The Power of Connection
Cathy Alvarez, MA, BS, RN, HNB-BC, PCCN
Pamela Mulligan BSN, RN, NBC-HWC
The ANA theme for this week of Nurses Month is
Community Engagement
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the
compassionate action of its members.”
CORETTA SCOTT KING
This week is a Perfect Opportunity
Let’s deepen our commitment to move compassion
into action and make change in the world.
Community Engagement is the process of collaborating with groups of people to address issues affecting well-being and develop processes and outcomes to achieve sustainable change. As nurses we know the importance of developing meaningful relationships built on trust, reciprocity, and a shared vision. We work collaboratively with our patients to identify their specific needs and develop personal well-being strategies. We know how one positive interaction, or a simple touch can change someone’s life. After 20 years of nursing, I am still amazed of the impact we can have and the lives we can touch. It is a privilege and an honor.
The Future of Nursing is now. There has never been a more critical time for nurses to raise both our concerns and our voices. With more than 4.5 million nurses in the United States, we have a unique opportunity to change the health of our communities. Our skills, knowledge, and dedication can provide possibilities to address health inequities and improve health and well-being for all. We are here to support you. According to the National Academy of Medicine, integrating this work into practice, education, research, and policies will take both grassroot and system-wide efforts.
As individuals we can begin to shine our light and our unique gifts into the world by practicing self-reflection and fostering connections. Connection to self. Connection with others. Connection to our world. Deepening these relationships allows us to become extraordinary visionaries and healers who use compassion as a force for justice and renewal. This generates strength to recirculate care and grow inspiration and hope.
Connection to Self:
We know the most important way to encourage another’s well-being is by modeling healthy behaviors. Self-reflecting and gaining clarity on what we need, helps us dive deeper into ourselves. We know that when we care for ourselves, we show up more authentically to care for the people we serve. Purposefully being “the change we wish to see in the world” and demonstrating healthy behaviors reinforces our commitment to creating healthy communities.
Take a moment to pause and reflect on your well-being.
Look within yourself and ignite your inner light.
What support do you need to care for yourself?
What nurtures you?
What can you do today to feel more aligned with your needs?
Click here for a 3 min. guided self-connection practice.
Connection to Others:
As nurses we know the importance of education, advocacy, and coaching. We can assist others in reclaiming their own inner strength by establishing trust, performing a holistic health assessment, and identifying potential barriers to health promotion. Assessing one’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, community, and environment helps us recognize the whole person and how their environment may be contributing to their health or furthering disease. Identifying individual needs helps us co-create strategies to support, inspire and empower well-being, that are practical, and evidence based.
Establish presence.
Honor the individual.
Assess all aspects of their being.
What is this person’s unique gifts?
How can we support this person’s needs?
How can we co-create a pathway to well-being?
Learn more about Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love Project whose work inspires and guides us to deepen connections to others.
Connection to Our World:
Nurses are at the forefront to lead the world in shaping new public policies and healthcare standards to improve health equity for all. We know that our nursing role extends past our immediate environments, encompassing relationships, communities, cultures, and the health of the world. Everything is interconnected. We are committed to building bridges that support goals that address the social determinants of health and help build a sustainably healthier world.
To ensure the health and well-being for all humankind we need to seek out opportunities to integrate this work into practice, education, research, and policy settings. As we know evidence-based health policies can help prevent disease and promote health across the life space.
Sit in reflection.
Think about your community or the global community.
What makes this community unique?
What does this community need to be well?
How can you amplify the voices that need support?
How are you called to take action?
Let’s make connections that strengthen our capacity to create paths to health equity and answer the Future of Nursing’s call to lead change.
It is important to form connections and collaborate with individuals and organizations to build bridges and foster change. This week we will be highlighting people and/or organizations that lead change and inspires kindness, care, and compassion on our social media platforms. We hope they will ignite your imagination for how you can use your gifts to create pathways for health, healing, and well-being in your community.
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people
to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”
MARGARET MEAD
Experience the Power of Connection
Join us for a FREE Connection Circle
Tuesday May 25th at 7pm
This one hour facilitated group will offer space to connect with nursing colleagues,
to share experiences, enhance self-compassion, and support well-being.
Nurses Month may officially be closing, but we remain committed to connecting and collaborating with you as our peers. Let’s share our hopes and dreams for the Future so we can continue to Make A Difference. Together
We have a few care packages remaining if you would like some inspiration and support.