President's Message
I have always been fascinated by prisms. As a child, I watched the classic Disney movie Pollyanna in awe. If you remember, prisms are a pivotal part of the Disney magic in this movie, and like all Disney movies, this one instills the viewer with the confidence that everything will be better if you just work hard and believe. Admittedly, I still pull the movie from the shelf periodically to watch it again; it is one of my favorite classic films. The message in this movie is clear: Challenges can be overcome with a persistent belief that there is goodness in everyone.
Pollyanna believes in the good in those around her and refuses to accept any other reality--no matter how difficult the situation or the individuals that she is dealing with. Her positive focus spreads across an entire community that that was in dire need of some light and rainbows.
In the movie, Pollyanna is an orphan who is embraced by and becomes a part of a larger family of all of those that she touches. There is a lot of similarity between Pollyanna and the family of WOCNCB nurses and prisms and leadership. The prisms are visual reminders of the magic and possibilities that are held in light and rainbows.
From science, we know that the polished, angled surfaces of the prism actually bend the light that it comes in contact with. The light is actually forced to change directions and emerge from the prism as a larger, enhanced beam of light that appears as a rainbow of color. I contend that leadership, especially mentorship, is like a prism. A good leader is able to draw those future leaders in, and just like with a prism, simple contact changes their direction and promotes real growth. They emerge bigger and brighter than when they first made contact.
My experience as your President for the past two years has followed the prism model. I was drawn toward leadership opportunities by the great leaders that preceded me. Although at the time, I did not see or seek leadership as a part of my future and even questioned their vision, I was pulled in. My exposure to Kathy Wright and Patty Gable Burke changed me. Because of the leadership that they modeled, and generous mentorship, I was changed and transformed into a better specialty nurse and, I hope, a better leader. Having had the opportunity to work with the dynamic individuals who have served on the WOCNCB and the staff who support them, I leave this position as a better and wiser person.
I challenge each of us to go forward and act as one of those magical prisms. Attract nurses who may just need a little change in direction to become even better nurses as WOCNCB certified nurses. Surround them with the positives and possibilities that our specialty affords them. Encourage them to join our extended family of specialty nurses improving the lives of patients each and every day. Consider giving yourself the best gift this holiday season by joining a WOCNCB committee so that you too can grow and change for the better. Allow yourself to see the future as positive, even when the days may pose serious challenges and obstacles.
After all, it is the season to believe in magic.
Diana Gallagher, MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, CHT
WOCNCB President
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