Adj. Prof. Alanna Geary
2022 is proving to be as challenging as 2021. While COVID-19 is ever present and the associated ramifications that it has on our staff and patients continues to cause us reason for concern, we remain challenged with activity and the complexities of healthcare. I am always so pleased to lead what I see to be the most exemplary and professional workforce.
As many of you would have realised, I have been moving around the health service this week striding it out on a treadmill to shine the light on the profession I am so proud to lead. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to say hello, have a chat, provide me with the occasional comfort break, sweet treats, coffee and of course donations. Your involvement, however you choose, has been so appreciated.
I chose this week to walk to demonstrate to our non-nursing colleagues, our patients, their loved ones, and the public more broadly the fact that you are tireless in your pledge to the profession. Me walking on a treadmill for eight hours a day is but a drop in the ocean compared to what you contribute each and every day. While acknowledging us, it is a way to raise funds for future nurses and midwives who will have access to undertake research and/or pursue educational opportunities. Thank you for what you do, your resilience, your commitment to Metro North and the patients in our care.
The theme this year for International Day of the Nurse is “A Voice to Lead”. What that means for us, as the largest workforce in health, is that we use our individual and united voices, drawing on our years of education and expert practice to ensure that we protect, support and invest in our profession. In doing this we will strengthen our health systems to ensure appropriate outcomes for patients and the families in our care and enable future generations of nurses to build on our legacy.
In the next few days and in the coming weeks there will plenty of opportunities to acknowledge our wonderful contribution and our amazing colleagues. I am very aware of the individual facility honours that are currently being bestowed and soon we will also have the Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Awards, which is a culmination of all the individual facility accolades with overall winners. We also have the upcoming Research Awards where one wonderful individual will be awarded the Joan Webster Award for Nursing and Midwifery Research. I am always proud of nursing and midwifery staff in Metro North but when we can acknowledge significant achievement, and those that go above and beyond I am so very pleased, and extremely chuffed!
On this our “special” day I thank you for your professionalism, your compassion and teamwork. Please know that you are most valued in Metro North, not only by me but by all executive leads and the Metro North Board. Today is all about you and it is sincerely hoped that you are able to enjoy the day with your colleagues and celebrate the amazing contribution you make. Together we will continue to improve what we do and the way we do it.
As I conclude this message, if you do nothing else today… be kind. I know that you will be kind to your patients and their loved ones… it is what we are known for, but also be kind to yourself and to your colleagues. Have a wonderful International Nurses Day 2022.
“Life is short, work somewhere awesome.” #proudtobeCNMOMetroNorth
Regards,
Alanna