Three days before Thanksgiving this year I would NOT have been able to raise my hand if asked that question. I thought I was too busy to make time for self-care. When I began feeling tired and had heart palpitations, I chalked it up to getting older. When I felt dehydrated, I just drank a little more water.

Having been a post-acute nurse for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how nurses’ leadership skills are critical to optimizing patient care and developing a cooperative team environment. These leadership skills are important for every nurse to develop.

It’s easy to forget ourselves when the needs of our patients become our primary focus. The incredible dedication that defines our profession compels us to pour our hearts, hands and souls into caring for others, sometimes at the expense of our well-being.

I’ve been there—feeling overwhelmed by the demands of nursing, emotionally drained after a long shift, wondering how much more I can give. Caring for others can be heavy, and I thought I had to carry it alone for a long time.

In my years as a nurse and later as a nurse leader, my journey has been filled with excitement, challenges and countless moments of curiosity that led to growth.

Feeling overwhelmed by the countless experiences and emotions that come with being a nurse is not uncommon.

As an experienced nurse, I have seen the profound impact of dedicated and compassionate nursing on patients' lives.

We know that being a nurse demands adaptability, critical thinking, and a continuous learning approach. I believe we also need to embrace curiosity.

Passion is defined by Miriam Webster “as a strong and barely controllable emotion or a strong desire. Having passion for what you do gives you a sincere reason and innermost meaning to do that which you do and keep at it and gain full mastery”.

When I was a nursing student, I sadly didn't pay much attention to Florence Nightingale, the founder of the nursing profession and the woman known as "The Lady with the Lamp."

Dear Nurses, I’m Andi Clark, and I am thrilled for us to get to know each other. We’re all in this wonderful, exciting profession together.