This past June, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) held its 2025 Congress in Helsinki, Finland. This meeting brings together over 6,000 nurses from more than 130 countries to discuss the most important issues and concerns facing our profession. ICN President Pamela Cipriano declared at the conference’s opening, “This is a time for action, a time when we advocate for a world where health care is stronger, fairer, and more compassionate” (Cipriano, 2025). Her inspirational speech was directed not just to those present but to the global nursing workforce. The conference theme, “Nursing Power Can Change the World,” represents more than just a slogan—it acknowledges the vital role nurses play as “catalysts for change that transcends borders, backgrounds, and generations” (Cipriano, 2025).

In the United States, we have inspiring examples of nurses who have truly changed the world. When I consider impactful instances of nurses standing together, I think back to the Miss America Pageant in 2015. One of the finalists, Miss Colorado, was a nurse. Instead of performing the typical song or playing an instrument during the talent portion, Miss Colorado delivered a brilliant monologue about her experiences as a nurse caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s (NJ.com, 2015). She took the stage in navy-blue scrubs, a white watch band, sneakers, and a stethoscope draped around her neck. She embodied the image of a nurse that most people recognize. However, that image was unfamiliar to the co-hosts of The View. The day after the pageant, one of the hosts asked, “Why does she have a doctor’s stethoscope around her neck?” while the other host chimed in and made fun of the monologue and the nurse.

The national reaction on social media was immediate. Responses on Facebook and Twitter surged by the hour, demanding the firing of the TV show hosts. Thousands of respondents pointed out that it was a nurse’s stethoscope. They noted that nurses have their own stethoscopes, and explained their roles and how they use them. The hosts faced individual criticism for denigrating the “most noble profession.” The backlash on social media was intense and continued trending, with many urging corporations to cancel their advertising. Numerous large, recognizable sponsors did pause or withdraw their support for the show. The healthcare company Johnson & Johnson, for example, halted its advertising for The View and stated how much it values, appreciates, and respects the vital role that nurses play. In response to the repercussions and unanticipated reaction, the major networks created opportunities for nurses to appear on their shows and discuss their roles, with or without a stethoscope. What began as dismissive comments ballooned to a dynamic response with widespread support for nurses. This incident illustrated President Cipriano’s point. Nurses recognized this was a “time for action”. When we stand together and advocate, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

Right now in Ohio, we are facing a time when we must stand together and push back, as nurses did in 2015. But this time it is against policies that harm our patients. The current policy landscape at both state and national levels has introduced significant uncertainty. We must allow our integrity, values, and the Code of Ethics to guide us through these challenging times in healthcare. This is not a political issue; these are policy issues that impact patients’ lives, our communities, and ourselves as nursing professionals. This month, ANA-Ohio will host our annual meeting. Join us, and stand united as nurses who can change the world.

Reference

Cipriano, P. (2025, June 9-13). Nursing power can change the world [Opening Address]. International Council of Nurses. Helsinki, Finland.

NJ.com (2015, Sept, 10). Miss Colorado skips song and dance, talks about nursing [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYoCW1DQWQE