Full Speed Ahead

As we head in to the year ahead, I think of the words “full throttle.” All of the goals we want to accomplish! Accomplishment takes leadership, and each member of our organization is a leader in one way or another. We have our Resource Specialist Groups, EN411 program, workplace violence legislation, and of course, all of our educational opportunities for our members.

Nurses are always at the forefront of getting things accomplished. There has been considerable research about the characteristics that typify successful people. Most experts who have studied this subject tend to agree that the single most important factor is an overpowering need to achieve. Achieving is what emergency nurses do each day. Emergency nurses manage each day to care for individuals with illness and injury, despite roadblocks such as crowding and patient safety. In addition to achievement, there are other terms I think of when describing our profession.

When considering emergency nurses, there are several characteristics that come to mind at once. Perseverance is one of the primary characteristics of an emergency nurse—following through on commitments and accomplishing objectives when difficulties are encountered. Emergency nurses persevere until their work is completed. Another primary characteristic of emergency nurses is resourcefulness. Emergency nurses have the ability to solve one-of-a-kind challenges in unique and creative ways, including handling challenges with which they may not have had previous experience. You always find that solution for your patients that serves their best interest.

Lastly, ED nurses have both strong communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. All types of crises involving multiple languages, a diverse patient population, and multiple cultures comprise a normal day for most of us, yet we manage to effectively communicate, educate, and instruct thousands of patients each day.

These characteristics will allow our organization to achieve its goals over the next year. Our work is ever changing and always challenging. With perseverance and resourcefulness, we as an organization of nurses who want to achieve will get our job done. I look forward to working with each of you over this next year to make it the most accomplished year ever.