The second week of May is a time to give special recognition to the people who dedicate their lives to caring for others. We fully recognize that the last two years have been comparable to drinking water from a fire hose. We know our nurses are mentally and physically exhausted. They are a huge contributor to keeping our communities functioning and healthy. And for that, they deserve our respect, praise, and gratitude.
Each year in the U.S., National Nurses Week takes places May 6 – May 12. During this time, healthcare organizations honor the dedication and resilience of nurses across the field. Additionally, nationwide companies and brands tip their hats to nurses by offering freebies, giveaways, or special discounts on items like shoes, food and beverage, electronics and more.
Did you know there is also an International Nurses Day, which is celebrated on May 12? May 12 was chosen to spotlight nurses around the world because it is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Modern nursing today remains a result of Nightingale’s work and practices, and still influences how we treat infectious diseases.
No matter their location around the globe, nurses work tirelessly day in and day out to create the best possible health outcomes for their patients.
Looking for ways you can give back or learn more? Take a look below:
Nominate a Nurse for The DAISY Award
If you work alongside an extraordinary nurse, consider nominating them for The DAISY Award. The DAISY Award honors "the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day".
Send a Note
Sending a hand-written card of thanks is a great way to express gratitude to our healthcare heroes. Hallmark is partnering with healthcare organizations nationwide by offering a discount on packs of nurse and staff appreciation cards. Be sure to use code NURSES2022 at checkout.
Stories of Excellence
Do you want to learn about nurses all over the world, and how they’ve come together to make huge strides in healthcare? The International Council of Nurses (INC) published a compilation of case studies, submitted by nurses across the world to showcase the incredible range of innovative work nurses do every day.
National Nurses March
Nurses across the country have organized a National Nurses March. A Facebook group was created earlier this year, where more than 200,000 members have joined with several common goals in mind. Per the Facebook group, this group is “A peaceful lifting of our collective nurse voice in an effort to be heard on the following subjects”:
The National Nurses March is set to take place on Thursday, May 12 in Washington D.C. For more information about this organized event, please visit https://nationalnursesmarch.org/.
Nurses are with us at the very beginning of life (often during labor and childbirth), at the end of life (caring for elderly), and everywhere in between. This week, please make sure to thank a nurse for everything that they do to keep our communities well. We asked several LeaderStat travel nurses what they enjoy most about their careers. Here’s what they told us:
“I love working in the ER. I enjoy the variety of patients I am able to care for and unpredictability of the next patient that will be brought through the doors. I guess it’s the adrenaline rush that keeps me on my toes. I wouldn’t have it any other way!"
– Ashley H., ER Registered Nurse
”All aspects of nursing have become harder, especially this past year with COVID. Being in beautiful new places and embracing the different scenery helps me to be more patient, kind, and give more love to those who need it most. It’s been an exciting year where I’ve traveled on assignment from Texas to Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, and Maine. There are so many beautiful places to see. LeaderStat has been the best company and I’m very grateful.”
– Sheryl S., Licensed Practical Nurse
Our goal is to continue to be a trusted partner to nurses and healthcare leaders across the country by offering support, transparency, and continued career advancement opportunities.