Message from our President--Focus on Nurse Mental Wellness in 2024

WONL FOCUSES ON NURSE MENTAL WELLNESS 2024

Happy Healthy New Year WONL Colleagues!!!

I am Dennise Lavrenz and thrilled to jump into my new term as the 2024 -25 WONL President with an abundance of energy and passion. I am excited to network with each of you as we work together to transform healthcare as nursing leaders with one voice advancing health for all in Wisconsin.

One of WONL’s most important strategies continues to be an unwavering commitment to lead, influence and support a healthy workforce.

We are keenly aware from our last Wisconsin RN survey that 48% of our Wisconsin RN workforce reports that their mental health has worsened.  With this data as a backdrop, WONL is focused to position themselves to provide grassroots support and build out strategies that improve nurses’ mental wellbeing.

As we begin a new year with new goals around caring for our own wellbeing, I wanted to share a critical focus for WONL in 2024 to support each of you as Nurse Leaders.

One of the most important gifts that we can give to each other is the gift of feeling loved, valued, appreciated.  WONL is committed to supporting a healthy Nursing workforce which starts with taking care of ourselves by recharging our batteries so that we can more fully serve those who are serving others.

As we begin this New Year, WONL resolves to partner with our affiliates and each of you on strategies that help each of us to live our best life. 

Over the past several months, representing WONL as President Elect and WNA as a Board Member, I have volunteered to work with WisPAN (Wisconsin Peer Alliance for Nurses) under the passionate leadership of founder Kristin Waite-Labott, and Wisconsin League of Nurses to develop a system to support Nurses of Wisconsin. Today I am pleased to announce that we are ready to launch a one of its kind, evidence-based approach to supporting Nurses in Wisconsin with Nurses caring for Nurses next week, Wednesday January 17, 2024, with a peer support group focused strictly on Nurses mental wellness.  These support groups will continue to be offered weekly, are confidential and free of charge. 

Please see attached flyer and consider attending yourself and share broadly with your Nursing team.

Stay tuned for updates on WONL activities throughout the year.

Please reach out to me if you would like more information about WONL or have specific questions/suggestions for our new Nurse Mental Wellness Strategy.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy NEW YEAR!!

In partnership, love and appreciation,

Dennise Lavrenz

denniselavrenz@wi.rr.com