Cannon Health Care Education & Consulting

04/24/2026

Did y'all know that for Nurses Week...
***Nursing recognition is happening at our Colorado State Capitol on May 7th?
***Around 0900 we will hear tributes in both houses of the legislature.
***We also will see a proclamation by Governor Polis.
***We can join the Colorado Nurses Association for lunch at their office.
***Hang around downtown to see the Capitol lighting up in honor of Nurses that evening.

04/12/2026

Today I am thinking about #5
Last week at a JDLI meeting, we were all asked to share what we were experiencing in what was going on in our world and what we might do to help others experiencing the same. I gave a quick answer that came to mind, which involved my frustration of the division of people, and the misinformation being spread around in the media and social media. I expressed how discouraged I was with what was going on and how I wish I knew the answer to make it all stop.
I listened to many others in the room tell what they were experiencing. Although each person had a different feeling or story to tell, I realized how powerful it was to be able to share with each other. I thought just because their story may be unique to them and our struggles differ in the details, our underlying emotions are the same. I remember that in psychology this is called collective effervescence or the power of shared experience.
At this meeting, I learned that a lot of feelings are going around these days and range from overwhelming sadness to outright rage. I felt like people were becoming discouraged when experiencing these feelings and from realizing that things aren't changing fast enough. This can lead to an overall feeling of powerlessness and often, hopelessness.
When this all builds up, then this is where our discouragement may come from. We just have no more words to describe what we are experiencing. By sharing these feelings and frustrations, we can actually transform our own anxiety into a shared understanding. I am a strong believer in universality. I believe that we can form a collective resilience in groups and it can help us be better at handing the world challenges. I would encourage everyone to seek out this type of connection.
However, I have also learned that there is power in patience in most situations. It is a vital coping mechanism. Patience is not a passive act, but an active, deliberate choice to endure. When you are patient, and hold on to your faith, it restores a sense of control within.
I also trust that change can happen at any time. At times, you may feel that you are being tested, but don't quit. This is often a critical time for resilience. Difficult times, as well as feelings, are often temporary, so find your strength and you will persevere through the storm. Remember too, that others see your struggles and maybe it is due to them experiencing the same.
This is where Connection with others comes in. It is a fundamental human need. It holds value in creating a sense of belonging and can really enhance your mental and physical health. We all need to stay healthy during these uncertain times. I can't stress that enough!
Try being active in reaching out to your friends and family, and yes, even the community as a whole. Doing so can reduce your stress, save you from some medical issues, and increase longevity. Share what you are experiencing and maybe the burden you are carrying will feel just a little bit lighter.

04/05/2026

2026 NFK President's Message - for all nurses.

NFK Nurses,

April is the fourth month of the year, and it has arrived! As you may know, things have really been building up for nursing since the start of the year. Besides all that has been happening within NFK, which you can read about in Norma's column in the Colorado Nurse, there are things in the news that affect us all.

Overall, we have been busy with what's new in the updated changes to our licensing exams, addressing critical workforce strategies, continuing to seek health equity solutions, and strengthening our advocacy and professional development. April 1, 2026, is more than April Fool’s Day, and more than a day that starts our worry about those taxes being due.

April 1 marks the day that the new NCLEX exams for both RN and LPN went into effect and are good till March 31, 2029. The new exams have updated contemporary language and more focus on clinical judgment. The last time it was updated was in 2023 (it's a triennial thing) and it added the clinical judgment component to the exam. It also changed clinical content in the areas of management of care (decreased), safety and infection control (increased), and physiological adaptation (increased).

So, what's really new on the latest one if the content is the same? Test takers will have a set number of case studies (and each question builds on the next) and they may get single, stand-alone judgement items. (offering 2 antecedents on one side and 2 outcomes on the other), which requires pulling the antecedent to the outcome based on pathophysiology or some nursing care characteristic. The new test also uses partial-credit score testing. There are a few other differences too. However, I'm glad I already took my NCLEX a while back.

Nurses across our nation are active in union bargaining that is centered on staffing levels, safety, and compensation. These critical workforce strategies have highlighted a need for enforceable standards, rather than voluntary guidelines. One area this brings attention to is the safe nurse to patient ratios involving understaffing and impacts to patient care.

Nurses continue trying to fix the workplace violence issues and are asking for increased security and staffing of security at the entrance of facilities. Nurses are having to fight to protect their health benefits, along with getting wages adjusted to the cost of living and our rising inflation. Nurses are fighting for the right resources to provide their patients care, and to protect everyone from the inappropriate use of AI. Nurses are calling out the increased hospital profits and executives' pay and pointing out that patient safety is not being invested in or prioritized. Nurses are also working to integrate health equity training throughout nursing education and advocating for nursing payment systems. We currently lack sufficient payments mechanisms.

Nurses are on the roadmap to find health equity solutions. We are the frontline workers who are addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to society's health disparities. We are the ones that are challenging structural racism. We are the ones that are advocating for changes and policies that provide an equitable opportunity for health. April is National Minority Health Month, where nurses have a heavy focus on health equity and in raising awareness about disparities and promoting culturally competent care. Nurses know that everyone deserves to have their highest level of health met.

We are the ones taking action to the core areas of health equity by addressing social needs of our patients in clinical settings, leading community and public health initiatives, influencing policy advocacy and leadership, and prioritizing the dismantling of areas of systemic racism. Some of the things we can look forward to are being the leaders in achieving these goals and creating policies that encompass our full scope of practice. Nurse designed models of care, nurse led care management programs, and the formation of a collaborative coalition to support the upcoming changes and amplify the nurses' voice are just a few of the things in the present and future works for nurses. We are the champions of healthcare.

As we go forward to strengthen our advocacy and professional development, CNA and ANA are taking up battle to address the proposed idea to reclassify advanced practice nursing degrees, as non-professional for federal loan purposes, which could take effect this year (July 1). Nurses are demanding that the Post BSN programs be recognized as professional degrees. A national petition was sent out to try and reverse this decision. As nurses, we know the rigor and skills required for these roles.

Many of you have written letters and made phone calls to your State Reps, Senators, and Congress urging them to help us fight this, utilized social media, and attended town halls. If it passes, it will have a profound impact on our nursing profession. Not only will it be a financial barrier and create a workforce shortage, but it undermines our expertise and disrespects our nursing education. Continue to be a strong voice and be persistent!

It looks like we have a lot of work ahead of us and will certainly face some challenges! On that note, April just so happens to be National Stress Awareness Month. Nurse burnout, mental health and strategies for our wellbeing, both on and off the job, are critical to address because they cause emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and yes, reduced empathy. Peer support is important, as well as getting enough sleep and setting those boundaries! Self-care is vital.

Let's continue to prep for May through Advocacy and Connection, as that is when National Nurses Week will be here, and we want to be ready for that much deserved Recognition!

Annette Cannon, NFK President
Constituent Association of CNA

03/21/2026

A new Wisconsin law will remove registered nurses from the list of healthcare professionals authorized to excuse student absences, drawing attention to scope of practice limitations and the role of school nurses.

Beginning September 1, registered nurses will no longer be allowed to sign school excuse notes. The update narrows the group of providers who can verify medical absences and shifts that responsibility to clinicians with diagnostic authority.

(..continued below)

The Nursing Beat Travel Nursing.org

03/21/2026

A Portland trauma nurse with 25 years at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center has filed a $1.25 million whistleblower lawsuit, alleging she was terminated after repeatedly raising concerns about blood supply availability for trauma patients.

The lawsuit claims a specialized blood storage unit was offline for over a year, with backup delivery taking four times longer than the hospital's stated protocol. Legacy Health says it prohibits retaliation but has declined to comment on the pending litigation.

The Nursing Beat Travel Nursing.org

03/14/2026

My presentation at Standley Lake Library on "Opioids and Narcan: Saving A Life" went well today. I provided 10 nasal spray Narcan doses to those who attended, along with training on Opioids and how to give the Narcan. I should be having another event coming up soon, so be sure to watch for it.

03/13/2026

Workplace violence in Healthcare settings:

A nurse at a Santa Rosa hospital in California was allegedly assaulted and strangled with a medical cord while working at the nurse's station. The attacker has been charged with attempted murder.

03/11/2026

Measles is back and highly contagious. Learn about the 2025–26 spikes, the danger for young children and how vaccines prevent severe illness.

03/08/2026

For International Women's Day, I thought I would highlight the field of Coroner's and Women in that role.
These are traditionally male-dominated roles. The role is beginning to shift though as more women enter the field. Women often bring a more nurturing, empathetic, and detailed perspective to death investigation, and support for our grieving families.
As Coroner, I have focused on mentorship and advocacy by encouraging and educating more women to enter the field, especially forensic nurses. My hope is to break down the gender barriers, as I have faced my share of challenges and barriers in this role, not only as a coroner, but as a woman.
As a result, women overwork to prove themselves and to combat the disrespect. I focus on a description of my career and accomplishments, because unlike male-counterparts, I may not automatically receive that recognition after I am gone, given the continued prevalence of gender bias.
Today we focus on our future as Women. We focus on diversity, education, and our professions. The role of coroner is demanding and women are well-qualified to have success in this role that intersects with public safety, p***c health and justice systems.

03/08/2026

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the leadership, resilience, and impact of women across the globe—and the millions of nurses who power healthcare every day.

More than five million registered nurses in the United States—and millions more worldwide—bring expertise, compassion, and advocacy to the frontlines of care, research, education, and policy.

Women in nursing continue to lead change, strengthen communities, and shape the future of healthcare.

Today and every day, we celebrate the leaders, innovators, and advocates who embody The Power of Nurses™.

03/07/2026

This one is in Arvada! I will be presenting on "Opioids and Narcan: Saving A Life". It is open to whoever would like to attend. No RSVP needed. I will have limited Narcan available to provide to attendees.

03/07/2026

I held a presentation this morning on "Opioids and Narcan: Saving A Life" at the Jefferson County Conifer Library. Narcan was available to attendees. Attendance was free. Conifer Library is beautiful and has the nicest staff. Be sure to visit them.