Today is the kick off of National Nurses Week. I saw the article below on the Houston Chronicle website. I wonder how often present day nurses look back at the challenging and sometimes deplorable conditions endured by their predecessors? Conditions have certainly changed but the the nurses of today still work long hours and deal with life threatening and life changing situations. The profession requires a level of dedication far above that of most other occupations. Enjoy the respect you receive this week. You deserve it every day!!
NOTE from Bill: We offer Nurses a considerable discount, every day :) when buying or selling a home, up to $2,000 or more! You can find details about the program here. AZVHV Heroes Home Advantage is dedicated to our Heroes: Nurses, Teachers, Firefighters, Police Officers, Emergency and First Responders, Veterans and Military. If you’d like to know exactly how much you can save, give me a call. I’d be happy to help. ~Bill
Nursing profession boast noble, interesting history of dedication
By Valerie Sweeten, jobs correspondent | May 6, 2015 / Houston Chronicle
Dedication to serving others is a calling for those in the nursing industry, where long hours behind the scenes supporting families and friends during the best and worst of times isn’t always easy. National Nurses Week, held annually from May 6-12, recognizes the nursing profession and its commitment to excellence in patient care, addressing the needs of those in recovery, dying, newly born and the wounded.
According to www.nursingworld.org, the National Nurses Week 2015 theme – “Ethical Practice. Quality Care.” – recognizes the importance of ethics in nursing and acknowledges the strong commitment, compassion and care displayed by nurses in their practice and profession. The theme is an important part of American Nursing Association‘s 2015 Year of Ethics outreach to promote and advocate for the rights, and health and safety of nurses and patients.
The ANA, which supports and promotes the nursing profession, celebrated the first National Nurse Week in 1954, observing Florence Nightingale‘s mission to Crimea. Later, the annual observance would coincide with Nightingale’s birthday and recognize her early efforts in supporting patients and doctors.
Their duties have continued to change over the years affecting all aspects of the industry according to the demands in various health care settings. Hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, care centers, community health centers, schools and retail clinics are all home to registered nurses. Programs acknowledged by the ANA include specialty nursing organizations, district nursing associations, educational facilities as well as independent health care companies and institutions. According to the 2014 Congressional resolution (H. Res.540), nurses represent the largest single component of the health care profession, with an estimated population of 3,100,000 registered nurses in the United States.
Prospects for nurses have grown over the years as a career choice for individuals looking to be more involved in the industry. Advanced practice registered nurses who have a Master’s degree and are equipped with advance clinical and educational practice requirements, offer services under the umbrella of numerous roles. From nurse practitioners to clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse/midwife and certified registered nurse anesthetists will all have the opportunity to optimize their advanced skills and talents in a variety of settings.
Understanding the story behind how the nursing became such a hot profession is one of commitment by Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), an English nurse known as the founder of professional nursing. Nightingale, who had a habit of visiting patients at night with a light, became known as “The Lady with the Lamp.” National Nurses Week was first observed in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. May 6 was introduced as the date for the observance in 1982.
History of National Nurses Week
Nursing has evolved over the years, making progress at all levels of society, working to gain the respect and honor they deserve. On several occasions, in 1953, 1954 and again in 1972, several efforts were made to declare a Nurse Day, National Nurses Week and National Registered Nurse Day, but no actions came to pass to establish any of these. By 1974, May 12, which is Florence Nightingale’s birthday, was not only proclaimed International Nurse Day, but President Nixon announced the designation of National Nurse Week.
In the following years, New Jersey adopted May 6 as Nurse Day, followed by a rally to support by ANA and several organizations for New Mexico’s Congressman, Manual Lujan to establish the same day as National Recognition Day for Nurses.
In 1982, the ANA board of directors formally acknowledged May 6, 1982 as National Nurses Day, affirming a joint resolution of the United States Congress designating May 6 as National Recognition Day for Nurses. President Ronald Reagan also signed a proclamation on March 25 proclaiming National Recognition Day for Nurses to be May 6, 1982.
By 1990, the ANA Board of Directors announced there be a weeklong celebration ,May 6-12, 1991 as National Nurses Week. In the following years, this week was declared the permanent week of National Nurses Week with National RN Recognition Day being held on May 6, 1996 and later May 8 as National Student Nurses Day.
Beginning in 2003, the ANA stated the Wednesday that falls during the May 6-12 recognition week will be designated annually as School Nurses Recognition Day. – original article –
We offer Nurses a considerable discount when buying or selling a home, up to $2,000 or more! You can find details about the program here. AZVHV Heroes Home Advantage is dedicated to our Heroes: Nurses, Teachers, Firefighters, Police Officers, Emergency and First Responders, Veterans and Military. If you’d like to know exactly how much you can save, give me a call. I’d be happy to help. ~Bill
