Did you just see that President Obama just appointed a nurse to be the head of HRSA? Mary Wakefield, an expert on rural health, nursing workforce issues (nursing shortage anyone?) and health policy issues. I am always thrilled when a nurse is tapped to be in influential positions. It gives me hope for the world. Did you know that the president of the AARP is also a nurse? I heard Jennie Chin Hansen speak at a recent conference about aging in the LGBT community and she was, by far, one of the best speakers there. She was direct eloquent and gave specific examples of elder care can be improved.  In addition to being president of AARP, she also teaches nursing and for 25 years she was the executive director of On Lok, Inc. which was the prototype for a federal health care delivery system to older adults.

Nurses are senators, CEOs, blogmasters, authors, stand up comics, hospital adminstrators. Although we need many more nurses at the bedside, it’s important to remember: with your education and (soon) experience you can go lots of different places. We are truly everywhere!