One of my friends recently mentioned that she always enjoys being in a group of nurses. "We understand each other so well," she said. I knew what she meant. We've all been educated in science, the nursing process, and nursing theory. We have a common vocabulary. We are part of an intellectual profession which is rooted in a deep desire to improve wellness for individuals and communities. You could say we have a nursing culture that makes us comfortable with other nurses.
Many of our colleagues devote their entire careers to hands on care of people. Others take different routes. The current edition of NAQ, Always a Nurse, shares first person accounts of some who now practice in areas as diverse as architecture, administration, law, and elected public service. Please read their stories and share them with others. If you have ever been tempted to say that those who are no longer "at the bedside" have "left Nursing", their stories will change your perspective. These authors are employed in a variety of fields, but at the core, they are nurses. They haven't left the profession. They have carried it with them, along with the combination of intellect and love that defines Nursing.
Thank you for Choosing to Lead,
Kathy Sanford
