Letter from the NJSNA President
Hello, fellow nurses,
As our communities, including the nursing community, remains affected by the pandemic, some things are returning to some sort of normalcy. I’m sure that you, like I am, are grateful for the increased ability to gather and the chance to visit with relatives and friends who are vaccinated. My parents, in their 80s, being fully vaccinated, have begun to trust they can more safely accept invitations out of doors in small gatherings. This as we prepare for the return of larger family gatherings to celebrate baby and bridal showers and weddings, delayed by the stricter restrictions over the past year or so.
Being aware of the great need for a strong public health infrastructure can only be truly appreciated during stressful times. This includes those who are educating and providing information to family and friends as the roll out has had to overcome many challenges.
As we continue to vaccinate, thank you to all who have volunteered through the New Jersey’s Medical Reserve Corps in your county and those who have accepted compensation for participating in vaccination clinics. We are in the midst of a public health plan that could only be successful for the great work you are doing.
And now for a nurses service announcement, please continue to take care of you! Efforts of Healthy Nurse Healthy New Jersey committee have been a terrific source of camaraderie and release. Taking the pledge is an easy way to begin learning more from a dedicated group of New Jersey nurses! And by texting, RNConnectNJ to 60298, nurses are sharing simple and easy tips, sent twice weekly, with links to additional resources for nurses while demonstrating our commitment to each other and helping our committee with continued efforts for a chance at additional funding for New Jersey’s Healthy Nurse initiative! It’s a win-win!
Finally, I want send thanks and unending gratitude for all you do. Wishing you moments of peace, no matter how small, during this 2021 Nurse’s Week!
Blue skies,
Mary Ellen Levine, DNP MSN RN
President
New Jersey State Nurses Association
References
New Jersey State Nurses Association. (2020). Healthy Nurse, Healthy NJ: Pledge. Retrieved at https://njsna.org/healthy-nurse/
State of New Jersey Department of Health. (2019). Medical reserve corps. Retrieved on May 2, 2021 at https://www.nj.gov/health/lh/njmrc/
