That quote from Maya Angelou is a great opener for why nurses should be more involved in health policy work. There are 80,000 nurses in Colorado. When asked why nurses are not more involved in health policy work, nurses often…

In June, six members of CNA attended the 2024 ANA Annual Membership Assembly in Washington DC. In addition to our Executive Director, Mark Longshore, and Deputy Executive Director, Margaret Bishop, I –

I have often said that while you can pay someone to do a job, you cannot pay them to care. Nurses just do it. It is our most unique superpower.

Imagine a workplace where respect and civility are the norm between co-workers. Imagine where we build up rather than drag down. Imagine where conflict negotiation entertains active listening, respect, and tolerance. Workplace civility fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust,…

Civility in healthcare is more than professional courtesy—it is a crucial component of a safe and healing environment. When healthcare professionals consistently model respect, kindness, and effective communication, they improve their work environment, set a standard for communication with patients,…

Mark Longshore, PhD, RNThe past three months have been eye opening for me. The CNA Board meeting in July was the first with me as Executive Director. Margaret Bishop and I had a good conversation with some of the Board…

Mark Longshore, PhD, RN, CNA Executive Director By the time you read this, the 2025 legislative session will be over – at least the regular session. Writing this in March, the Colorado Nurses Association has already supported or opposed about…

Mark Longshore, PhD, RNWelcome to the 1st Quarter Issue of the Colorado Nurse. If it feels like you just received last quarter’s issue just over a month ago, you are correct. One of two big outward-facing changes that happened with…

At a gala event held on May 18, 2024, the Colorado Nurses Foundation honored seventy-eight nurses as Luminaries in fifteen categories. Fifteen of those Luminaires were presented with Nightingale Awards. CNF was proud to present Nightingale Awards to the following…

The Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA) Nursing Section members are Public Health Nurses (PHNs) employed in urban and rural settings as well as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), fulfilling diverse and complex roles. Our mission is…

As a former Nursing Simulationist and Sim Creator, Forensic Nurse and now as a Coroner, I strongly believe that interprofessional teamwork is of great importance when providing care to others. It should be more than a concept and put into…

As Colorado Nurses Association (CNA) advances through the 2025 legislative session, its increasingly clear that many factors impacting health are not labeled as such. Thus, CNA has engaged with initiatives that are never heard within the Colorado State Legislature’s Health…

The nursing shortage discussion has been around for as long as I have been a nurse…. which is quite a while. We were told in the 1980s that all nurses would have BSNs by the mid-1990s. RNs would play a…

Looking back at the May issue of Colorado Nurse, I saw the introduction of Margaret Bishop, MSN, RN as Deputy Director of the Colorado Nurses Association. Since then, I have been chosen as the Executive Director for CNA. Colleen Casper,…

In 2024, the Nursing Research Advisory & Networking Team (A.N.T.) of the Colorado Nurses Association (CNA) conducted a brief online evidence-based practice (EBP) needs assessment of Colorado nurses. EBP is defined as the application of research findings and other types…

GAPP is best described as the legislative advocacy arm of CNA. An official committee of the Colorado Nurses Association, it meets twice a month during the Colorado State Legislative Session (January to May) and monthly when the session is not…

Lauren Zobec, RN, and Sarah Duart, RN knew there was a problem. The cardiovascular (CV) nurses at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver had noticed a string of open-heart surgery patients being readmitted for sternal wounds and pressure wounds. They identified…

Health is often understood as the absence of disease, but the World Health Organization (WHO) (2024) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” Furthermore, the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics tasks nurses with…

Health in All Policies (HiAP) is a framework that emphasizes the importance of integrating health considerations into all areas of policymaking. A critical aspect of this approach is the recognition that public health is largely impacted by policies outside of…

The Pacific Islander community represents a vibrant and diverse cultural heritage, and within this community, nurses have long played an essential role in health care. Pacific Islander Nurses have not only provided exceptional nursing care but have also fought for…

This quarter, Colorado Nurses Foundation continues our Legendary Leaders series by honoring Dr. Margaret Moss, the first American Indian to hold both a PhD in Nursing and a Juris Doctorate. She is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and…

This is the second in a series of articles from the Colorado Nurses Foundation honoring the legacy of nursing leaders who have defied racism and paved the way for underrepresented nurses. In this issue, we honor Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde. Her…

In the spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion, the Colorado Nurses Foundation has embarked on a program to honor the legacy of nursing leaders who have defied racism and paved the way for underrepresented nurses in the past and today.…

As healthcare continues to grow more complex, many newly graduated nurses feel unprepared for the demands of patient care. Longitudinal clinical placements may offer a more effective alternative to traditional nursing rotations. The Need for a Longitudinal Approach Traditional clinical…

In January my daughter, Dorothy Barrow, gave me an article to read about the National Nurse Honor Guard Coalition and told me that since I was 10+ years retired, I needed to start a chapter in the Denver metro area.…

As a new nurse entering the workforce, you are stepping into a rewarding and challenging career that requires resilience, dedication, and continual learning. You will encounter diverse clinical situations, develop your professional identity, and contribute to patient outcomes in meaningful…

For years, nurses have struggled with mental and emotional well-being due to the inherent demands and stressors of their profession. Nurses experience higher rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and even suicide compared to the general population (Choflet et…

With the elimination of District Nurse Associations and the change to Constituent Associations (CA) voted on at the CNA 2024 Membership Assembly, DNA 20 changed its name to Nurses Furthering Knowledge. We voted to modify our bylaws versus changing to…

In February, Dr. Jean Schroeder, Board Member at Large, presented her personal and professional insights into living with Sjogren’s Disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder. In her presentation, “Sjorgren’s Disease 2,” Dr. Schroeder gave an overview of the pathophysiology of the…

New name, but same nursing professional connections In October, what has been known as DNA 16 (the Denver and eastern district of Colorado Nurses) met and approved moving to a Constituent Association (CA) under the new bylaws of CNA. The…

In partnership with the Colorado Nurses Association and several members of our nursing Constituent Associations (CAs) (Nurses in Action, Nurses Furthering Knowledge) along with GAPP, CNA Executive Directors and CNA’s Board of Directors, we want to acknowledge the most recent…

What resources for NCPD are available through CNA and how does NCPD connect to the Colorado Nurses Association (CNA), specifically? Starting with the global association, membership in the American Nurses Association (ANA) offers multiple tools through the website: www.nursingworld.org You…

Politics, policies, and health outcomes are innately linked. Nurses in the United States are in a pivotal position to influence these cycles to reduce disparities and improve population health. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), are defined as “the circumstances in…

As the demand for highly skilled nurse practitioners (NPs) continues to rise, ensuring the clinical readiness of NP graduates has never been more crucial. Traditional didactic methods, while foundational, often fall short in equipping students with the necessary hands-on experience…

The Denver Chapter of National Association of Hispanic Nurses have partnered with CDPHE’s Alzheimer’s Dementia and Related Dementia Task Force. We recently attended the CO Health Occupations Student Association conference, held at the Denver Sheraton where we met numerous youths…

Defining well-being for nurses, providers, and other healthcare workers is a complex task, often proving to be a challenging and intricate process. The literature suggests that a comprehensive understanding of nurse well-being is still a puzzle, especially in the current…

Mary Satre, MSN, MBA, RN, CNAResearch has long informed us that patients tend to recover faster and better if they are cared for by someone who looks like them. The Sullivan Report, published in 2004, drew attention to the rapidly…

​​A new ANA Code of Ethics has been published and is available for purchase on the ANA website, effective January 2025.

Mary Satre, MSN, MBA, RN, CNASince the last press deadline, there has been a national election, and since the date of our last publication, those who were elected have taken office. Colorado Nurse is limited by this press timetable, so…