It is the 50th anniversary of National Nurses Week. After many years of seeking recognition for the value and contributions nurses bring to health care, President Nixon finally declared it official in 1974. Nurses are there when one enters the world and quite often when one leaves this world.
Most everyone’s life has been touched by a nurse. There are over 4 million registered nurses in the United States. Nurses are indispensable in the health care system. The definition of nursing, per the American Nurses Association, is “the integration of the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alleviation of suffering through compassionate presence. Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations in recognition of the connection of all humanity.”
That is a heavy load to carry, along with the technical medical care they deliver. Nursing has had an uphill battle for recognition of the profession. The history of Nurses Day and Nurses Week reflects this.
In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, sent a proposal to President Eisenhower to proclaim a Nurse Day in October. A proclamation was never made. In 1954, National Nurse Week was observed in October. This marked the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. In 1972, another request was sent to the president. It did not happen.
In 1974, the International Council of Nurses proclaimed May 12 as International Nurses Day. May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Later that year, President Nixon issued a proclamation of National Nurse Week.
In 1982, the ANA acknowledged May 6 as National Nurses Day. Congress designated it as “National Recognition Day for Nurses” and President Reagan signed a proclamation. In 1990, the ANA expanded it to a week-long celebration. In 1996, it was amended to National RN Recognition Day.
Nurses truly deserve this recognition and more. Given the many “national days” celebrated, it is surprising it took so long to attain this acknowledgment. Looking up what national day is celebrated on the day I’m writing this, May 9, I found it is National Moscato Day and National Lost Sock Memorial Day. It is also National Home Front Heroes Day, Alphabet Magnet Day, Sleepover Day and Butterscotch Brownie Day. Some accolades are clearly more deserved than others.
The pandemic weighed heavily on the nursing profession. Nurses faced excessive workloads along with physical, mental and emotional challenges. Many left their jobs. Now, more than ever, they need to know they are valued.
The ANA requests that people reach out to a nurse and “express gratitude and support for their capability and fortitude. Let’s show our appreciation for these extraordinary professionals.” They ANA is illuminating the spirit of nursing excellence by lighting up landmarks across the country in honor of National Nurses Week. Their campaign of #NursesLightUpTheSky is designed to rally citizens across the country in support of nurses.
Make time and effort this week and all year long to show gratitude to a nurse. Happy Nurses Week to all my nursing colleagues and every nurse out there. I respect and appreciate each and everyone of you.
“It would not be possible to praise nurses too highly.” — Stephen Ambrose
Take care of yourself and someone else.
Juanita Carnes is a Westfield resident and a nurse practitioner with 38 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Westfield Board of Health.
