The longer I am a nurse is the clearer the essential role that nurses need to play becomes to me. As nurses, we are leaders. Reflecting on the last year, I witnessed many opportunities where individual nurses made a difference through their leadership. Whether it was directly with a patient care situation discussion assessing patient quality matrix, or it involves those who have volunteered to make ANA-Ohio a strong respected association, nurses made the difference. From the nursing students to the wise, experienced retired nurses, their individual and collective contributions were innovative, unwavering, and focused on doing what was right and in the best interest of the patients and public we serve.
Ohio’s nursing legacy has long been recognized as outstanding with individuals that are known nationally and beyond. Isabel Hampton Robb, the first ANA President, was the matron at Lakeside Hospital (now University Hospitals of Cleveland) and played key role in the forerunner of Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (FPB). Out of the 39 ANA President to date, four additional nurses held the president title from Ohio (Elizabeth K. Porter, Dorothy A. Cornelius, Barbara Nichols, and Rebecca M. Patton). Equally, there are other Ohio nurses that served in impactful national leadership positions, May Wykle served as Sigma Theta Tau President, Doris Edwards as Sigma Theta Tau Vice President, Joyce J Fitzpatrick as American Academy of Nursing President, Kay Ball as AORN President, and many others served in associations’ key leadership positions.
Therefore Ohio has many well-known nurses, not all Ohio nursing legacy is encapsulated in accomplishments by well-known nurses. You will not find their names in a book or on social media site, but they are known by those who they have inspired, and supported to act and lead. They have led community efforts, influenced policy decisions, protected the health and safety of the nursing community, served on community boards, and so much more.
As we look forward to the start of 2024, Ohio nursing legacy continues through ANA-Ohio’s mission and the new possibilities the association is creating. Intentionally ANA-Ohio is collaborating on issues of importance to our stakeholders. Here are a few of the highlights that members can engage in to make a difference.
The spring Inaugural Ohio Nurse Summit, for presidents and executive directors of Ohio nursing associations, will meet this April in person in Columbus and discuss issues facing Ohio nurses. This collaboration among the associations will generate better opportunities to work together addressing top issues. The strength and diversity of our associations will be impactful.
ANA-Ohio’s newly created Speaker’s Bureau will be soliciting individuals to speak on a variety of topics to diverse audiences. It is an opportunity to educate, highlight the work of nurses, and be responsive to the media request we receive. For example, last fall, ANA-Ohio was contacted by producer associated with the Global Health Reporting Center looking to interview individuals about our advocacy to expand practice authority and access to care in underserved rural areas. The series was aired nationally on PBS NewsHour highlighting the work of Ohio APRN, https://youtu.be/R8PI55dKLgk?si=pko62oXN69lhH-H4. The speaker’s bureau is looking for a range of speakers from individuals to speak in front of elementary age children to those prepared to be on a national broadcast.
Latest enhancement for member benefits is the new Career Center with the purpose to help connect Ohio nursing talent with career opportunities. If you have a vacant position to fill, ANA-Ohio is accepting advertisements to help nurses find rewarding positions. The direct link is https://ana-ohio.careerwebsite.com/home/index.cfm . The career center can be found on the website under the Resource tab.
Designed to help members address issues and expand connectedness, the ANA-Ohio Board is now accepting proposals for special interest groups (SIG) to be created. Our bylaws specifically allow for groups to be formed by members to meet and address topics of interest. These SIG are designed by individual members. An example is a group of nurses that want to work together on local or state issues, such as working on a ballot issue or an initiative to increase voter registration among nurses. The SIG structure can mirror what has existed in other organizations as a district model.
I am proud and grateful to be a member our association, ANA-Ohio. I look forward to our working together. In the second quarter issue of our journal, we want to highlight nurses along with our association accomplishments. Those that have inspired you. Individuals that supported you to become the nurse that you are today. Maybe it was your preceptor or nursing manager that encourage you during the challenging moments you faced in your career. Watch on the website and biweekly Member Update for further details. Who will you recognize for their dedication and advocacy for the profession for our April/May is-sue? Will you be the first to nominate a nursing colleague?
Rebecca M Patton
DNP, RN, CNOR, FAAN
president@ana-ohio.org
