Written by Cathy (CJ) Carter-Snell, AFN President, PhD, RN, SANE-A, DF-AFN

Have You Ever Been to St. Paul?

As you will see in this month's Academy News, we are pleased to announce the newest recipients of the AFN Distinguished Fellow and Distinguished Member awards, as well as Dr. Andrea Sebastian’s induction into the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and her recognition in the AANP’s Salute to the States Award Ceremony for advancing healthcare and the role of nurse practitioners in her home state of Tennessee.

Such accomplishments. Looking at all the applications for the Distinguished Memberships—and the DAISY Nurse Leader Award in Forensic Nursing, which will be announced next week—the impressive work of all who applied and were nominated for these recognitions was incredible. I am always awed by the depth of what my nursing colleagues achieve while working many hours, raising families, and caring for their communities. Forensic nurses, in particular, have to work even harder. We are trailblazers, often creating our own positions or justifying why dedicated positions are needed for us to work with clients.

As I approach my senior years (note: “approach”!) I am reflecting on all the work we do and at what cost. A few years ago, someone asked me if I had ever been to St. Paul, Minnesota. I wasn’t sure and sadly had to check my conference agendas. It turned out I had indeed been there, but never got to see it. Instead, I went straight from my class, to the airport, to the conference where I had breakfast, daytime and evening peer review sessions… got back on a plane, and then rushed back to take my on-call shift.

I have spent almost every vacation writing courses, publishing, getting lesson plans ready, and doing special projects while trying to be present for my husband, children, and dogs.

Soon after realizing I had been to St. Paul, I went to a conference with a physician friend. She asked what sessions we should skip to go to a cooking class. I was appalled: Miss information? Never! It was as if I needed permission to take a break. Her habit was to ensure she did something local in each city she visited. She loved cooking, so she tried to take a cooking class at each conference. Sadly, the next year, she passed away with cancer.

I have tried to honor her advice with each conference since. I am just finishing at the International Academy of Law and Mental Health conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I did two presentations, and attended a few other sessions—but still managed to do a bus tour of Montreal, visit the botanical gardens, and reconnect with special forensic nursing friends (and new ones). I am going home more informed, but also refreshed.

I recently heard an interview by Amil Niazi, the author of a book, Life After Ambition: A “Good Enough” Memoir. After the birth of her daughter, she was with some other new moms and they were talking about their careers and what was needed to succeed once they returned to work. She realized that was not what gave her joy anymore and that she was fine with being “mediocre” so that she could enjoy her family and other things that gave her joy.

A colleague of mine recently read When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi—a surgeon who, soon after his residency, developed terminal lung cancer. We discussed how the author had to re-evaluate his priorities and what was important. I am proud of my accomplishments and successes but do wish I had received my physician friend’s advice sooner.

As nurses, we sometimes don’t feel we are enough—but we are!

While you are doing the amazing work you do, please remember to stop to enjoy what gives you joy. Breathe, and give yourself permission to take a break. You are worth it.

Have a good summer!

Cathy (CJ) Carter-Snell

AFN President

PhD, RN, SANE-A, DF-AFN