March and Hope

Abstract

Where I live in Pennsylvania, the weather in March is unpredictable and changes frequently. We can have warm spring-like temperatures or late-season snowstorms. I always hope that March will start off stormy and end in a calm spring. The key word here is hope. Hope is often defined as an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes. As Nurse Practitioners, we have great hope for the future of health care in the US and we are hopeful that we can remove barriers to NP practice and make strides in every state and territory. We have the attitude and expectation of continued positive outcomes. Speaking of calm, storms and hope, March is Women’s History Month and International Women's Day. Therefore, this is a good month to reflect on the contributions of women not only to our nation but to the health and well-being of our citizens, families and communities. We can learn from the trials and tribulations of nurses such as Clara Barton, Dorthea Dix, Lillian Wald, Margaret Sanger, Mary Breckinridge, Mary Ezra Mahoney, Loretta Ford, and Jan Towers. From the Civil War to making strides in public health to the NP movement, nurses have managed to take on the storms and improve the health care in our nation. And now, it is our turn as NPs to work together to take on the storms of practice and reimbursement barriers and help to calm the impact of the changes in health care that impact our patients. Above all, just as March gives us the hope of spring, NPs contributions provide hope for patients in need of high quality, culturally sensitive, patient centered care. One other thing, March is also AANP election month! The ballot opens on March 15 and closes on March 31. Please remember to cast your vote. Your vote is your voice – let your voice be heard.