Every day across Michigan, nurses make decisions that change lives. Sometimes those moments happen at the bedside. Sometimes they happen in classrooms, boardrooms, community clinics, or legislative offices. Regardless of where we practice, one thing remains true: leadership isn’t defined by a title, it’s defined by our willingness to step forward, connect with and inspire others, and to work collaboratively toward a common goal.

One of the greatest strengths of our profession is that none of us must lead alone. We are connected by a legacy of nurses who challenged the status quo, advanced our profession, and advocated for better care. By learning from one another, sharing our experiences, and uniting our voices, we transform individual acts of leadership into collective action that shapes the future of health care.

At ANA-Michigan, we believe connection is one of the most powerful leadership tools we have. When nurses share ideas, learn from one another, and build relationships across specialties and practice settings, we strengthen not only our individual careers but the future of nursing throughout our state.

Our mission extends beyond providing membership—we are building a professional community where every nurse has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and lead. Whether your passion is education, advocacy, leadership development, networking, or professional practice, ANA-Michigan offers multiple pathways to become involved. No matter where you are in your nursing journey, there is a place for you to connect, share your expertise, and help shape the future of our profession.

Leadership looks different to everyone. It may mean mentoring a new graduate nurse, serving on a committee, improving a process within your organization, advocating for patients, or speaking up about an issue that affects your community. Every action matters. Every voice contributes.

That is why ANA-Michigan continues to invest in opportunities that help nurses grow as leaders at every stage of their careers. This fall, we’re excited to offer programs designed to educate, inspire, and connect our members, including:

• The Empowered Leader Series is a seven-week virtual leadership development program designed to equip nurses at every stage of their leadership journey with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead effectively in today’s evolving healthcare environment. Through interactive sessions with national and regional experts, participants will explore evidence-based leadership practices, engage in self-assessment and reflection, and apply learning to real-world healthcare scenarios. Graduates will earn 14 Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) contact hours and an ANA-Michigan ELS Micro-Credential Certificate of Completion, recognizing their commitment to professional leadership development.
• Driving Nursing Excellence: Best Practices from Michigan Magnet Organizations is a dynamic virtual townhall highlighting innovative research, evidence-based practice (EBP), and quality improvement (QI) projects from Magnet®-recognized hospitals. Through brief, high-impact presentations, participants will gain practical insights, learn from peers, and explore strategies that can be applied across diverse care settings to advance patient outcomes and professional nursing practice. This interactive forum celebrates the collaborative work driving clinical excellence and the continued pursuit of Magnet standards.

These opportunities are about more than professional development, they are about creating meaningful connections that strengthen our profession. They bring nurses together to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and collaborate on solutions that improve healthcare for patients, communities, and the nursing workforce.

As we look forward to the months ahead, I encourage you to consider how you can deepen your connection with ANA-Michigan and with fellow nurses. Attend an event. Volunteer for a committee during our October Committee Call. Share your expertise. Mentor a colleague. Participate in conversations that shape the future of health care. Leadership begins with engagement, and engagement begins with connection.

The challenges facing health care today cannot be solved by any one individual or organization. But together, nurses represent one of the most trusted and influential professions in the world. When we unite around our shared purpose, our collective voice becomes impossible to ignore.

Connection creates community. Community creates leadership. And leadership creates change.

Thank you for being part of ANA-Michigan. Thank you for sharing your expertise, your compassion, and your commitment to advancing nursing. I look forward to connecting with you throughout the coming months as we continue building a stronger profession—and a healthier Michigan—together.