How communities can recognize nurses

The vital role nurses play in health care settings across the globe was perhaps never more apparent than in recent months. When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, nurses were on the front lines in the battle against the virus, and have remained there ever since.

In recognition of the sacrifices nurses and other health care workers have made to help the sick, individuals across the globe have placed signs in their yards thanking essential workers. In addition, many more have taken to social media to highlight the lengths individual nurses have gone to while helping them or their loved ones who caught the virus or fought other illnesses. Communities can follow such individuals’ lead by making collective efforts to thank the nurses who call their towns and cities home.

PARTICIPATE IN THE YUMA ADOPT-A-NURSE PROGRAM

To support our nurses during the COVID pandemic, the city of Yuma launched Adopt-a-Nurse Yuma, an initiative to pool local resources to provide meals and other encouragement efforts for our city’s healthcare workers.

Yumans can participate by making a donation, dropping off a thank-you card or simply thanking the health care workers they encounter. Local businesses can sponsor the program by providing meals, water or other items.

Find more information on the City of Yuma website at http://www.yumaaz. gov/Adopt-A-Nurse,. The website includes a link for how to make a donation, as well as where to drop off cards and information about other gestures you can make to support our hard-working healthcare professionals!

ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO LEND A HELPING HAND

The work frontline medical workers have done during the pandemic has been endless and exhausting. In recognition of that, community organizers can promote volunteer programs designed to lift some of the burden off local health care workers’ shoulders. Local hospitals, blood banks and health centers may need volunteers, year on May 6 and ends on May 12. Though nurses. For example, students from all and this is a great way for local residents National Nurses Week is not a federal hol- grades can work on a banner thanking to show health care workers their efforts iday, communities can still come togeth- nurses and then showcase the banner by are appreciated. er during the week to highlight the work the entryway to campus so passing motorists their local nurses do. Township or other can see it. local officials can encourage businesses in Communities can work together on a the community to offer special discounts variety of collective efforts aimed at recognizing to nurses during the week, while schools the extraordinary efforts made by can take part in collective efforts to thank local nurses every day.

CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS THAT HONOR NURSES AS A COMMUNITY

The American Nurses Association notes that National Nurses Week begins each