[Pictured Above: Mark Longshore, Mavis Mesi, Carol O’Meara and Margaret Bishop (photo credit: Mary Satre)]

In June, six members of CNA attended the 2024 ANA Annual Membership Assembly in Washington DC. In addition to our Executive Director, Mark Longshore, and Deputy Executive Director, Margaret Bishop, I – as CNA President – was joined by voting delegate and alternate Mavis Mesi and Carol O’Meara. But most notably – and most importantly – the five of us were also accompanied by CNA member Courtney Hickey, who is current co- chair of CNA’s Workplace Advocacy Advisory and Networking Team (aka A.N.T.). Courtney was there at the invitation of ANA to present her proposed paper for the ANA Dialogue Forum on Day 1 of the Assembly. Her proposal – one of only three presented on the day – was entitled:
“Breaking Barriers to Nurse Workforce Well-Being: A Call for Licensure and Employment Policy Reform to Combat Stigma”

What began as her personal story – Courtney’s to tell, not mine – has become a call to action on a national level. The development of the work has been strongly supported and guided by former CNA Executive Director Colleen Casper, who immediately recognized the value of Courtney’s proposal when she initially reached out to CNA.

Courtney’s call to action is aimed at licensing and regulatory agencies, whose historic tendency is to punish rather than to sup- port nurses in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health issues; she also calls out employers who demonstrate a bias against nurses in recovery. Her ongoing work is balancing public confidence with a nurse’s recovery confidentiality and their ability to re- turn to professional work.

The proposal was accepted for ongoing ANA support in the vote taken on Day 2.

I was honored to stand by Courtney and introduce her and am quick to point out that she received not one, but two well deserved standing ovations from the Assembly. It seems that many have not only heard a similar story but have lived it. You can read more about this in Courtney’s article in this issue.

Mavis Mesi, CNA’s GAPP Co-Chair, stood for the ANA Nominations and Elections Commit- tee and was one of the three elected to a two- year term, giving Colorado nurses ongoing representation at the national level.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of the annual Membership Assembly is the opportunity to meet nurse leaders from around the country and discuss approaches to shared issues and problems with engaged and passionate people who represent nurses in all areas. Our similarities are sometimes held in relief against our differences. Nurses are diverse and hold a number of viewpoints. This fact was drawn into the spotlight, most apparent when a recommendation that the ANA Board endorse a candidate for US President reached the floor for discussion. Though no specific candidate was mentioned, the discussion covered political versus apolitical stance and ultimately the potential effect on membership at the individual state level. The different needs in states were highlighted in terms of membership and related revenue for the state organizations. The discussion was an exercise in diplomacy and compromise, and though the recommendation was not passed, the substance of the discussion cannot be overlooked.

CNA will hold its annual Conference and Membership Assembly on September 20th and 21st this year. The theme is “The Value of Nursing,” which was coincidentally the topic of one of the lunchtime discussions in DC on the final day of the ANA Membership Assembly. I am energized by the high level of proposed topics for presentation at our local event and urge all CNA members who are able to make the effort to register and attend. Students will find that many members have donated to ease the financial burden on their registration. Please come! One CNA member has said it in a way that is worthy of reference:

“What we have here in Colorado is so unique and amazing. There is so much excitement to dive into heavy issues. I’m happy to be a part of it!” (Cristina Winchester, Region 2 Director)

By the time you read this, CNA will have held its annual Conference and Membership Assembly on September 20th and 21st this year. The theme was “The Value of Nursing,” which relates to Colorado’s contribution to the ANA Membership Assembly in June. (For more on that, see Courtney Hickey’s article elsewhere in this issue.) The Colorado Student Nurses Association will be holding their annual conference on September 28th at Trini- dad State College. CNA leadership attended this event to support our future colleagues. Although, both events are happening just as this issue of the Colorado Nurses makes it to your home, remember these celebrations of the value of nurses takes place every fall in Colorado. Just one opportunity for you to contribute as a presenter or collaborate and learn from other nurses.

Nurses, in all our diversity, hold varying viewpoints. My favorite semester-opening question for online discussion forums when I was teaching at the ADN and BSN level was this: “Consider and accept the fact that we are all biased. We all hold a unique point of view based on our place of origin, upbringing, life experiences and more. Please identify your own personal bias and describe how you have set it aside to deal with your patients on an equitable footing.” Then, at the end of the semester, I would refer to this question: “Remember the discussion on personal bias. Now, tell me how your own identified personal point of view enriches your nursing practice. In other words, what do you bring to your practice that is unique?”

My hope for CNA is that we can each con- tribute to our collective voice by using that which we alone can bring to the table.