National Nurses Week Resources

A Brief History of Nurses Week

National Nurses Day, also known as National RN Recognition Day, is always celebrated on May 6th and opens National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, the birth date of Florence Nightingale.

The history of Nurses Day can be traced back to 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower to proclaim a "Nurse Day" in October of the following year. The proclamation was never made, but the following year National Nurses Week was observed from October 11 – 16, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea. For a brief history of Nurses Week, click here.

All nurses are inspired at the start of their career, but over time, the stresses of the job can overwhelm their sense of purpose. Leaders that help nurses re-connect—in turn, see their organizations thrive. Take a minute to read the blog: The RN Renewal Plan: Why It's So Important To Help Nurses Reignite Their Passion for Helping Others.

	Rich Bluni, RN Studer Group National Speaker, Coach, and Author of Inspired Nurse It's as important for us to nurture ourselves as it is to nurture our patients, our colleagues or those we lead and teach. Taking the time to tap back into this calling will help us to provide the best possible care to those we serve. As a nurse, you get to share in some of the most joyful times in people's lives and ease their pain in the toughest times. You do wonderful work. Rich wrote Inspired Nurse to help nurses renew passion and reconnect to the difference they make. INSPIRED NURSE: A FREE on-demand webinar to celebrate Nurses Week! Kick off National Nurses Week by joining author Rich Bluni, RN, for an action-oriented session available May 6th. The on-demand webinar can be viewed any day and any time throughout 2009.
	Jackie Gaines Studer Group Expert Coach and Speaker Jackie is a high performing Senior Executive with a progressive career encompassing more than 25 years of sustained leadership and accomplishments with major health systems and organizations. With passion, creative energy and vision, she motivates diverse groups of people toward success. To see Jackie Gaines present on Work-Life Blend in Healthcare, register for a FREE Work-Life Blend and Healthcare webinar.
	Bob Murphy, RN, Esq., FACHE As the former administrator of Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL, Bob led this 492-bed hospital to the 99th percentile in patient satisfaction for eight consecutive years. As a national speaker for Studer Group he shares leadership practices learned from his 25 years in healthcare that included roles as diverse as hospital administrator, nurse and risk manager.

READ HOW OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE CELEBRATING NURSES WEEK:

Woodward Regional Hospital in Woodward, Oklahoma is selling carnations for $1 and delivering them to the unit as they work. The money raised will go towards a scholarship for employee nursing education. Also, the mayor will make a proclamation and one of their state senators will visit to speak about health care at lunch along with a silent auction to raise additional money for nursing education.

Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, IA has a full week of activities planned that include Nursing Olympics. Those who receive the highest scores in the games receive the coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze Stethoscope Awards. Olympic activities include a timed race using Nursing Staff electronic communication devices, a flower pot decorating contest that represents the different units, a free throw and dunking contest using non-traditional hoop items more familiar to nursing staff and also provide an opportunity for staff to attend a motivational speaking engagement. Nurse's Week activities are coordinated by their Nursing Excellence in Action Together (NEAT) Team.

Click here for 20 additional "Suggestions on How to Celebrate National Nurses Week" on the American Nurses Assocation website.

Read shared nurse stories of inspiration and hope:

• A Nurse with a Mother's Heart
• A Story of Love and Compassion
• Family Time
• Profound Moments
• and many more