Resolutions
John Palmer Assistant Chair , 2020-2021 Resolutions Committee
New Year ’ s Resolutions Like most people back in January , I had high hopes for 2020 . I was riding the thrill of starting a new decade , and I found myself looking forward to upcoming events such as the NSNA Annual Convention in Orlando and the Summer Olympics in Tokyo . It was also a particularly exciting time to be a student nurse , with 2020 being recognized as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife . I was prepared for the year to bring challenges , but I was definitely not expecting a prolonged pandemic that would alter nearly every aspect of my life . Before we were even halfway done with 2020 , I was looking to 2021 and the promise of normalcy it carried . As much as I wish that it would , I know the virus will not go away just because the calendar resets in January . Yet , I think there is much to be hopeful for in 2021 . We must embrace the clean slate that the new year offers and take advantage of its opportunities to reestablish former routines . One such occasion that awaits in 2021 is the ability to author and present an NSNA Resolution .
The NSNA House of Delegates may not have been able to vote on resolutions this past April , but 2020 was still a pivotal year for NSNA Resolutions . COVID-19 has brought the nursing profession to the forefront of national media . Stories about the heroism of nurses can be found everywhere , including accounts of their struggles with lack of PPE , burnout , and staffing . Furthermore , the pandemic has highlighted longstanding health inequities and barriers to care throughout the American health system . Nursing education has also been impacted in a variety of ways by COVID-19 . In short , there is no shortage of issues that have come to light in 2020 and can be addressed by NSNA Resolutions . Add to this pool of potential resolutions all of the pre-pandemic issues that have yet to be addressed , and the opportunities for resolutions become seemingly endless !
Composing a resolution for presentation at the NSNA House of Delegates is more than just an exercise of research and writing for personal enrichment . Authoring a resolution will indeed enhance your knowledge of a given nursing-related issue , but this is not the only reason you should consider submitting a resolution . Becoming active in the resolutions process demonstrates a commitment to professionalism , and more importantly , to the future of nursing . The nursing profession has a long and proud history of promoting awareness and change when health or social issues are discovered . We might not be nurses just yet , but that does not mean we should remain idle when we observe injustices , inefficiencies , or a general lack of awareness about issues . That said , I understand that it can be intimidating to speak up , especially when you do not know if anyone will listen . Fortunately , an NSNA Resolution can serve as a means of amplifying your voice as a nursing student .
Resolutions allow you to share your opinion on a given subject with nursing students across the country , and potentially even have it conveyed to large healthcare organizations . It takes diligent effort , teamwork , and passion about a topic to develop and present an NSNA Resolution , but the platform a resolution offers its authors makes the process well worthwhile . Resolutions also stand to influence the actions of NSNA . NSNA strives to act on the behalf of nursing students across the country , but it cannot carry out this mission without the voice of students . It will be two years this April since NSNA adopted its last set of resolutions , and the organization ’ s student leadership and membership have both changed during this time . Consequently , resolutions submitted in the upcoming year will be of increased importance for setting NSNA ’ s priorities .
As 2020 comes to a close , I encourage you to take some time to reflect on all that has occurred over the past few months . No matter how this might make you feel , keep in mind that we cannot change what has already happened . What we can change , however , is our approach to the upcoming year . I hope you transition into 2021 full of anticipation and confidence , and that you consider promoting the change you would like to see this new year by making an NSNA Resolution ! n
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