Every year, from May 6 to May 12, we celebrate National Nurses Week. This is a time to honor and appreciate the hard work, dedication and compassion of our nurses. Nurses serve in crucial roles throughout our health care system, providing compassionate care to patients and families when they need it most.
The evergreen theme of National Nurses Week is “Nurses Make a Difference,” and it’s evergreen because it’s always true. Nurses make a difference in the lives of their patients every day by providing comfort and reassurance and listening to their patients, day in and day out. Our nurses make a difference in our communities by working to promote healthy lifestyles, bringing people together and caring more.
National Nurses Week is a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation for these dedicated professionals, but it’s also a time to reflect on the challenges that nurses face and to support them in their work.
Nursing is a stressful career. Whether it’s working challenging shifts, treating patients who are critically ill or managing complex medical procedures, our nurses showcase their resilience. They are often the first and last people that patients encounter and the ones who make sure that patients are comfortable and informed throughout their treatment. They work long hours, often sacrificing time with their own families and friends, even on holidays. They are at the heart of Ascension’s mission to provide compassionate care, and we could not deliver the high-quality care our patients deserve without our nurses.
Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast is committed to supporting our nurses and listening to their needs. That’s why we provide free and flexible ongoing training and development opportunities to help our nurses grow professionally and advance their careers. Our nurses have access to nursing career coaches and nursing opportunities throughout our national network.
We offer competitive salaries, sign-on bonuses and benefits to ensure that our nurses feel valued and appreciated. Most importantly, we ensure our culture is one that celebrates differences, encourages collaboration and empowers our nurses to make their voices central to transforming health care.
We encourage everyone in our communities to show their appreciation for nurses during National Nurses Week, and there are many ways to get involved and show your support. Thank a nurse for their hard work and dedication with a personal note or a shout-out on social media; a simple "thank you" can go a long way in showing nurses that their work is recognized. Another way to show your support is remembering that nurses face a great deal of stress and that the way we interact with them has the ability to affect their stress levels immensely. Thoughtful and respectful interaction with these critical caretakers is the least we can do to show our admiration for the service they provide for our communities.
Thank you to all of our nurses for your essential contributions and the unwavering dedication to your craft. Happy National Nurses Week!
