May is Nurses Month, a time to celebrate the unwavering dedication and impact of nurses on individuals, families, and communities across the globe. For me, this year carries an even deeper significance as I reflect on the profound power of nursing and how our profession is evolving. Nurses set out each day to connect with humanity, heal, and lead—not out of obligation, but from an innate drive to make a difference. As CEO of The DAISY Foundation and President of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), I have the honor of witnessing this every day.
I love this year’s theme: The Power of Nurses™. As nurses, our scientific training teaches us to identify problems and uncover what’s not working—it’s how we improve care. But during Nurse Week and Month, we pause and focus on what’s right: the extraordinary difference nurses make every day, the complexity and value of our profession, and the strength we find in working together. We do make a difference—and now more than ever, we have the opportunity to elevate the health and wellness of our nation.
Uniting technology & compassion
Healthcare is undergoing an undeniable transformation. Technology now plays a critical role in shaping the experiences of both patients and providers. For years, nurses hesitated to fully embrace technology, often regarding it as a barrier rather than a bridge to connection.
The late Karlene Kerfoot, PhD, RN, FAAN, symplr’s Chief Nursing Officer and an icon in nursing leadership, believed that technology should serve not as a replacement but as an enabler to free up time and space for what nurses do best. She championed the idea that technology could alleviate administrative burdens, enhance care coordination, and above all, amplify the vital human connections that define our profession.
With that vision in mind, I am thrilled to celebrate the launch of the Karlene Kerfoot Nursing Leadership in Technology Education Grant. This grant stands as a tribute to Karlene’s trailblazing spirit. It will equip nurse leaders with the skills they need to integrate and innovate within an increasingly tech-driven healthcare system. Imagine what healthcare can achieve when nurse leaders are the ones not only sitting at the table but setting it. They’ll drive advancements that allow us to deliver seamless, patient-centered care across the continuum, centered on the healing connections only nurses can provide.
symplr’s visionary support
Visionary leaders are not just individuals; they are also organizations. This year, symplr’s generous and collaborative contributions to nursing led to symplr being named AONL Foundation’s Friend of the Year Award. This recognition is both well-earned and representative of symplr’s steadfast commitment to supporting nurses in every way possible.
Whether it’s through standing up crucial research initiatives, providing grants, or participating in campaigns like Beyond Gratitude and Moments that Matter, symplr has consistently stepped up. This support allows us to focus on what matters most, lifting the health and wellness of those we care for.
symplr is dedicated to fostering long-term solutions that elevate the well-being of nurses and highlight the value of nursing leadership. Guided by a mission to advance the nursing profession, symplr is a remarkable partner in empowering nurses to focus on what they’re called to do—heal, connect, and lead.
Leading by example
Nurses Month is also about looking to the future with hope and anticipation. Recently, I had the joy of attending the 2025 AONL Conference in Boston with my niece, a nurse early in her career. Like so many of her generation, she entered the profession during COVID, such a tumultuous time, and inspired to meet challenges straight on.
Our younger nurses bring a level of technical savvy that excites and inspires me. They have the means to lead us into a new era where technology is a given, and their ability to adapt quickly will accelerate how we integrate fresh innovations into practice. These nurses aren’t just joining the table; they are determined to set it.
It is this determination that fills me with confidence for the future of nursing leadership. When I see these aspiring leaders setting their sights on what healthcare can be, I am reminded once again of the power we hold as professionals. It is about more than providing care; it’s about innovating, influencing, and shaping healthcare for the better.
Anchored by human connection
At the heart of everything nurses do is the human connection. It’s the moments spent holding a hand, understanding the emotional needs of patients and families, and walking alongside them in their health journeys. This human connection is what makes a DAISY Award recipient stand out.
DAISY Award honorees exemplify kindness, compassion, and empathy while demonstrating exceptional knowledge and skill. They meet patients and families where they are and guide them forward with care and understanding. They do not seek recognition; rather, their joy stems from making a difference and creating meaningful connections that are impactful long after a hospital stay or treatment is over.
Moving forward together
This Nurses Month, my hope is that each of us takes the time to celebrate the power of nursing. Recognize the compassion, expertise, and leadership that nurses bring to healthcare every day. Reflect on how technology, when thoughtfully integrated, can enhance the care we provide without compromising the human connection that defines us.
And as we honor those who inspire us, like Karlene Kerfoot and our DAISY Award recipients, I encourage all of us to think boldly. Let’s empower the next generation of nurses to lead with the confidence that their voices matter, to innovate fearlessly with technology, and to champion the connections that make nursing the incredible profession it is.
Together, with partners like symplr by our side, we can drive the transformation of nursing leadership and continue to elevate this profession that we are so proud to call our own.
