Let’s celebrate crucial work done by nurses

Each year in May, America celebrates National Nurses Week, which culminates on May 12. That’s the birthday of Florence Nightingale, recognized as the founder of modern nursing.

The observance has its roots in the 1950s and has been celebrated in its current form since 1974.

It’s appropriate in any year to acknowledge the tremendous contributions nurses make to our health care. These dedicated people work around the clock to ensure that people get the care they need.

Whether they’re helping people through a routine doctor’s appointment, providing urgent care in a hospital or anything in between, nurses are absolutely essential. With an aging population putting more stress on the health care system, there’s a consistent need for people willing to serve in this challenging but rewarding profession.

Of course, this is not a normal year by any means. All of us are feeling stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the troubles associated with being stuck at home pale in comparison to what health care workers are dealing with today.

While most of us are being instructed to scrupulously avoid doing anything that could conceivably expose us to the coronavirus, nurses and their colleagues are in the thick of it. Like the first responders who are so often celebrated in our society, they are willing to take on danger instead of fleeing it.

Many have had to work while enduring shortages of personal protective equipment they need to do their job safely. Thousands of health care workers have contracted COVID-19 while on the job, and some have died. Yet their colleagues keep coming to work and do what’s required despite the risks

Nurses, who often are the ones who spend the most time with patients, are bearing a particularly big burden. In addition to attending to needs such as drawing blood and providing oxygen, they also are entrusted with the task of making sure patients are comfortable as possible. It’s especially challenging but crucial when critically ill patients’ loved ones are not allowed to be physically present.

The American Nurses Association didn’t know this was going to happen when they decided to extend this year’s celebration of nurses to the entire month of May rather than just a week. The theme the organization chose, appropriately enough, is “Nurses Make a Difference.”

Nurses certainly are making a difference, whether it’s during normal times or during a health crisis the likes of which few alive today have experienced.

Within the month the association is focusing on a series of themes.

The first week is devoted to self-care, ensuring that nurses pay sufficient attention to their own mental and physical health and that of their colleagues.

The second week is devoted to recognizing the accomplishment of heroes, leaders and innovators in the field.

The succeeding weeks will focus on professional development and community engagement.

That last item is particularly important. Though just about everyone deals with nurses at one time or another, not enough people understand just how much work is required just to become qualified for the occupation and the many difficult responsibilities associated with doing the job.

We urge readers to express gratitude toward nurses whenever they have the opportunity. And we encourage people who are so inclined to pursue a career in the field. This crisis eventually will end, but the need for health care professionals will continue. Our future depends on people with the smarts, courage and endurance to do this critical work.

So we thank our nurses along with the doctors and aides who are making so many sacrifices in the interest of public health. Let’s show them appreciation not just this week, this month or this year, but whenever possible. We’re confident a grateful community will be eager to do so.