By Donna Kirker MS RN NEA-BC
Each year National Nurses Week begins on May 6 and ends on May 12, the day that Florence Nightingale was born. Florence Nightingale is known for her selflessness, dedication and commitment to serving others and for revolutionizing nursing as a profession.
Her work was remarkably progressive for the time, utilizing her own data to establish credible evidence upon which actionable conclusions could be drawn. Because of her meticulous work, it was demonstrated that simple sanitation techniques such as handwashing could stop the spread of infectious diseases in hospitals.
Her legacy of compassion and selfless service set the bar high for the nursing profession. Nurses are often recognized for their unwavering commitment and for making sacrifices to serve others during major events and other important health issues. They work extended hours, through the night and often without enough resources to deliver care effectively.
The national shortage of nurses and other healthcare workers that was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic has put incredible strain on the health care system. Many long-tenured nurses left the profession for retirement, while others left the clinical setting choosing less demanding career options.
Those who remained at the bedside have been commended for their resilience. The American Nurses Association (ANA) reminds us “we must see and celebrate our nurses as whole humans, not as a fictitious image of an all-powerful, all resilient hero.” For the past 3 years, nurses have put aside their own needs and feelings to push forward through the pandemic and its aftermath. We must value them and promote their well-being.
