The Administration’s proposed $4.8 trillion 2021 budget cuts med-surg nursing funding priorities – and AMSN and The Nursing Community are working to restore the funding. In its 2021 budget released Feb. 10, the Administration proposed:

By now most of you know that AMSN is working on a new AMSN website. I’ve talked in a couple of my columns about AMSN’s new website and AMSN President Robin Hertel told attendees about it at our convention in September.

I’ve shared my story about my first convention with you previously. What I haven’t told you about that convention is that my colleague and I also attended the AMSN Certification Review Course prior to the start of convention and then stayed over an extra day to sit for the certification examination which was in a paper and pencil format.

Med-Surg nursing is not only its own specialty, it is the foundation of all nursing specialties. As Med-Surg nurses we specialize in the care of increasingly complex patients with a dizzying array of illnesses. Our patients present for medical care, trauma care, surgical procedures, and even end-of-life care.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, dedicating some time to something you love is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday. Of course, we share the love with friends and family, but how much time to you share the love with yourself by doing something just for you? You are kind and care for others – it’s a part of who you are as a nurse.

The world is going increasingly digital. That shouldn’t be a surprise to any of you, all you have to do is look around you at almost every corner of your life to see the impact technology and digitalization are having. AMSN is embracing technology and digital tools to help you demonstrate your achievements and easily share your accomplishments.

Your voice matters – watch your email for the AMSN 2020 Legislative Survey! So that AMSN’s agenda and advocacy may align with the issues and actions members find most important, watch your email inbox and click to answer. Your voice will help ensure that AMSN’s voice is strong and consistent with the values and priorities of med-surg nursing!

On occasion I have wondered whether my role as a nurse has had much of an impact. I realize that caring for a patient is important to the patient and their family, but I felt like I needed to have a larger, more encompassing impact. This was actually one of the reasons I went into education and why I began my service as a volunteer with AMSN.

Welcome to 2020, the start of a new decade and the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, brought to us by The World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization. I’m so excited to have a full year to celebrate you, our members!

If you are anything like me, you live much of the year with urgency and a list containing too many things to accomplish. While it’s important to live life with passion, are we focusing on the right things – the things that truly matter?