National Nurses Week 2017: Focusing on the Selfless Work of Nurses

^{“Bound by paperwork, short on hands, sleep, and energy…nurses are rarely short on caring.” — Sharon Hudacek, EdD, RN, ACNS-BC}

Nurses are arguably the hardest working individuals, coordinating and providing patient care in fast-paced shifts that often exceed twelve hours and don’t provide much down time. Yet their innate sense of compassion allows them to put aside their needs to ensure that patient care comes first. In 1991, to recognize the selfless commitment of nurses, the American Nurses Association (ANA) designated May 6 – 12 as National Nurses Week.

Honoring the Pioneer of Modern Nursing

Every year, this weeklong celebration of nursing coincides with International Nurses Day (May 12), in honor of Florence Nightingale who is considered the pioneer of modern nursing. Nightingale exemplified nurses’ unique combination of dedication and compassion when she and her corps of three dozen nurses tirelessly cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War in 1854. Upon leaving Crimea in 1856, Nightingale established a school for nurses and developed concepts and methods to ensure proper patient care, which were later documented in her book, Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is Not. Over a century later, nurses still follow policies that were built on the foundations that Nightingale laid.

Nursing: The Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit

Being a nurse often requires physical, mental, and emotional strength. In recognition of this, the ANA chose Nursing: The Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit as the theme of this year’s National Nurses Week. This theme highlights the importance of nurses’ health and well-being. Although nurses spend much of their time caring for patients, it’s important for them to take care of themselves as well.

We asked a few of our nursing partners to share their words of wisdom on finding a healthy balance of mind, body, and spirit. Here’s what they had to say: