In 2025, the Coordinating Council set ambitious goals: to disseminate the structure of the IMPACT Professional Governance Council to all nurses and to educate and align the Professional Practice Model with all organizational projects. These efforts were designed to strengthen nursing practice through the professional governance structure.
As Coordinating Council Chair, Kristina Sims, BSN, RN, CNOR, and Chair-Elect Jessica Ramos, RN, recognized that achieving these goals was essential to advancing a culture of nursing excellence. Understanding that Nurses Week 2025 was a pivotal opportunity to celebrate and recognize nursing contributions, Sims and Ramos led the professional governance team in creating the first-ever IMPACT (Imagine Mindful People Achieving Change Together) Professional Governance Fair in conjunction with the annual education fair.
This innovative event showcased best practices, quality improvement projects, and evidence-based initiatives from across the organization along with providing resources for additional professional development. Every council and unit along with supporting teams were represented including: 4th Floor Medical Surgical, 5th Floor Medical Telemetry, Intensive Care Unit/2West, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Labor & Delivery, Post Partum, Operating Room, Pre/Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Emergency Department, Care Without Delay, Patient Care Coordinators Case Management, and Spiritual Care.
The fair was more than an event, it was a movement. The energy of nursing pride and professionalism was palpable, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence. The success of Nurses Week 2025 set the stage for future growth. The IMPACT team plans to build on this momentum by expanding education on the Professional Practice Model, increasing nurse participation in governance, and driving initiatives that improve patient outcomes and staff engagement. Advocacy remains at the heart of these efforts, ensuring that every nurse has a voice, every project reflects nursing excellence, and every patient benefits from the highest standards of care.