As I begin my term as AMSN’s President, I want to thank Robin Hertel for her service as our President for the past two years.

She has been a wonderful leader for AMSN always ensuring AMSN members needs were represented and that our products and services would enhance medical-surgical nurses personal and professional growth.

I am so happy to have her as my mentor and friend as I assume the role of AMSN’s President.

I started my career on a medical-surgical unit, and I now I work as a consultant in medical-surgical environments around the country. Throughout my career, I have experienced opportunities to advance my career simply by saying yes when given an opportunity.

These opportunities ranged from serving on a short-term committee to create a policy where I worked to now serving as AMSN’s President. Each opportunity provided me the chance to expand the lens in which I viewed nursing and the healthcare environment.

I have been an AMSN member for most of my nursing career. I became a member when I said yes to becoming certified and passed the CMSRN exam in 2005. I attended my first AMSN convention in 2010 when I received the Clinical Leadership Award. During that convention, I was asked to become part of AMSN’s Clinical Practice Committee, and I said yes.

I cannot imagine being anything other than a nurse, and I’m so glad I said yes to nursing school (even though that wasn’t much fun!).

After working with the Clinical Practice Committee, I volunteered on the Exemplary Practice Task Force which was the group responsible for actualizing the AMSN PRISM Award^®. Next, I served as the Chair of AMSN’s PRISM Award Committee which was a lot of work but so fun because we got to read all of the PRISM Award applications and select the recipients!

Later, I was asked to consider joining AMSN Board of Directors. Again, after giving this opportunity some thought, I said yes! I really loved AMSN so continuing to serve as one of its leaders was humbling and exciting; plus, I didn’t know if I would ever have another chance to serve on a Board of Directors. I was lucky enough be selected as a Director in 2015, Treasurer in 2018, and President-Elect in 2019.

Saying yes has also benefited me professionally. I said yes to being a preceptor and a charge nurse. I said yes when I was asked to apply for a nurse manager position, and I loved being a nurse manager. By saying yes to serving on committees or workgroups, I was able to attend conferences, present podium, and poster presentations, and most importantly, I got to have a voice in nursing practice.

I cannot imagine being anything other than a nurse, and I’m so glad I said yes to nursing school (even though that wasn’t much fun!).

I completed a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in nursing because I said yes to advancing my nursing knowledge. I cannot imagine being anything other than a nurse, and I’m so glad I said yes to nursing school (even though that wasn’t much fun!).

2020 has been a tough year. I’m certainly ready to say yes to 2021, and I hope it brings all of us health and stability. I urge you to say yes to personal and professional opportunities that bring joy and help you achieve your goals in 2021. Until then, please find time to relax, rejuvenate, and laugh in the final days of 2020 there is no doubt you deserve it.

Thank you for everything you have done to care for your patients and each other this past year and have the best possible holiday season.