How do we as nurses contribute to the greater good? This is an important question in our polarized world. Nurses can use our leverage as the most trusted profession to frame complex social issues from a nursing perspective. But do we? How can we amplify our voices even more? One example would be standing up for common sense gun laws.
The Parkland shootings have activated healthcare providers across the country to speak up, and out, about the public health epidemic of gun violence. Tackling this issue will take a multi-tiered, multi-sector approach and that includes the voices, talents and leadership of nurses.
Angela Green PhD, RN, CPHQ, FAAN, FAHA reached out to me on Twitter after reading about my family’s generational trauma from exposure to gun violence. I am honored and inspired that Angela was moved to action through the Guest Editorial I wrote for Nursing Economics on Why I Became a School Nurse Activist.
Here's an excerpt from that editorial:
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1949, a terrified 12-year-old boy hid in a closet as his entire family – mother, father, and grandmother – were murdered, along with 10 other people, by a deranged neighbor with a semiautomatic weapon. He survived what was then deemed to be the first mass murder in history – where 13 people were killed in a shooting spree in Camden, NJ – by hiding in a closet. That boy was my father, and while he physically survived the killings, his mind and spirit were haunted all of his remaining days. Ironically, my father was buried on September 6, 2009, the 60th anniversary of the murders.
Fast forward to February 14, 2018. This time it is my niece who survives a mass murder, by another killer with a similar semi-automatic gun, by hiding in a closet. She, along with her 17 classmates and brave teacher, huddled in a closet inside their classroom until they were freed by the authorities. Seventeen students and staff were killed, 15 were injured, and a community was terrorized and forever traumatized.
My sister, Merri, called me as she raced to my niece’s school to tell me that there was an “active shooter” at Carly’s school. We knew Carly was alive because she was texting my sister from inside the closet of her journalism class. I was texting with my sister in real time as I watched the perpetrator arrested on live television. I was giving my sister updates as she stood vigil waiting outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Standing next to my sister was another mother who had not been able to reach her daughter. Meadow Pollack was not texting back her mother back, the phone rang unanswered, her mother was frantic. Meadow had been fatally wounded, something her mom would not find out until late into the night.
Angela shares her story through this personal reflection (below) of how she reached a place of activism. To quote Angela: “I prefer children without bullet holes.”
Angela Green, PhD, RN, CPHQ, FAAN, FAHA
I’ve been a pediatric nurse for over 30 years – children are my passion and purpose. I care passionately for the health and welfare of the children and youth of our world. I’ve watched in horror with tears streaming down my face as news outlets covered school shootings, children and teens who were victims of drive by shootings, children dying at the hands of another child because adults left guns accessible, children and youth dying needlessly. And yet, I sat silently in my sorrow praying for all of those affected.
On February 14, 2018, silence ceased to be an option. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida was different. Part of it was that was my state; it could have been my children’s hospital receiving the students who were dead and injured. But more than that, it was the students. The students who courageously, while living through an unspeakable tragedy – said – ENOUGH. I watched these young heroes envision a future and call us to action to create that future where children, youth, and adults are safe in homes, schools, movie theaters, restaurants, concerts, and on playgrounds and city streets. I took a deep breath and joined them in using social media as a tool to help build that future. I began to feel shame that it took so long for me to move out of silent sorrow to action. And I began to wonder, what else? What else can I do?
Enter Robin Cogan, someone I followed on Twitter. Robin was sharing her father’s story, her niece Carly’s story (one of those heroes from Parkland calling us to action), stories of the violence affecting the students she serves. And Robin shared a vision of nurses uniting to be part of the solution. The students inspired me, Robin inspired me, and I reached out to Robin in response – with the question, how can I help?
She shared her vision for Nurses Demand in unity with Moms Demand and Students Demand. I said – I’m in. The rest of the story is yet to be told, but 1 relentless school nurse joined with 1 relentless pediatric quality & safety nurse are out to change the world. Who else is in?
Angela Green, PhD, RN, CPHQ, FAHA, FAAN is the Senior Director for Patient Safety and Quality at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow alumna with over 30 years of experience in children’s healthcare. With a clinical background in neonatal and pediatric cardiac intensive care, Angela has been privileged to serve in a variety of leadership roles focused on achieving excellence in children’s healthcare. You can follow Angela on Twitter @greenal11.
#SchoolNursesDemandAction
I promised my sister and niece that I would do whatever I can on the public health policy side of the equation. I am reaching out to my nursing colleagues for help, support, and yes, your thoughts and prayers. #SchoolNursesDemandAction is a grassroots effort to bring attention to the public health emergency/epidemic of gun violence in our country.
My father’s family was murdered by a man who used a semi-automatic weapon. My niece’s friends, peers, and teachers were murdered by a man who used a semi-automatic weapon. None of the survivors will ever be the same. Enough is enough! Let us all learn from this horrific story, from my family’s generational trauma, and honor the memory of those who have died by taking a meaningful stand.
ROBIN COGAN, MEd, RN, NCSN, is a School Nurse, Camden City School District, Camden, NJ; and Adjunct Faculty, Rutgers University School of Nursing, Camden, NJ. She is a Johnson & Johnson School Health Fellow. Contact Info: robin.cogan@rutgers.
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