Imprint 2020 November/December 2020 November/December | Page 5

Editorial

Hi NSNA members !
I am thrilled to announce this latest issue of Imprint : Take Action , Create Change . A professor once asked me , “ What does nursing mean to you ?” As a freshman at the time , I imagined a future filled with chest compressions , chatting with patients , and rocking scrubs . However , if you ask me now as a senior , I will say nurses are advocates , activists , and leaders . Whether at the bedside or at the White House , nurses shape policy , culture , and beliefs . Even as students , we hold power to create change when we sign up for organizations like NSNA . I hope this issue inspires you to discover what nursing means to you . What kind of nurse will you be ? What values will you uphold ? Who will you serve ? And how will you achieve this ?
This past year we faced many tragedies as a nation . The devastating deaths of Black Americans such as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd sparked outrage and calls for justice . I am proud to say that the NSNA stands with Black Lives Matter . Read on page 16 , the full NSNA statement and members ’ responses . As an organization , we want to be better . Therefore , we want to give you all the tools to be better too . On page 18 , read the feature on unconscious bias in healthcare . This piece is perfect for learning how to recognize our own biases and educating ourselves on how to be more inclusive , respectful RNs . Change is only possible when we begin to hold ourselves accountable for how we may contribute to the problem .
Readers , have you ever felt really overwhelmed the night before clinical ? I know I have . It ’ s only natural at times to feel scared or anxious during nursing school . Read on page 30 how to change your mindset . I personally gained valuable knowledge from this article on strategies to be more resilient and change some of my behaviors . Remember , we can only be as good to our patients as we are to ourselves . Stay strong !
Do you ever wonder how you can make a difference right now as a student ? Read on page 28 how filling out a simple online survey from the NSNA can make a big impact ! Speaking of taking action , read on page 34 how nursing students , who received a leadership development grant from the FNSNA , created a Stop the Bleed ( STB ) initiative . They even taught courses at their state convention ! The Reflections column on page 40 also displays a nursing student ’ s efforts to create and donate masks . Furthermore , the Happenings and Up Close column also feature some spectacular SNA organizations and students . Let ’ s celebrate these NSNA members for their achievements ! I hope they inspire you to be leader within your own organizations .
Thank you for reading this issue . If you have any feedback , please let us know . Your voice matters to us . To thank you for reading Imprint on our new digital platform , I ’ m excited to announce that the FNSNA is once again offering a drawing to win a $ 500 scholarship ! At the end of this issue , there is a quiz for you to fill out which enters you in the drawing . Good luck !
I know at this time of the year , most of us have just wrapped up finals . You did it ! Please use this time to rest and take care of yourselves . Make your mental health and wellbeing a priority . See you all in 2021 !
Andrea Romano Imprint Editor
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