As summer in Michigan winds down, we are all working hard to get some last-minute family and relaxation time in before transitioning into the fall season. It is also a year where we as a nation and even as an organization are going through change. ANA-Michigan has new strategies and goals as well as opportunities to collaborate and impact healthcare. As a new President for ANA-Michigan, I too am looking for ways to engage our members and lead change that will continue to build a vibrant organization. I cant do that alone or even with our Board of Directions without the engagement from our great ANA-Michigan members. When I think of the passion and dedication that nurses bring, I believe that we can have the power to transform healthcare systems, policies, our professional organization and most importantly, the lives of our patients and those that we serve. As professionals, we have several effective ways to use engagement for creating change:

1. Advocacy: Using your voice to advocate for policy changes at local, regional, or national levels. Leveraging your voice with others in a professional nursing organization such as ANA-Michigan to share information and influence change.
2. Self-Care: Take care of your own well-being to sustain your capacity for advocacy and engagement. Balancing professional responsibilities with self-care ensures that you remain resilient and effective in your efforts to create positive change.
3. Education: Share your knowledge and expertise with colleagues, patients, and the community. By educating others about important health issues, you can raise awareness and empower people to make informed decisions.
4. Patient-Centered Care: Advocate for patient-centered approaches that prioritize individual preferences, needs, and values. By championing patient advocacy, you can promote equitable access to quality healthcare services.
5. Community Engagement: Get involved in community health initiatives, volunteer programs, or outreach activities. By engaging directly with communities, you can identify their needs and advocate for resources and support.
6. Leadership: Take on roles within your organization or professional associations. Leadership positions provide opportunities to influence policy, promote evidence-based practice, and foster a culture of innovation.
7. Collaboration: Work collaboratively with committees, interdisciplinary teams, policymakers, and stakeholders to address complex healthcare challenges. Collaboration allows for diverse perspectives and collective action toward achieving common goals.
8. Use of Technology: Leverage technology and social media platforms to amplify your message, raise awareness, and mobilize support for change initiatives.
9. Continuous Learning: Stay informed about emerging trends, best practices, and advancements in healthcare. Continuous learning enables you to adapt to evolving challenges and contribute effectively to improvement efforts.
10. Research: Contribute to research projects that address gaps in healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, or healthcare disparities. Research findings can influence policy decisions and clinical practices.

By leveraging these strategies, we can effectively use engagement to advocate for change and contribute to a more equitable and patient-centered healthcare system.

So, as you consider increasing your voice, consider upping your engagement within ANA-Michigan and using our professional nursing organization for both personal and collective professional growth. Here are some ways to get involved:

1. Join Committees: ANA-Michigan has committees focused on various aspects of nursing practice, education, policy, and advocacy. Joining a committee allows you to contribute your expertise and perspectives to specific areas of interest. Look for calls for new ad-hoc or advisory committees starting.
2. Attend Conferences and Events: Participate in conferences, workshops, townhalls, and webinars. These events provide opportunities for networking, continuing education, and staying updated on current trends and research in nursing.
3. Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to assist with organizing events, coordinating activities, or supporting initiatives. Volunteering demonstrates your commitment to the profession and allows you to make valuable contributions.
4. Publish and Present: Share your knowledge and experiences by submitting articles to your organization’s publications or presenting at conferences. Publishing and presenting contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and practice.
5. Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Get involved in advocacy efforts led to influence healthcare policies, regulations, and legislation. Advocate for issues that affect nurses, patients, and the healthcare system.
6. Networking: Build relationships with other nursing professionals through networking events, online forums, and social media platforms. Networking can facilitate collaboration, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement.
7. Leadership or Mentoring Development: Participate in leader or mentoring programs. These programs can enhance your skills, prepare you for new roles within the organization or in your professional practice.
8. Continuing Education: Take advantage of educational resources, webinars, and courses offered. Continuing education helps you stay current with best practices and advancements in nursing.
9. Membership Engagement: Provide feedback, participate in surveys, and contribute ideas to help shape the direction and priorities of your organization. Your input and voice as a member is valuable in guiding organizational decisions.
10. Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization and the nursing profession. Support initiatives that promote cultural competence, address health disparities, and ensure equitable opportunities for all nurses.

Engaging actively with ANA-Michigan as your professional nursing organization not only benefits your own professional development but also strengthens the voice of nurses in advocating for high-quality patient care and advancing the nursing profession as a whole.

At ANA-Michigan we are working to ramp up member engagement and make sure that every nurse can use their voice to bring forward key issues and challenges facing our professional practice. I hope you will embrace your role, use your voice, and engage to help ANA-Michigan drive meaningful and positive change. Every action you take, every word you speak, has the potential to create a ripple effect of compassion, innovation, and healing. Together, we can strive to build a future where our nursing practice, health equity, patient-centered care, and excellence are the cornerstones.

Your engagement and voice matters— use it boldly, use it wisely, and use it for good.

Barbara R. Medvec DNP, RN, MSA, MSN, NEA-BC
President ANA-Michigan