As we move into the festive holiday season, there are many different emotions that come up for each of us. For me, the holidays are my favorite time of the year. I turn on holiday music, make holiday plans for my family, do some shopping, and find fun events to do in my hometown. Many of us have to work on the holidays, which can be difficult when juggling family obligations and trying to be in the holiday spirit. I am one of those unusual people who loved working my 8- or 12-hour shift at the hospital on a holiday. Everyone was usually in a good mood, wearing holiday scrubs, the census was a little bit low or at least stable, and everyone participated in the unit potluck.  We bonded over those holiday shifts and the memories we created together as a team. 

Teamwork is needed, especially around the holidays. I know I could not get through these months without my team. At AMSN, we have a team of staff who are ready to help our medical-surgical nurses accomplish their educational and professional goals. As we launch our new Medical-Surgical Monitor online publication in the spring of 2024, the staff is working on providing the type of content that will be relevant and add value for our members. The Monitor will include peer-reviewed research by an AMSN Editorial Committee, evidence-based practice articles, and quality improvement ideas for medical-surgical nurses. For now, stay up to date with the latest AMSN content on the AMSN Blog. The AMSN team is also working on improving the process for our PRISM award applicants and award recipients. We have a new application which just launched in 2023, and we already have 10 applicants! The AMSN staff assisted the program planning committee in creating a wonderful 2023 Annual Convention in Las Vegas. Now they are working hard to plan the 2024 Annual Convention, which will be in Toronto, Ontario! We are now accepting abstracts for podium presentations, please apply here by Jan. 15, 2024, and share your knowledge and expertise with AMSN and the medical-surgical nursing community.

Lastly, the holidays make me thankful for the many blessings in my life: my family, my friends, my work with AMSN, and in my nursing community. Each of these areas has given me the ability to meet new people, to grow as a nurse and as a person, and to learn something new each and every day. I would like to say thank you to the many people in my life … you have helped to guide and shape the nurse leader I am today. I hope your holiday season is filled with what you cherish the most this year. Happy holidays.