It is an absolute honor and privilege to serve as the next president of the Oklahoma Nurses Association. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude that you chose the nursing profession, for being the incredible person you are, and for serving as a beacon of hope and a steadfast pillar in our profession, in healthcare, and in our communities. Your relentless dedication over time has been unmeasurable. You are significant, and your impact is significant.

As nurses, we know how to stay the course and serve as the beacon of light and hope for not only our patients but for humanity. When we face challenges, our souls generate and maintain a reassuring flame that we refuse to let diminish. Why is this? Because nursing is not just a job; it’s a calling—where ordinary people rise to do extraordinary things, day in and day out, often to improve the lives and outcomes of others.

I acknowledge and applaud our past, and I am primed and ready to forge a path where nurses lead and succeed in Oklahoma. My vision for the ONA Board of Directors is to come alongside and fan your flame, fuel your tank, and support you and your passion for the profession. To be instrumental in forming meaningful networks across our state to add octane to your professional aspirations. I want to assure you that you are not alone on this journey. We are stronger together!

As the largest profession within healthcare, we have the center stage to make the greatest impact. We must swim in the same direction as we spread our spirit of optimism, restore hope in the health of our state, and raise awareness and the bar for the profession of nursing.
We must remain laser-focused and intentional as we lock arms across our state.

I plan to ignite the torch of intentionality as I counteract complacency and challenge myself —and you— to be inspirational and aspirational in the coming year.

First, INSPIRATION: I challenge you to find someone to pour into and offer inspiration for someone coming behind. A student, a new graduate, or a new colleague. I encourage you to inspire someone as you instill excitement, encouragement, and an example of excellence as a mentor. A notable example of this could be engaging in the nurse residency programs. There are many more fabulous opportunities to be intentional in this regard. You have such a beautiful gift of life experience to share. Please join me as we each identify an emerging nurse to welcome and mentor into a strong link in the professional chain.

My next challenge to myself —and you— is that of ASPIRATION. I encourage you to reach further and stretch higher than you ever thought possible. Run for an office, step up to lead a committee, teach a course, write a book, launch a podcast, collaborate on an article. As nurses, we excel at doing incredible work. But you know what? We are great and we need to showcase this greatness by dancing on larger stages. Join me as we aspire to do even greater things.

This is my vision, the trajectory of ONA, and most importantly my commitment to you.

As your next President, the board of directors and I plan to lead by example, come alongside, and help breathe wind in your sails by creating opportunities for you to inspire those coming behind and aspire to showcase greatness within our profession.

Please join me in the coming year as we make some noise and cause some healthy commotion in our state. Let us capture the attention of the citizens across our great state and begin to serve as a state for others to replicate across our great nation.

Thank you again for entrusting me in this role. I am incredibly eager to launch into the coming year and could not be more thrilled to be launching alongside this star-studded line-up of nurses across our state!