Susan Goncalves Takes the Helm at CT Nurses Association
New president stresses gratitude and hope at September annual meeting
The Connecticut Nurses Association
In the fall of 2021, Associate Professor Susan A. Goncalves, DNP, MS, RN- BC, was elected as vice president of the Connecticut Nurses Association (CNA) and immediately assumed the position of interim president while the president was on a leave of absence. In January 2022, she officially assumed the position of board president upon the president’s resignation and will serve as president through the term 2021-2023.
Mission
During CNA’s fall 2021 strategic planning session, the association revised its mission statement, which now reads “to empower and lead the profession to shape the future of nursing and healthcare in Connecticut.”
A nurse for 38 years, Goncalves takes the mission – and her new leadership role -- to heart.
“The role of board president for the Connecticut Nurses Association is an honor and privilege,” she said. “I am committed to working hard to represent, advocate and showcase Connecticut nurses in all areas of practice to achieve positive change.”
Goncalves’ welcome address to the September meeting focused on gratitude and hope. She expressed gratitude to each member for their commitment, passion and dedication to the association, the profession of nursing and the health and wellness of the people of Connecticut. Secondly, her message of hope envisioned a bright future that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, as well as health and well-being to all individuals within the profession of nursing and across our nation.
During the annual meeting, members reviewed and showcased the initiatives, successes and opportunities of the past year. The Annual Membership Booklet contains many reports and details about the nursing policy, practice and professional development work of the association.
Highlights:
- COVID-19: Moved from a state of pandemic to endemic
- ANA Racial Reckoning Statement
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging initiatives
- Advocacy to support and elevate the nursing workforce
- Elevating Workforce Issues in D.C: staffing, workplace violence/bullying and workforce issues
- Representation on statewide committees and taskforces
- Actions to strengthen the association
Those gathered also looked forward to ongoing work and new opportunities in 2023:
- Nursing
- Mental health and well-being of nurses and individuals
- Safe staffing and scheduling in all healthcare venues in Connecticut
- Workplace violence
- Nurse liability issues/concerns
- Strategies to help alleviate the nursing shortage (nurses and nurse educators)
- Increased nursing pathways and financial assistance for those pursuing a nursing education
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging journey
- Nursing Care of Patients
- Environmental impacts on health of individuals and communities
- End of life: Care for death with dignity
- Opioid epidemic and access to Narcan
“It is my belief that being silent is not an option and, as nurses, we are compelled to get involved and be the VOICE in the organizations in which we work,” Goncalves said. “Advocacy is so desperately needed -- for ourselves, the profession, our patients, families and communities we serve as well as the next generation of nurses.”
The association values the vocation, the treasured profession, that joins us as nurses. As president and on behalf of the entire Board of Directors, Goncalves asked members to continue to collaborate and engage, advance and strengthen the association, the profession of nursing and healthcare for all in Connecticut.