I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for this year as Washington ENA president. As I reflect on what I had planned and hoped for WA ENA 2020, the reality was so much different. It was the 50th Anniversary of ENA and the Year of the Nurse and we were going to celebrate in grand style....Instead, we all have been challenged in a way unfamiliar to us. Moving forward, the pandemic has made me look at what I am thankful for:

I am thankful for the teams that I am surrounded by, both my WA ENA team and my work nursing team. They have provided support in ways that only nurses can do.

I am thankful for my family, who I miss so much and can't wait to do "normal" things with again.

I'm thankful for all the connections that I have been able to make, even virtually this year. In a way, I feel like it has brought people together in a unique way. 

Most of all I am thankful for all the emergency nurses out there working hard for your communities. These are very difficult times and I appreciate the resiliency of all of you. 

Finally, I am thankful that you gave me the opportunity to lead this group this year. It has been a learning experience and has made me appreciate all of you and the work that I do on a different level. 

Best wishes in 2021!

Kelly Allen, MSN, RN, CEN  2020 WA ENA President