PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
DR. BEVERLY MALONE, PhD, RN, FAAN, past president of the American Nurses Association and President and CEO of the National League for Nursing, has long reminded nurse leaders: “If we are not there, someone else will be. We must be visible, we must be vocal, and we must be valued.”
Those words speak clearly to this moment for the Nebraska Nurses Association.
Coming out of our 2026 Convention, NNA has momentum. We honored 120 years of Nebraska nurses, celebrated the legacy of our association, and looked toward the future of the profession we serve. More importantly, we gathered as a reminder that nursing’s voice is strongest when we are organized, connected, and willing to show up.
That momentum did not happen by accident. It happened because of nurses and leaders across NNA who were willing to lean into the work before us. To our Board of Directors, committee members, taskforce members, volunteers, staff, partners, and members: thank you. The progress we have made reflects your commitment, your ideas, your time, and your belief in what NNA can continue to become.
That is where I believe our next chapter begins.
In 2027, one of my hopes is that NNA continues to strengthen its presence across Nebraska. By presence, I do not mean simply being seen. I mean being part of conversations early, listening well, building trust, and making sure the voice of nursing is present before decisions are already made.
Nursing touches every part of health care, education, public health, workforce development, policy, and community life. If nurses are impacted by major health care decisions, then nurses must also be part of shaping those decisions.
That kind of presence is built through relationships long before the urgent moment arrives. It is built with nursing organizations, health care associations, academic leaders, public health partners, rural health leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders. Sometimes NNA may lead. Sometimes we may support. Sometimes our most important role may be connecting people who need to be in the same room.
At the end of the day, there is something powerful about what I think of as the Nebraska way: when we give our word, it matters.
Trust is built one conversation, one commitment, and one follow-through at a time. When NNA shows up prepared, listens before speaking, and follows through on our commitments, we strengthen not only our association but the profession of nursing across Nebraska.
As we grow, we also have a responsibility to be wise stewards of that growth. This is not about slowing down momentum. It is about protecting it.
Good leadership creates the conditions where people can do good work and continue wanting to do the work. Vision, energy, and passion matter. But strong leadership also requires clarity, structure, communication, and follow-through. Without those pieces, even the best intentions can become scattered.
Maybe that is the old coach in me, but talent alone does not build a winning team. A team also needs a playbook, shared expectations, and trust that everyone understands the direction we are moving together.
For NNA, this next season is about continuing to move forward while strengthening the foundation underneath us. That means building relationships before we need them, clarifying processes before they become barriers, and making sure the progress we have made becomes part of how we operate, not just something we celebrate in the moment.
Nebraska nurses are present in every corner of our state. Our association should reflect that same reach by staying connected across organizations, prepared for policy conversations, and present in the spaces where decisions are being shaped.
As we enter 2027, I kindly encourage each of us to think about how NNA can continue showing up with purpose. What conversations should nurses be part of earlier? Where can we listen, lead, support, or connect? What commitments do we need to make, and how will we follow through?
We have momentum.
Now we have the opportunity to turn that momentum into presence, trust, and lasting impact.
With gratitude,
Blake K. Smith, MSN, RN, FADLN, FAAN
President, Nebraska Nurses Association
