Happy 100th Anniversary New Mexico Nurses Association!

Hello there fellow nurses!!  This has been an exciting time!

The biggest celebration I have been to since the start of the pandemic, safe with vaccinations, social distancing, hand sanitizer, masks, and outdoors occurred this week. It was wonderful to gather with a “small but mighty group” to celebrate the 100th anniversary for the New Mexico Nursing Association!!

The celebration was made possible by the tremendous efforts of our executive director, Deborah Walker.  A generous sponsorship donation from Presbyterian Health Services allowed for a proper celebration. 

I want to give a big thank you to the Allan Houser Sculpture Garden and Gallery for making the gorgeous venue affordable.  Additionally, Jared Bevan of Southern Glazers provided the special touch for the anniversary toast and reception.

We could not have asked for a more wonderful, peaceful, celebratory afternoon basking in the gorgeous weather surrounded by spectacular views and wonderful people. For those who were unable to attend, we missed you!!! We understand so many of us are still delivering compassionate, quality care on the front lines and contributing to our community's health and safety. A big thank you for all you do every day!

Our celebration brought pause to reflect on the work so many of this group and their predecessors accomplished. Through volunteerism, dedication, and passion, the members of the NMNA have advocated to improve the scope and quality of care delivered by nurses since 1921!

Think of the NMNA advocacy efforts: to be the pioneer state to create independent practice with full prescriptive authority through the most recent legislation of Safe Harbor and requiring that advanced practice registered nurses be eligible for hospital staff credentialling throughout the state. The partnerships with our elected legislative friends are priceless. 

Represented at the gathering were nurses from all walks of life and practice: entrepreneurs, nurse practitioners and specialists with private practice, those with policy expertise, academics, public health practices, and those currently on the front lines. It was a diverse group as well. The New Mexico Native American Indian Nurses Association joined us. Members of their organization provided a lovely prayer circle and presented the NMNA with a beautiful Pendleton blanket. This blanket will become part of NMNA tradition.

Happy 100th Anniversary New Mexico Nurses Association! May we continue to have forward progress as we serve and represent nurses for the next 100!!!! 

Here are a couple photos from the event.

Gloria Doherty PhD, MSN, RN, Adult Health Nurse Specialist, ACNP-BC
President, NMNA