By the time you read this, National Nurses Week 2007 will probably be over. The week of celebrating and thanking nurses begins on May 6 and concludes on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.1 Registered nurses (RNs) are the largest group of healthcare professionals in the United States. There are an estimated 2.7 to 2.9 million RNs in the United States. Despite these huge numbers, there is still a nursing shortage, which is predicted to only grow worse. At the present time, there is a shortage of 150,000 RNs.1,2
National Nurses Week is a great time to express gratitude for all the hard work nurses do everyday. Our work is rewarding and challenging but can be difficult at times. We all have bad days when working at a flower shop seems infinitely better, but the good days far outweigh the bad. We must be prepared to meet the challenges of the future while dealing with the present.
As I thought about National Nurses Week for this column, I wanted to do something a little different from the usual expressions of gratitude for nurses. I already express my gratitude everyday for the work of critical care nurses and other healthcare providers. I wondered about the history of National Nurses Week and was surprised to discover that it was first celebrated in 1954.3 Here is a brief history of National Nurses Week2,3:
1953: Dorothy Sutherland with the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare asked for a proclamation for a nurses' day from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was not granted.
1954: The first National Nurses Week was held in October, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's work in the Crimean War.
1955: A second attempt made to officially recognize National Nurses Week was sent to the US Congress and was denied.
1972: A third attempt to fain a proclamation from Congress was again denied.
1974: The International Council of Nurses designated May 12 as "International Nurses Day." May 12 is Florence Nightingale's birthday. Later in 1974, President Nixon issued the much-deserved proclamation.
1981: The American Nurses Association lobbied the representatives of Congress, which designed May 6 as "National Recognition Day for Nurses."
1982: The American Nurses Association formally recognized May 6 as National Nurses Day. Finally, a joint resolution from the US Congress was granted.
1990: The American Nurses Association expanded National Nurses Day to National Nurses Week. This is celebrated May 6 to 12.
Many festivities are conducted during National Nurses Week to thank the tireless efforts and work by nurses. Many of you probably attended a reception or a dinner to honor nurses. Some agencies place advertisements in local newspapers or professional publications acknowledging their RNs. There may be signs and posters at your place of employment. Some of you may receive gifts of appreciation from patients, employees, family, and friends. My husband always sends flowers. Now does he send them because he truly appreciates nurses or is just afraid of what I will do if he does not send the flowers, I do not know.
I propose we celebrate nurses all year long. Nurses have critical roles in healthcare. We are the largest group of healthcare providers. We make a difference everyday. Take time to recognize a nurse everyday. A simple compliment and a pat on the back can make all the difference. It does not have to be a large formal occasion to recognize our efforts. Yes, a nice dinner and gifts are good, but a simple recognition of the work you do can be fulfilling. Simply saying things like, "You handled that difficult situation well" or "Thank you for helping with this," can work wonders for one's ego. Take the time every day to recognize the efforts of a colleague, not just National Nurses Week. I thank you for your hard work and tireless efforts for this noble profession.
Vickie A Miracle, RN, EdD, CCRN, CCNS, CCRC
Editor-in-Chief, DCCN and Lecturer
Bellarmine University
School of Nursing
Louisville, KY
[email protected]
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