when we gathered virtually for our Annual Institute, I clearly heard about the overwhelming challenges and monumental tasks of transitioning teaching virtually to the strident need for advocacy that was required to be public health nurse experts in your own communities promoting safety, protection, PPE, and most importantly telling the story about why public health matters. Some of you have been living in states that don’t support public health, but you have stood up to protect the greater good. We have been riding tumultuous waves of transformation over these past 2 years. And although the true end may seem uncertain, we are now standing up, recovering from battle fatigue, and can hope to see a glimmer on the horizon for a new era. Please take a moment to celebrate all of your successes and all the ways you rose to the occasion over and over again.
But wait there’s always more to do. In our academic roles, we now anticipate the impact of the New AACN Essentials and the need to revise curriculum. Additionally, the new Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report emphasizes that nursing needs to focus on health equity. We as public health nurses have been pointing the profession in this direction for a century. Let’s also celebrate this new direction for all of nursing. However, there’s still more work to be done. Yet, we have been advocating for equity and social justice for decades and so our specialty of public health nursing is really at the forefront. ACHNE’s work with the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations is at the forefront and we are prime to take the lead with this. So, let’s applaud all of us in our public health nursing specialty. Collectively, we are making a difference and changing these systems, advancing the education of future nurses who will practice with a lens of equity. On that horizon, we will make a difference in our communities and improve the lives of people everywhere.
But wait there’s more. The long-awaited NEW Scope and Standards of Public Health Nursing, 3rd edition will be published this Spring. Several ACHNE members contributed to this revision as part of a workgroup that met for 3 years. This workgroup created a new vision that defines and refines the definition of our scope and practice. We believe that this revision with comprehensive standards will be a valuable tool for you to guide your students, your faculty, your institutions, and ultimately support you as you raise up our specialty.
A few additional activities to mention:
You have heard about the new strategic plan, but did you know it has been in the works for more than 2 years? Four workgroups are in the final phases of this comprehensive plan that will take ACHNE far in the next 3-5 years. We are very excited about officially launching it at the Annual Institute in June. Stay tuned for all the ways you will be able to interact with ACHNE’s new Strategic Plan and get involved in exciting new action steps.
Speaking about the Annual Institute, I am so excited about seeing everyone in person for this year’s events. There is an incredible conference lineup planned and I can’t wait. I can’t wait to your presentations of your hard work. I look forward to networking, reunion hugs, fun outings, advocacy tour, and most importantly the comradery and our shared vision. All will be highlights for me. I sincerely look forward to seeing you in June.
And finally, as we welcome this season of spring, my hopes for all of you include restoration and resilience. Hope seems to be an important springtime word to hold on to. While the current circumstances in our world remain uncertain and heartbreaking, I wholeheartedly pray for peace in our cities and in our world. As public health nurses, we know how to keep hope alive. As you educate and practice public health nursing, may those visionary seeds that you plant grow deep roots and blossom beauty in our world.
It’s my honor to serve you in the role of President of ACHNE. Feel free to contact me with your ideas, concerns, and hopes.
Please celebrate how incredible you are for saving the lives of many and fostering future generations to do the same.
See you in June.
Dr. Lori Edwards, PH, MPH, BSN, RN, APHN-BC
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