Whether they are in intensive care, labor, and delivery, or cardiac treatment, nurses are an integral part of any healthcare operation. In recognition of this, the American Nurses Association designated May 6 to May 12 as National Nurses Week. The celebration shines a spotlight on the various contributions provided by exceptional nurses across the country.
Just how invaluable are nurses to healthcare facilities? How can we make the most out of this occasion and celebrate their contributions to healthcare as a whole? Read on to find out all this and more.
Why are nurses so important?
From post-operative care to administering important medications, nurses carry out so many different duties in the hospital. Despite all the changes in healthcare throughout the years, bedside care has remained at the core of nursing.
Being admitted to a hospital can be a depressing experience for a patient and their family. The fear of an incoming operation, constant exposure to death and disease, or just the loneliness of it all can take its toll on the hardiest of patients.
They also educate them on their condition and treatment options, so that they are never confused about where they are, on their road to recovery.
Nurses offer an invaluable emotional presence for the rattled patient and their families. Their compassion and composure make a difference that cannot be read by the cardiographs.
Why are National Nurses Week on May 6 to 12?
In 1974, the International Council of Nurses declared that May 12 would be International Nurses Day. May 12 was chosen as it was the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
Dubbed the “Mother of Modern Nursing,” Nightingale laid the foundation for the profession as we know it. Between forward-thinking data collection, writing medical reports, and improving hygiene best practices, her ideas and theories moved nursing toward a brighter future.
National Nurses Week can be seen as an extension of International Nurses Day, in this sense.
How can we celebrate nurses?
We know why we celebrate National Nurses Week and we know when so that begs the question; HOW can we celebrate on May 6-12?
The ANA takes this opportunity to shine a light on nursing contributions, across the globe. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same kind of platform or reach.
Fortunately, the answer is way more simple than you might think. You can write a thank you note to a nurse that has taken care of you, in the past. If you are in contact, you can even offer to treat them out for lunch.
From the outside, this may not seem like much. However, nurses put their emotional and physical well beings on the line, to care for others. Just showing you are thankful can make a world of difference.
