Editorial
Welcome to the spring season ! I hope you
are all starting to feel the sunshine and enjoy the world slowly reopening . From the warmer weather to the vaccine distributions , there is plenty to celebrate . Over the past year , we saw how nurses and healthcare workers all came together to tackle the pandemic . Our body of nurses and patients in the United States includes people with all different , unique backgrounds . This issue of Imprint tackles why representation matters . There are underrepresented groups that deserve to be seen and celebrated . Let ’ s come together , as we have always done , and reflect how we can make nursing more diverse and inclusive .
What ’ s your pronoun ? This saying is now just as important as asking a patient where they live . As healthcare progresses , we know that gender and sexuality is much more complex than ever before . On page 19 , Richard Cook writes about the transgender community and how we should care for transgender patients . Another community that is often forgotten is the rural community . Unfortunately , patients in rural communities face a lack of resources and healthcare workers , leading to greater healthcare disparities and outcomes . On page 29 , Dr . Sandie Nadelson discusses this problem and how we , as nurses , can help .
Aside from certain patient populations needing greater representation , nursing students need help too . It ’ s vital that underrepresented students receive guidance and support so that they are ready to enter the nursing profession . Emilia Salazar discusses , on page 42 , her experience as a Hispanic nursing student . She explains how having a Hispanic nursing instructor helped her feel accepted and seen . If you or anyone else you know feels like Emilia , read the recommendations for success for Hispanic / Latino nursing students on page 16 .
As Convention approaches , recognize that you are a member of the diverse world of NSNA . Attending Convention gives you an opportunity to represent yourself , your school , and your unique background . Read about how NSNA embraces the pivot and changes made to the NSNA Virtual 69 th Annual Convention on page 24 . Also , if you are interested in serving on the NSNA Board or NEC , Jennifer Bustos from the NEC discusses how to run for a position on page 27 . If you haven ’ t done so already , please register now for the Convention . The NSNA Board of Directors and I hope to see you there virtually from April 5-10 , 2021 .
See you at Convention ,
Andrea Romano Imprint Editor
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