Emergency Nursing 2024 kicked off successfully with its Opening Session, calling on nurses to reflect on their blessings and inspiring them to put their best foot forward.
Randy Fox inspired the crowd with his profound message of bringing your silver platter service to all aspects of life.
The event started with “Light on Your Darkest Day,” moments and messages of inspiration from emergency nurses who were there for others and each other during challenging times. A video of Andrea Dalzell, MSN-ED, RN, the first registered nurse in a wheelchair in New York, described how resilience can lead to excellence. ED nurse Collin Walker took the stage with a band, singing “Tell Me Who’s Gonna Save Us?“ Dalzell and a group of ED nurses from Uvalde, Texas, who shared their story of perseverance after treating the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting, took the stage to a standing ovation.
ENA President Chris Dellinger, MBA, BSN, RN, FAEN took the stage next to welcome attendees, reflecting on her experience at her first Emergency Nursing conference
“I still remember what it was like to attend my very first conference,” said Dellinger. “I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to get out there and see all the great educational sessions. In the last 30 years, I have made some wonderful friends and connections around the world.”
Dellinger’s presidency centers on the theme of “Shine,” a term that encompasses the idea of shining a light on the challenges that the profession is facing, as well as shining a light on the value of emergency nursing.
“Let me leave you with this,” said Dellinger. “Emergency Nursing 2024 is an exciting time to re-energize yourself,” said Dellinger. “Have a great time over the next couple days, soak it all in and I hope you get energized.”
In a moment of connection, attendees raise their hands as Fox emphasizes the power of showing up for your family, friends and community with your unique gifts.
Keynote speaker Randy Fox shared his personal story to illustrate how emergency nurses can answer the call to excellence. He emphasized that it requires doing things intentionally, paying attention to details and keeping in mind that it is not about “I,” but rather about “us.”
Fox invited people to count their blessings, to hold their complaining, and go the extra step — what he calls the “silver platter service.”
“I don’t know what your silver platter is,” Fox explained. “I can’t give that to you. You have to decide what that is. What is the silver platter? What do you bring each and every day? To work, to your family, to your friends, to your community. They don’t even know it, but you have it, and they’re waiting for you to show up and give it to them.”