The Think Tank went public in 2022 , which enabled frontline nurses , finance executives , CFOs and other stakeholders to come together to publish six focus areas in the nurse staffing crisis . This included healthy work environments ; diversity , equity and inclusion ; work schedule flexibility ; stress injury continuum ; innovative care delivery models and total compensation . Healthcare leaders can now refer to the Think Tank website to find actionable strategies for implementing positive change in each of these areas .
During her presidency , AACN also advanced partnerships that drove change for nurses at the governmental level . For instance , AACN ’ s advocacy team facilitated listening sessions that allowed nurses to share their perspectives with the Surgeon General . Additionally , Wathen helped appoint Children ’ s Colorado ’ s Robin Thomas , BSN , RN , CCRN , who represented frontline nurses on the panel . The Surgeon General then used this input to release recommendations in fall 2022 for how healthcare organizations can address the erosion of employee wellbeing . Wathen ’ s work with the public , organizations and government stakeholders continues to show measurable impact ; however , she stresses that uplifting nurses is ultimately a community effort .
“ Whether it ’ s joining a committee in your own hospital or getting involved at the national level , we can all use our voices in proactive , collaborative ways to help the world understand the critical role that nurses play ,” Wathen says . “ Ensuring that nurses have a seat at the table and that their voices are heard has always been one of my personal driving missions .”
Wathen isn ’ t planning on halting this mission anytime soon . Instead , she ’ ll continue sharing her story so that other nurses can share theirs . Her message of staying rooted in strength has a meaning nearly everyone can relate to : With the right conditions , we can heal ourselves after tragedy . It ’ s also true that Wathen can ’ t do this work without finding strength in her own roots — a practice that includes walks , gardening , nature and spending time with her family . Her work at Children ’ s Colorado , too , helps her stay strong .
“ If you have a job where you ’ re doing what you love , you feel like your voice is heard , you ’ re empowered and you ’ re making a difference — that fills your cup and strengthens your roots ,” she says . “ I get that every single day at Children ’ s Colorado . I wouldn ’ t be here if I didn ’ t feel that this was the place that nurtured my roots and gave me strength .”
WATHEN ’ S MESSAGE OF STAYING ROOTED IN STRENGTH HAS A MEANING NEARLY EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO :
With the right conditions , we can heal ourselves after tragedy .
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