A Lighter View
Commentary From the Editor

Happy Birthday Judith Kelleher

Judith Kelleher turns 85 years old this month. It seems to me that her birthday is an accomplishment in itself, but when you consider all that she has achieved during her career, her longevity takes on even greater meaning.

That the Emergency Nurses Association, which she and Anita Dorr co-founded in 1970, is more than 35,000 members strong today and has a vibrant advocacy role on the national stage is a testament to Kelleher’s enduring commitment to the profession and to the sustaining passion of her emergency nurse colleagues.

Emergency nurses are passionate about emergency nursing. Passion involves strong emotions—stronger than the adrenaline rush that some say is a reason they enjoy their work, stronger than the sense of drama that unfolds in the ED every day. Emergency nurses are dedicated to helping others, dedicated to ensuring safe and timely care for their patients, dedicated to saving lives.

As with many other things that you can be passionate about, it usually follows that the stronger the emotion, the stronger the payback. Whether your payback is reflected in the grateful eyes of a patient, in feeling proud about what you do, in career advancement or in the very act of human connectedness, you persevere.

Join me in wishing Judith Kelleher a Happy Birthday and in celebrating her passion, which she continues to demonstrate in her telephone calls and visits and, which is the essence of ENA.