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5 Reasons to Thank a Nurse. National Nurses Week is May 6-12.

Nursing is a noble profession that is not for the faint of heart. Nurses face risks and challenges in their job each day, and their courage and patients should be celebrated.

In 1993, the American Nurses Association declared May 6-12 as the national week to honor and elevate the nursing profession. National Nurses Week is a time for everyone to recognize the positive impact and vast contributions millions of nurses make to our communities. Each year, the celebration ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

At FirstLight Home Care, we have dozens of reasons to thank a nurse for their hard work and dedication. Here are five of our favorites:

  1. Nurses are brave. They are on the front lines every day. Nurses are the unsung heroes who take care of us without the expectation of reward. They stay calm in emergencies and they serve those who are ill with compassion, imagination, tenacity, care, and even a little humor.
  1. They listen and answer questions. Part of the nursing assessment is to understand the patient’s situation and how it impacts their health. Nurses actively listen to ensure they deliver quality care specific to the individual. Their medical knowledge is boundless and they’re ready to answer a patient’s questions in order to help with their recovery.
  1. They are patient advocates. Nurses help patients make informed decisions regarding their health, including helping them navigate a complex medical system, translating medical terms and helping to make ethical decisions. The American Nurses Association (ANA) provides this definition of nursing practice: “The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.”
  1. They support patients’ families. When a family member becomes ill, it impacts the entire family. Nurses understand this and provide family-centered care. They form relationships and provide communication and collaboration in order to address the emotional, physical, and psychological affect family members have on the patient and his or her outcome.
  1. They work long shifts. Traditional 8-hour shifts for nurses is a thing of the past. Nurses typically work 12-hours shifts, and these longer shifts can be emotionally and physically draining. They’re often on their feet the entire time, and according to one study from Nurses.org, the average nurse walks over three miles in one shift. They do all this while keeping patient care front and center.

It is indisputable. Nurses are amazing! They work hard to provide the best care for people when they need it the most. It is important to thank and recognize nurses during National Nurses Week, but we should acknowledge their dedication and service to our health and wellbeing every day.

FirstLight Home Care is proud to know and work alongside some incredible nurses. If you know an amazing nurse, share your story in a comment below, or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

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