NWONL Annual Conference 2022 | Moving Forward

May 2022

This month we have had many conversations with Nurse Leaders about the continuum of supply and demand for nurses. From the pipeline of academia and how nurses are prepared for complex environments to the middle-work of recruiting and retaining nurses. I'll add to those conversations with finishing-work: professional development for future generations of nursing (career paths, education and practice). All three require new solutions.

Thinking about innovative approaches to training the next generation of nurses, we are reminded that what has got us here, may not move us forward. The time to capitalize on what we have learned during the immense upheaval of healthcare in the last two years - is now. What changes in education and training need to be considered right now? How can organizations build environments where nurses thrive and want to be a larger part in, right now? To add to this, regionally our hospitals and healthcare organizations are grappling with creating healthy workplaces with new definitions and solutions to work-life balance. For all of these, we know that there is no easy answer to grab ahold of. The problems that were there before the pandemic have simply been exacerbated and it will take time, patience, courage (and a large measure of grace and grit) to move forward with incremental changes that lead to more sustainable solutions. 

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Conference next week for healthy conversation and connection to help spark the energy needed to nursing leadership today. 

See you there!

You are the faces of courage, grace and grit.

-cmw