Nurse Week

Nurses Week begins this year on May 8th and ends on May 14th. May 8th was designated as National Student Nurse Day, which is celebrated annually now. National School Nurse day is the Wednesday that falls during Nurse Week.

In 1953 Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to the president, Eisenhower, to proclaim “Nurse Day” in October of the following year. The proclamation however was never made. A bill for a National Nurse week was introduced to Congress in 1955 but nothing became of it. The 1972 a resolution was once again presented by the House of Representatives for the President to proclaim “National Registered Nurse Day” however it did not occur. Finally in 1982 Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation on March 25 to proclaim “National Recognition Day for Nurses” to be May 6, 1982.

So this upcoming Nurses week think of all the things a nurse has done for you or maybe somebody you know. They did it unselfishly and without asking anything in return, not just because it is their job. They can help in difficult situations whether you are in the hospital or another health care related facility. Acknowledge them and let them know their commitment and hard work is appreciated this week, and maybe when you get into a situation with a nurse who is more than helpful thank them in the moment.