We have all interacted with nurses during our lives—vaccinations, health checkups, surgeries, hospital stays, etc. In the 1860s, Britain’s Florence Nightingale focused the spotlight on the tireless efforts of nurses and transformed nursing into a respectable profession worldwide. Florence’s pioneering work during the Crimean War led to her establishing the first professional training school for nurses. She also inspired the founding of the International Red Cross.
Today in America, National Nurses Week (May 6-12) each year celebrates the contributions nurses make to our lives and communities. President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation setting aside May 6 as a National Recognition Day for Nurses. Approved by the American Nurses Association, May 6 is now the official National RN Recognition Day as part of National Nurses Week. May 12 is Florence Nightingale’s birthday and an appropriate day to conclude tributes to the healthcare career that she helped protect and flourish.
National Nurses Day celebrations and receptions across the United States invite medical employers, co-workers, patients, family members and friends to honor the country’s nearly 2.8 million nurses. Ways to show a nurse appreciation include:
- Luncheons and banquets
- State and city proclamations
- Gifts and gift cards
- Flowers and baked goods
- Personal notes and cards of appreciation
- Contributions to a health-related charity in a nurse’s name
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses work in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctor offices, schools, correctional facilities and in-home care companies like Right at Home. Check with your local Right at Home office, area nurse associations, hospitals and doctor offices for celebrations you can participate in to honor the invaluable nurses in your life.
What can you do the first week of May to honor America’s nurses?
Other Nurses of Right at Home:
- Kristin Weisenborn, Carolyn Walsh, and Brittani Haley of Right at Home of South Shore
- Kristen Tajima of Right at Home of La Jolla and Mission Valley
- Carol Brohmer, owner of Sonoma and Napa Counties
- Heather Armstrong and Robin Affonso of Right at Home of Sonoma and Napa Counties
- Sara Miller of Right at Home of Metro West
- Stacey Ellis of Right at Home of Albany, New York
- Katrin Florence Wilson of Right at Home of Hackettstown-Newton
- Patti Carpenter and Debra Ann Taglianetti of Right at Home of North Shore Long Island
- Arleen Oshiro and Terra Conejo-Pleng of Right at Home Northwest Orange County
- See our Infusion Nurse at work (Right at Home of Seattle and Eastside)
An award-winning journalist who has documented stories in nearly 20 countries, Beth Lueders is an author, writer and speaker who frequently reports on diverse topics, including aging and health issues for both U.S. and international corporations.