Some two dozen nursing leaders came together for an evening of brainstorming about the future of nursing and the Colorado Nurses Foundation. The session, led by Sara Jarrett, CNF president (in photo at right), and Lola Fehr, a long time board member (left), engaged in lively discussion and serious debate.

Among the ideas and issues raised were:

►how to help nurses become certified (certification is a key word now and for the future)

►find partnerships that help define different models of health care that emphasize nursing

►bring health care to all (or at least many more) through nursing clinics

►enhance education and communications on all matters about nursing

►create an environment (as in schools) where the faculty promote and participate in the association and get the students to participate

►develop mentorship programs

►engage in public policy advocacy

►provide micro grants for point of care research

►focus on the meaning of the nursing shortage (as it comes and goes in various ways)

►deal with the issue of "nursing burnout" and why it is that so many new graduates drop out of nursing within a few years

►become involved in international projects, exercise a global influence

►provide support for nursing students

►address the issue of abusive and disruptive behavior at all levels

►how can we co-create a profession that we want and package it so others will support it?

►what can we do to empower nurses to use the principles of optimism to help overcome an environment of negativity

►we need to build a bridge from the present to the future

Most delegates stayed beyond adjournment to continue discussions. A committee will expand upon the key ideas within the context of the goals and objectives of CNF.

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