Nurses play a very important role in our society. In fact, the public has rated nursing the most honest and ethical profession for the past 16 years running. Regardless of what field of nursing you work in or your level of education, all nurses selflessly help their patients in the pursuit of health and wellbeing. Here’s what you need to know about the history of National Nurses Week and a why Nurses deserve to be celebrated.
The Background
National Nurses Week is always held from May 6th to May 12th. It concludes on May 12 to coincide with the birth date of Florence Nightingale, often considered the founder of modern nursing. Florence Nightingale is famous for treating soldiers in the Crimean War. She also founded the first nursing school in 1860, the first such establishment in the world. Every nurse should know the Florence Nightingale pledge, a modified version of the Hippocratic Oath which upholds nurses to the highest and most ethical standards of behavior and practice.
The American Nurses Association has supported the work of nurses since 1896, but the first-day honoring nurses was in 1954. Originally held in October, the official day honoring nurses moved to its permanent place in May as of 1974. The group stepped up their support in 1990 to honor nurses for an entire week each year. Student nurses are honored are May 8 as well.
How to Celebrate Nurses
This year’s theme for 2018 is “Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence.” The American Nurses Association has a whole week of activities planned to help celebrate. You can find more information on the Nursing World website, including a resource toolkit and commemorative swag like T-shirts, mugs and key rings.
Every year during Nurses week, Assisted takes the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our Nurses. This year for the theme “Inspire, Innovate, Influence” we asked our staff to share ways they apply these qualities in their roles. We received wonderful feedback and were once again reminded that we have some of the best Nurses in the industry. Each of our offices will have a banner with some of the Inspiring, Innovative and Influential ideas from our staff.
How to Promote Nurses in the Community
National Nurses Week is a great time to show the community the importance of what nurses do. Resources are available on the Nursing World website, including logos and a press kit, to help promote nurses’ week to the community. You can offer a public health screening where nurses meet members of the community and offer basic screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar.
In honor of nurses week, you can also organize other activities which give back to the community in other ways. Ideas include a blood drive or a 5K walk/run, which can collect sponsorships with proceeds can go to local charities.
Nurses have a major positive impact on the public health in their community. Nurses week is a great time to offer a reminder of just how much you help.
Assisted is an award-winning provider of Home Healthcare Services throughout Southern California and Arizona. For questions or to learn more about Assisted and the services we offer, call 800-949-6555 or visit us at www.AssistedCares.com.
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