New Jersey Nurse - April 2021

April 2021 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 3
CEO Report
President’s Report
Judy Schmidt, CEO
The COVID-19 virus and pandemic continue to
challenge us as nurses. In New Jersey, we were fortunate,
after the surge in the beginning of 2020, to have a small
respite with a decrease in the transmission rate (RT) and
hospitalizations. The Fall of 2020 and the early Winter
of 2021 has challenged us again. In addition, we are
seeing many nurses suffering with Post Traumatic Stress
Symptoms (PTSS). There is help available privately and
in groups. If you need help, please seek it out, do not be
embarrassed, you are not alone.
Our Healthy Nurse Healthy NJ Committee continues
Judith Schmidt
to offer programs on resilience and other topics that will help us get through
this continuing public health emergency. Other groups offering assistance
are the NJ Healthcare Workers COVID Hope & Healing Hotline Rutgers
University Behavioral Healthcare (https://healhealthcareworkers.com) and
#FirstRespondersFirst (www.firstrespondersfirst.com).
Nurses must educate not only patients but family, friends and co-workers on
the need to keep up on safety measures, handwashing, social distancing, facial
coverings and vaccinations. Seek out information that comes from reliable health
care resources not social media posts and blogs. Nurses must continue educating
and re-educating everyone about this unrelenting virus until reliable evidencebased
treatments become the norm. Special attention needs to be paid to the
younger generation who often feel that they are invincible or will have minimal
effects from exposure. We have seen their lack of understanding of the long-term
negative consequences with texting while driving, diving into shallow waters,
underage drinking and illegal drug use.
As I stated in our October 2020 edition of the NJ Nurse, NJSNA is challenging
legislators both on the state and, in collaboration with the American Nurses
Association (ANA), the federal level to ensure that healthcare workers are not
put in the same situation again this year and into the future. Nurses should not
be asked to risk their health and wellbeing to help combat any pandemic without
appropriate equipment, staff availability and health care policies. Infection
prevention groups must not “bend” the infection prevention rules as we have seen
in the past.
Again, I implore you to read both the “Nightingale Pledge” and follow the
ANA Code of Ethics. In both is the inference of advocacy. You must continually
advocate for yourself and your profession. There is strength in numbers. The New
Jersey State Nurses Association cannot do this alone. We need your help. Call
your state and federal representatives and tell them your COVID experiences.
Ask them to support, demand and ensure that all healthcare workers will be
guaranteed a safe working environment. Healthcare was stretched to the limit in
2020, nurses must make sure that 2021 does not repeat 2020.
Nightingale Pledge: https://www.truthaboutnursing.org/press/pioneers/
nightingale_pledge.html#gsc.tab=0
ANA Code of Ethics
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/codeof-ethics-for-nurses/coe-view-only/
Mary Ellen Levine, DNP. MSN, RN, CHPN,
NJSNA President
"To do what nobody else will do, in a way that
nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through...
that is what it is to be a nurse." - Rawsi Williams, RN
I am truly humbled to be serving as your 48th
President of New Jersey State Nurses Association.
January 16th was a truly memorable day. I am
honored to be serving and as the first NJSNA
President to be installed virtually. I am grateful to say
so many nurses and family members (over 90!) were Mary Ellen Levine
able to attend. It was emotional to not be in person,
especially under the circumstances. The good wishes and kind words were a
blessing.
I feel so blessed to be supported and prepared by NJSNA Past President
Kate Gillespie and CEO Judy Schmidt, the NJSNA Board of Directors, and
you, the membership. I am eternally grateful for the wisdom and guidance
shared while I carve my own path in these especially uncertain times.
While in office, top priorities will include promoting, advancing, and
advocating for all New Jersey nurses as we continue to fight this pandemic.
The pandemic has not only shown how nurses strive to safely and effectively
work within the healthcare team, but also our strength to support each other.
"Healthy Nurse Healthy New Jersey" continues to be at the forefront
of supporting our mind, body and spirit in these especially difficult times.
Through the Governor's continuation of the executive order to foster the
creativity and fluidity of the advanced practice nurse, they more freely
provide for the mental and physical health of New Jersey's residents. We
are part of the mass inoculation efforts, as well. We are enmeshed in every
corner of our communities, often at increased risk, being away from family
and friends.
In a time in history when there is information overload with virus updates,
social unrest, and economic hardship, I chose the theme for my presidency to
be, "Education and Communication."
Education is an essential service of the NJSNA and an integral part of
our Strategic Plan, along with legislation, membership, and leadership.
Communication, or the exchange of information, is paramount as we
reach out to our patients, our families, and amongst ourselves with words,
body language, and connectedness that we continue to support each other
and continue to grow our association.
I am also grateful to those who are and continue to be on the frontlines
of healthcare. Thank you for all you do and continue to do every day! I look
forward to continuing the good work of past President Kate Gillespie, upon
the foundation of all the past presidents, and with the NJSNA Board of
Directors, each of the Regions, and you, the nurses of New Jersey during this
time of continued challenges, growth, and hope.
Stay safe and be well.
Find your NJ Legislators by municipality
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/municipalities.asp
Find your US Congress Representatives
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/NJ