Editorial
Hey NSNA members ,
Well everyone , the time for “ lasts ” is upon us . Some of you are taking your last exams , and I am writing my final editorial as Imprint Editor . I want to thank all of you for allowing me the opportunity to serve on the Board as your Imprint Editor . As motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said , “ Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary .” I may be biased , but I truly believe that Imprint readers are the cream of the crop .
Congratulations to 2023 graduates ! This issue of Imprint is all about managing the transition from nursing student to new graduate nurse . It can be overwhelming to think about getting a job and passing the NCLEX all at once . Dr . Giselle Melendez and Kelly Siciliano have you covered on page 29 where they will walk you through the playbook on starting your new career .
We learn so much about nursing considerations for medical diagnoses and not nearly enough about care implications for the many types of patients we will meet . What would you do if a victim of human trafficking walked into your Emergency Department ? Could you identify them ? Dr . Gregory Knapik expertly explains the ins and outs of caring for this vulnerable patient population on page 33 .
As your time in NSNA comes to an end , have you started thinking about joining another professional nursing organization ( PNO )? Student Faith Geho writes all about the motivating factors and barriers to joining PNOs on page 37 . Once you determine what you want out of your PNO experience , head to the Image of Nursing Committee Report on page 40 learn about exclusive membership rates for numerous organizations and much more .
Thank you to everyone who attended the NSNA 71st Annual Convention in Nashville this April ! From the Opening Ceremony , Keynote Address , to the Endnote Address ( and of course the Exhibit Hall excitement in between ) it was truly a transcendent experience . See highlights from the Convention on page 12 . If Convention sparked an inner desire to get more involved than be sure to register for the 2023 NSNA Leadership U Summer Summit ! Grow your leadership skills with presentations from prominent nursing leaders , the NSNA Board of Directors , and more ! Head to www . nsnasummerconference . org for more information .
As you get ready to resuscitate , here ’ s three little tips from someone completely unqualified to be giving new grad advice :
1 . Once life begins running from shift-to-shift instead of semester-to-semester , time begins to slip that much easier . Find little bits of joy and excitement in the mundane Mondays and the pre-work coffee runs .
2 . Skip the dreaded event scheduled ever-so inconveniently on the first day off after a three day stretch of shifts . Your mental health matters more than anything else . You can ’ t show up for anyone else if you don ’ t show up for yourself first .
3 . Write down how you feel about nursing now in a journal or your notes app . When you notice your rose-colored glasses fading to grey , look back at your words and remember how this profession once made you feel . You can change units , hospitals , or even specialties if you feel so inclined . Whatever you do , please don ’ t let nursing change you . Remember the kind of nurse you always vowed to become when your time came ? It ’ s time .
Best wishes to the class of 2023 !. •
Azariah Torain Imprint Editor
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