"To nourish; to cherish; to foster".

Though nurses are noted for their nourishing, cherishing and fostering attitudes, it seems that there is a critical portion of this description missing. Today's nurse has progressed with the health care industry and has become an active, dedicated and knowledgeable health care provider who has the strength to stand by his or her convictions.

No one person, or group of people, exists in a vacuum. Ultimately,

the collective goal of nursing is to advance opportunities for all in need of care. Nurses are taking up the banner and making their contributions to increase access to health care and ensure patient safety.

Nurses are leaders; nurses are activists; nurses are scientists and researchers and teachers. Nurses are community developers. Yet, each nurse retains that compassion component indicative of the profession. Today, the Georgia Nurses Association stands as the epicenter of nurse leadership and education in the state. It is through the Association that active nurses engage themselves in their community to improve patient safety and access to quality care.

This past year we have seen nurses from all backgrounds and specialties gather around their neighbors in every community. The tragedies we experienced during 2005 are humbling to say the least. A tsunami tore through Thailand and its Asian Pacific neighbors. Nurses from across the globe responded, bestowing their healing touch on those in need. An earthquake leveled parts of India and Pakistan. Nurses responded without reservation to bring safety and peace to many whose lives were devastated. And closer to home, two major hurricanes came ashore ravaging the coastal and inland areas of five U.S. states. While others fled, nurses stayed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida and Alabama to care for those in need, risking their own lives to fulfill their duty. Meanwhile, nurses from Georgia stood poised to care for the displaced victims.

In a nation where health care is seemingly one of the largest industries, we must acknowledge the role of our nurses in creating policy, in decision-making processes, in researching procedures, and in providing necessary care. Within this state alone, there are some 95,000 nursing professionals who have touched lives, saved lives and brought life into this world. In health care settings across the state, there are nurses accomplishing great things each day.

It is Wednesday, 7:15 am: Carol is checking the vitals of her patients in the intensive care unit of her hospital. Judy is delivering the second baby of a set of twins--she smiles at the mother telling her they are both healthy and beautiful. Steve decides to extend his shift when the ambulance brings in a gunshot victim; she is 12 years old. Mary is going into a director's meeting to devise a strategic plan for the future of her hospital. John, heading a research team at a university, realizes he has discovered a potential new procedure to treat burn victims.

Each day nurses perform great acts throughout the state, acts that they themselves view as simple or part of the job. There is no question why nurses are the most respected profession in this nation. There is no question that our members are the leaders in nursing.

Georgia Nurses Association members work each day to provide the organization with the stability and flexibility to provide what is needed for nurses far into the future. Education, professional development, career services, legislative monitoring and advocacy, public education and awareness efforts, sharing best practices--members of GNA work to serve their colleagues by providing these and many other great benefits that nurses today need.

This issue is dedicated to every role that nurses play to make countless lives better to live. This issue is dedicated to the great nurses in action throughout the state and nation--whether they are volunteering their time for the community, devising a strategy to combat an avian flu pandemic, lobbying for prescriptive authority, or serving as a mentor for newly graduated nurses. This is your profession; this is you.

GNA members have a passion and they are pursuing it. They do not stand idly by and watch as others make decisions about their profession. Do you have a passion? Get involved today! Call 404.325.5536 or visit www.georgianurses.org to find out how you can make a difference.