NWONL Affiliate Event - Washington Board of Nursing Conference Supporting Nurses Health and Well-Being: The Path Forward

A Message from the Conference Chair: John Furman, PhD, MSN, COHN-S

The COVID-19 pandemic increased and shed light on the stresses that nurses and all healthcare workers are under.  From burnout and compassion fatigue to secondary trauma nurses and the healthcare industry (both providers and regulators) are facing unprecedented challenges to maintaining a healthy workforce.  A recent survey by the American Nurses Foundation found that health and well-being has become a top concern for those who do intend to leave nursing.

Fortunately, the healthcare industry, regulators, and academia are responding. For example, the brief A Call To Action: Improving Clinician Wellbeing and Patient Care and Safety released by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio and Ohio State University College of Nursing outlines the challenges and provides a “review of evidence-informed policies, programs and practices that improve clinician wellbeing and support high-quality, safe patient care.”

Supporting Nurses Health and Well-Being: The Path Forward will both celebrate nurses and address some of our most challenging issues, including unhealthy substance use, workplace bullying, trauma, and more, while providing a light and path forward towards improving the health and well-being of nurses and other clinicians. Presentations will provide examples of employe health and wellness programs, personal health tools, and stigma reduction strategies among other positive interventions.

The commission invites you to join us in attending this first of its kind conference in Washington State, bringing together nurses, industry experts and other stakeholders in a celebration of nursing and charting a path forward towards supporting nurses’ health and well-being.

Reasons to attend:

• Improve patient care.

• Network with colleagues and stakeholders.

• Gain knowledge of recent research and best practices.

• Awareness of new interventions and services.

• Learn how to work with employers and associations to improve employee health programs.

• Gain personal health and wellness tools.

• Demonstrating return on investment of workplace well-being initiatives.

• Earn up to 11.25 hours of Continuing Education Credits!

Discounted lodging for this event is available at the Marriott Tacoma Downtown, located within walking distance of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Book before September 25th to be eligible for a discounted lodging rate!