Every year as springtime is upon us, I reflect on my journey as a nurse. I see nursing as the greatest profession available. My personal desire has always been to transform care in ways that patients need, and that looks different for most patients. While I have grown and progressed in many ways, that desire is still there. It brings me great joy during this season to be able to celebrate Nurses Week, recognition from Delaware Today Top Nurse, and the many other ways nurses receive recognition. I hope you also feel this same sense of ownership in nursing and pride in your daily contributions. I am proud of every nurse in Delaware and the group and individual ways that we add to and enhance quality care, excellence in academics, removing barriers, supporting community living, driving policy change, and many more. Nurses are present, active, and driving healthcare forward.
The DNA has also been active this year in working to ensure we continue to remain progressive in our approach to the care continuum and meeting the needs of the nursing workforce. The work includes the development of the Delaware Nurses Workforce Institute, Healthy Nurse Healthy Delaware, Professional Development Committee, and the ongoing work of the Advocacy Committee. Each of these groups brings an element of expertise and passion to the table. Together their work ensures that the association can meet the strategic elements necessary to grow engagement, membership, and a sense of belonging with the nursing community. If you are looking for an area to get involved in, now is the time. “Raise your hand” by emailing us at contactdna@denurses.org.
This edition of the DNA Reporter is very personal and important to me. In 2021, I made the decision to return to school and pursue a Doctoral degree in Nursing Practice (DNP). While there are numerous reasons for doing so, my goal was to obtain additional knowledge and education around how I can use evidence-based practice to inform and create change within the profession. In 2023, I completed this educational milestone and I find myself thinking about challenges and obstacles differently now. While obtaining this education was not the end of my journey, it was a lens into an area I had not explored in nursing and I gained a new appreciation and understanding for thinking through complex problems, various ways to have the spirit of inquiry, and rechallenge solutions.
In this edition, I am hoping to demonstrate the work that is happening in Delaware with the help of nurses who are utilizing their doctoral degree to create sustainable changes for patients and healthcare. You will read articles from PhD and DNP prepared registered nurses who are using their education in powerful ways. These articles display the diversity and varying degrees of expertise and complexity represented in the author’s active work. I hope you will take the time to learn more about each topic and consider how you can benefit or use this knowledge in your practice area.
Thank you to each and every nurse in Delaware and members of the Delaware Nurses Association. You are deeply valued and appreciated. I am so proud to call you a fellow colleague and work together to advance nursing in Delaware!
