PORTLAND, ORE. – More than 200 nurses from around Oregon came together to demonstrate “The Nurse Effect” on September 30 as part of the Oregon Center for Nursing’s (OCN) annual fundraising breakfast at the Oregon Zoo.
“The Nurse Effect is what happens when nurses join forces and create an impact on individual lives and communities,” said OCN Executive Director Jana R. Bitton. “When nurses work together, they can change the world.”
The event showcased the stories of three local nurses sharing their experiences as a nurse in Oregon. Nina Fekaris, RN, NCSN, a school nurse from the Beaverton School District and incoming president of the National Association of School Nurses, told the story of a six-year old newly diagnosed with diabetes. Mary Rummell, MN, RN, CNS, CPNC, a recently retired Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Cardiology recalled some of her experiences treating children with heart disease and the advancements made in heart surgery during her career. Finally, Rebecca Silva, a nursing student at Mt. Hood Community College, told her story of choosing to return to school to become a nurse following the death of her husband.
“These stories were so moving, and every nurse in the room that morning had one of his or her own,” Bitton said. “Stories like these show the real result of the nurse effect.”
This year marks the 7th year OCN has held a fundraising breakfast. Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health Systems, Providence Health and Services, the Oregon Nurses Association, and the University of Portland all provided premier sponsorship of “The Nurse Effect” event. Other sponsors included AMN Healthcare, Avamere, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Salem Health, Adventist Health, Marquis Companies, Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, and PeaceHealth.
OCN is a nonprofit organization created by nursing leaders in 2002. OCN facilitates research and collaboration for Oregon’s nursing workforce to support informed, well-prepared, diverse and exceptional nursing professionals. Recognized by the Oregon state legislature as a state advisory for nursing workforce issues, OCN fulfills its mission through nurse workforce research, building partnerships, and advocating for nursing and healthcare. For more information about OCN, please visit www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.
