Week Honors Work Of NursesNational Nurses Week starts today, National Nurses Day.
“Nurses Week is celebrated nationally every year, beginning May 6 and ending on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. In 1993, the American Nurses Association proclaimed this week would permanently be designated as National Nurses Week to recognize the contributions nurses make to their communities,” according to a news release from Goshen Health.
"Every year, we honor the service that nurses provide to our community, but this year, we have been especially thankful for the community's outpouring of love and support for our nurses over the last several weeks," said Ashley Wirges, Parkview Whitley/Parkview Warsaw vice president of patient care services. "When the World Health Organization designated 2020 as the ‘Year of the Nurse and Midwife’ to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, no one knew just how appropriate it would be in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, just like days past, nurses continue to play a courageous role, not fully knowing what to expect but never faltering in their commitment to care for the community."
Sandy Johnson, R.N., Kosciusko Community Hospital birthplace nurse, said nurses are educators and caregivers. In her department, nurses are teaching patients about such things as labor and how to take care of a child.
Tina Fugate, director of MedStat and the Health and Wellness Center at KCH, said nurses are important because they have the ability to think critically.
Nurses are also the bridge between the patient and the doctors and other medical staff, Johnson said.
Amanda Healey, R.N. in KCH’s ICU, said nurses notify the doctors about things that go on with patients.
“We will catch all the little things,” Healey said.
“We can give them a better idea of what goes on with the patient since we see them the most,” Johnson said.
Healey said the doctors would struggle a lot without nurses.
"Nurses are on the frontline and work closely with the patients and physicians to ensure quality patient care," said Alicia Williams, clinical supervisor for Parkview Warsaw's emergency department. "We advocate for patients and monitor the progress of a patient's status to ensure appropriate care is being given."
Williams also stresses the importance that Parkview places on providing excellent care to patients.
"Continuous education is provided to our nursing staff so they are able keep up with the evolving innovation and changes to practice. Our nurses know that communicating and involving the family is part of providing patient-centered care. We work closely with families and loved ones to ensure a closed loop of communication. Our nursing team strives to ensure the best outcome for each person that walks through our door."
“We are so proud of our healthcare providers,” said Randy Christophel, Goshen Health president and chief executive officer in a news release. “You show extraordinary compassion, courage and ingenuity in meeting the needs of our patients – especially during this difficult time. You are nothing short of heroes. We cannot say strongly enough how much we appreciate you and the excellent care you continue to deliver to our community.”
National Nurses Week helps highlight the work of those healthcare providers.
"It acknowledges the care that our nurses do," said Williams. "We may not hear it every day, but to have a week set aside to recognize our hard work and dedication is special. With all the work nurses do to take care of others, it is important to take care of them as well."
“Everyone needs to feel appreciated and when people feel appreciated, they will do a better job,” Johnson said.
Healey said it’s always nice to be thanked as nurses don’t always get that.
Fugate said this week to celebrate nurses is important, especially during the pandemic as medical staff are working to provide care for patients and families.
There will be events to celebrate the week.
Joy Lohse, director of marketing at KCH, said the hospital will do several things during National Nurses Week. She noted the hospital finds it very important to celebrate the week, saying the medical staff “are going above and beyond” in their care of patients.
There is a video put on www.lutheranhealth.net/nursesrock that shows pictures of nurses. There also will be posters throughout the facility about the week.
Tuesday will be Nightingale’s 200th birthday, so KCH will be having a special treats day to have a virtual birthday party celebration. Treats will be dropped off at each department throughout the day, Lohse said. Also, since nurses wash their hands constantly during their job, nurses will receive lotion and a gift bag during the week.
In 2017, Goshen Mayor Jeremy Stutsman honored Goshen Health and their nurses with a mayoral proclamation recognizing Nurses Week locally as May 6 to May 12 in Goshen. This year, he will renew the proclamation, according to the press release from Goshen Health.
In recognition of National Nurses' Week, Parkview will be posting stories and raising awareness of the work done by its nursing team on Parkview’s website and social media channels.
“We are extremely proud of its Magnet certified nursing staff,” according to information provided by Andrea Sullivan, community/media relations specialist, Parkview Whitley Hospital. “Parkview also celebrates nurses by acknowledging the hard work that each person puts towards delivering patient centered care. Each day, our nursing leaders will usually provide something special, such as a gift or a treat. What's important is that it's not just an individual nurse that is celebrated, but the entire team.”
