Nurses make the difference

Those words from Nelson Mandela echo the theme for Nurses Week 2024: "You Make the Difference." The sentiment profoundly resonates with the ethos of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. It serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power embedded within each of you — the power to heal, to comfort and to inspire hope. Your tireless dedication to advancing health care, promoting wellness and advocating for those in need exemplifies the very best of our profession.

In our world today, we are confronted with an array of formidable challenges, from climate change to social inequality, from mental health crises to access to health care disparities. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of these issues. However, history has shown us time and again that seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome through collective action and determination.

To our dedicated students, you are the future of health care, imbued with the knowledge, skills and compassion to effect positive change in the world. Your passion for learning and commitment to excellence fill me with optimism for the future of our profession.

To our esteemed alumni, your accomplishments stand as a testament to the exceptional education and training you received at our institution. Your continued contributions to the field of nursing inspire us all, serving as guiding beacons for current and future generations of nurses.

To our valued faculty and staff, your unwavering support and dedication behind the scenes are the backbone of our School of Nursing. Your tireless efforts ensure that our programs continue to thrive, preparing the next generation of health care leaders to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

At the School of Nursing, we are uniquely positioned to effect positive change. We develop innovative educational approaches to meet the evolving needs of tomorrow’s health care. We create new evidence-based approaches to supporting family caregivers, driving new solutions that put individuals, as well as families and communities, at the center of care and improving access to care. From leading a UC multicampus program to prepare psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners for California to developing the first Doctor of Nursing Practice — Nurse Anesthesia program in the UC system, our education approaches tackle challenges head on and lean in to our partnerships here at UC Davis Health and beyond.

Each year we graduate 48 master’s-degree prepared students who are poised to take the national nursing licensing exam (NCLEX) and become change agents at the bedside. In 2025, the inaugural cohort of our Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Program will complete a three-year program and fulfill vital provider and advocacy roles in rural and urban communities throughout the state. They, along with our physician assistant and Doctor of Philosophy alumni, play a vital role in making a profound difference in health care outcomes and improving the quality of life for countless individuals.

To our trusted partners, your collaboration and shared vision are instrumental in shaping the future of health care education. Together, we strive to create innovative solutions and foster environments where all members of the health care team can flourish and make a meaningful difference.

Each of us has the capacity to contribute, whether through advocating for better policies, addressing disparities in access to care, or simply showing compassion to those in need. Just as our predecessors paved the way for progress, so too can we make a difference in the lives of others.

Nurses have blazed trails in health care and, at more than five million strong, have grown to be the largest sector of the health care workforce today. Let us draw inspiration from those who came before us and commit ourselves to making a difference in our world, our communities and the lives of the individuals we serve. Together, we can create a healthier, more equitable future for all.

As we embark on another Nurses Week, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you. This week, we come together to celebrate the profound impact you make in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Your unwavering commitment to excellence and compassion — and making a lasting difference — epitomize the essence of nursing, and for that, I am deeply thankful.