2021 Wyoming Nursing Summit & Convention

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2021 WYOMING NURSING SUMMIT & CONVENTION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Tobi Lyon, MBA, CAE “Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people.” – Peter Strople Whether I am reflecting on the last year or the last 18 years, it is not myself I am thinking of as I step down from WNA’s Executive Director position… but each of YOU. I’m confident that WNA is poised for this transition, and my time has come to hand the reins over to a new leader. The legacy that WNA has created for me makes saying goodbye so surreally bittersweet. I could not have predicted the circumstances that have unfolded and the subsequent burnout and nurse staffing shortages, nor am I surprised by the resiliency and sacrifice our nurses have made to combat a global and unrelenting pandemic. Something incredible that has always been true, but specifically in 2021, is the solidarity of WNA. When I started in December of 2003, we were operating with a revenue of $33,276, the reserve savings account had $48,670, and the membership was at 226. Thanks to the board’s strategic vision and thought leadership, today, WNA’s operating revenue is more than four times that amount, and our total membership is 441. Though we have seen some fluctuation, together, we have grown WNA’s membership by 195%. We accomplished a 405% increase in the operating revenue and have increased our reserves by 278%, with WNA having over $135,000 in savings. In a time when our nurses and their families face the loss of loved ones, patients, and income, this is again an unsurprising but genuinely remarkable feat. I feel it speaks to the dedication that the Wyoming nurses have for the vital role WNA plays in the voice of nursing. Thank you to each of YOU for the role and impact in getting WNA to this milestone. I know by me handing WNA over, and it will grow even more under the direction of a new Executive Director. In addition to retaining and growing membership, our primary initiative has been advocating for and supporting our nurses. In our 2021 Strategic Plan, we cited goals around policy, diversity, leadership in the profession, and the prioritization of the health and wellness of nurses. While the legislative committee pushed our strategic agenda, and as we cultivated membership and promoted public health needs at the regional level: perhaps the most crucial focus we had was on the mental health and wellbeing of our nurses. Certain that our affirmations could only do so much, WNA used the nationwide focus on nursing to tell your stories and promote your plight – both through messaging and in the media. Everyone knows the hardship the pandemic has placed on our country’s nurses. What many don’t know is how deep that hardship has hit. A survey conducted by the American Nurses Foundation (available on the ANA website) reported that 40% of nurses indicated they have considered leaving their employer, citing that work affects their health and wellbeing, staffing issues, stressful work environment, and concerns about keeping their own family safe. 34
2021 WYOMING NURSING SUMMIT & CONVENTION The study also reported that of the nurses surveyed, 51% reported being exhausted, 43% reported being overwhelmed, 23% were depressed, 22% were angry, and a mere 21% were optimistic about the future. While these results are devastating to actualize, the statistics on how nurses handle the pandemic’s stress and strain are even more impactful. Only 24% reported having sought professional mental health support, and of the nurses that did not, 52% said they hadn’t needed mental health support, 36% believe they should be able to manage it themselves, and 30% cite a lack of time. Apart from the impactful statistics in the survey, one of the biggest takeaways for me was that some nurses reported not knowing where to access support or indicating that they felt Employee Assistance Programs were not readily available to them. Because nursing support programs exist, WNA is working to identify and implement new ways to communicate this information immediately. We joined with ANF and the Arizona Nurses Association to provide resources to nurses as part of the RNConnect Program. This program was a texting service that provided valuable reminders and resources to nurses to help build resilience and find added strength. We continue to look for accessible ways to support the wellbeing of nurses so that they know they do not stand alone. Sadly, seeking out and accepting mental health support is not always easy for nurses. Some are concerned that if they did seek professional mental health support, they could potentially face licensure issues, retribution by the employer, and stigma from co-workers. These roadblocks to mental healthcare must be removed, and WNA has shifted its prioritization to this. Combine the nursing shortage with the pandemic-weary workforce, and you’ve got a critical industry facing a distressing crisis. It is more important than ever that nurses lean on each other and the institutions which serve them. I am confident that with ANA and WNA programming, faith in each other, the prioritization of self-care, and vaccine efficacy, yours will ultimately be a legacy of endurance and fortitude, and I am committed to serving and supporting you differently. I could not be surer of my predecessor, and I think the solidarity we have secured will evolve WNA. A sincere THANK YOU to every board president and member that I worked with around the board table. You have played a critical role in developing my servant leadership skills and boarding my perspective. I owe a great deal of my success to your expertise and gusto. I mirrored the passion you have for nursing in my career as an association executive. And to each of WNA’s members who have realized the vision of our organization: may your dedication to us and the communities you serve to continue to serve you in return. Together, we will outlast this pandemic. Thank you for the opportunity to serve WNA – it has been an honor, and YOU have created a legacy in my life. 35
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2021 Wyoming Nursing Summit & Convention

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