Empowering New Nurses

Celebrating Women in Nursing and Beyond 

Dr. Smith welcomed and paid tribute to the pioneers of nursing. Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and Mary Eliza Mahoney were three of those she mentioned as trailblazers. She discussed how women, especially nurses, can embrace empowerment, self-care, and leadership. In addition, women with various career choices were identified at an event she attended in Manhattan to celebrate success stories of successful women in leadership positions. In conclusion, she encouraged senior nurses to mentor the new nurses as they impact this noble profession.

Someone asked me to explain the Nursing Process. I had to explain it simply and also ensure that our patients receive the best care possible. The nursing process functions as a systematic guide to client/patient-centered care with 5 sequential steps. These are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation. This scientific way of providing evidence-based care to our patients is profound. As you see, the nurse receives her/his assignment, there is a bell that rings in her/his mind which includes the special care that the patient with such diagnoses will receive as planned. The first begins with gathering data with the assessment.

Ms. Bryce mentioned that she has encountered mentally ill in the black community with the stigmas also. Explore the social worker's perspective on breaking down stigma, increasing access to mental health resources, and advocating for culturally sensitive care, especially in Black communities.

She talked about recognizing symptoms of mental health within the community setting. Nurses should be able to identify patients struggling with mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and trauma, and when to involve social work. In addition, self-care is pivotal for Healthcare Professionals – Highlight the importance of mental health for nurses themselves, discussing ways to ensure self-care including taking enough rest, eating a balanced diet, fresh air, and exercise.

Some key points of The Power of Mindset were emphasized by Dr. Smith. Young nurses were encouraged to adopt a Growth Mindset which demonstrated that mistakes are opportunities to learn. In addition, overcoming doubt is critically important because it gives a sense of belonging, belief, and success in the making. The recommendation to stay positive and persevere was also highlighted since challenges are temporary. Practical strategies for success, including time management, mentorship, constructive feedback, and self-care were elements covered in her presentation.

Dr. Miriam Amanda Smith

Dr. Smith highlighted the first registered black nurse in the USA and others. Mary Eliza Mahoney. Harriet Tubman worked as a nurse during the Civil War, caring for wounded and sick soldiers, including formerly enslaved people and African American troops. She used natural remedies and other herbal treatments to heal diseases such as dysentery and smallpox among soldiers and freed slaves. In addition, she advocated for veterans. After the war, she fought for the rights of Black soldiers and nurses, eventually receiving a pension for her service. Dr. Smith was so passionate in sharing the natural information that she researched.

Dr. Smith congratulated and recognized the women who pioneered the path for the nursing career experiences. She paid tribute to Florence Nightingale, the lady with the lamp, for the modernization of nursing. She also commented on Mary Mahoney and Mary Seacole, who contributed in different ways to the healthcare profession, not just nursing. These women laid the foundation for nursing as we know it today. Their commitment to education, equity, and patient care inspires nurses worldwide. Florence Nightingale’s emphasis on education and research lives on in nursing schools. Mary Mahoney’s fight for diversity reminds us of the importance of representation in healthcare. Mary Seacole’s determination to care for others despite discrimination is a testament to the resilience needed in nursing. She used alternative medicine including Caribbean herbs in the healing process.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, we continue to honor their legacies by uplifting, empowering, and inspiring the next generation of nurses.

Dr. Smith is quite passionate in sharing her nursing journey with others, especially new nurses. She encourages nurses to page forward so that the nursing profession can continue to progress and make a difference in the healthcare arena. She emphasizes nurses mastering the basics - Strong foundational skills in patient assessment, time management, and prioritization will prepare a new nurse for success. In addition, stay curious & Keep learning, because medicine is constantly evolving, stay updated on the best practices, new treatments, and nursing techniques. It is critical for nurses to ask questions for clarification. It’s better to ask questions than to be sorry for not asking.

As we celebrate Black History Month, Dr. Gloria Watson shared the inspiring story of this outstanding transformational nurse leader, contributor, compassionate caregiver, and more. Dr Michelle Malcolm-James' outstanding contributions, challenges, and the lasting impact she made in the profession will be remembered from generation to generation. It also provides an opportunity for the world to be aware of the broader influence of Black nurses throughout history, their resilience, and how their work continues to shape healthcare today. All who knew her can attest to the value she placed on and in others.

Nursing is both a science and an art because it blends technical expertise with compassionate care to promote health, prevent illness, and support patients through healing.

As a science, Nursing is grounded in evidence-based practice, research, and clinical knowledge. It incorporates principles from anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and psychology to assess, diagnose, and treat patients. Nurses rely on critical thinking, analytical skills, and technology to provide safe and effective care. They use scientific methods to monitor patient

The art of nursing is reflected in the human connection, compassion, empathy, and communication nurses bring to patient care. Beyond clinical skills, nurses build trust, provide emotional support, and advocate for patients' well-being. The care is modified to meet individual needs, ensuring patients feel heard, valued, and comforted. The ability to actively listen deeply, offer reassurance, and create a healing environment transforms nursing into an art form that fosters not only physical but also emotional and spiritual healing.

There is a balance between science and art that a skilled nurse seamlessly integrates demonstrates—using scientific knowledge to provide accurate, effective care while delivering it with a human touch. This balance is what makes nursing a unique and irreplaceable profession in healthcare.

Nurses can celebrate, reflect, take action, and speak up for diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. We can learn and share about the contributions of contemporary black leaders like Black nursing pioneers like Mary Eliza Mahoney who was the first Black registered nurse in the U.S. Harriet Tubman who provided care as a nurse during the Civil War, and Susie King Taylor, the first Black Army nurse In addition, we can recognize contemporary black leaders like Dr. Susan Moscou, Dr. Ketty, Floyd, Dr. Dawn Africa, and Dr. Gloria Watson who continue to contribute and bring about changes as the nursing profession evolves. Dr. Smith encourages the new nurses to be empathetic as they render culturally congruent care to all patients. Nurses should honor the legacy of the trailblazers as they also pay it forward in honoring their stories.