NEWS

The work of America’s 2.9 million registered nurses to save lives and to maintain the health of millions of individuals is the focus of this year’s National Nurses Week, celebrated annually May 6-12 throughout the United States.

Louisiana Tech’s Student Nursing Association has already gotten into the promotional spirit, associate professor of Tech’s School of Nursing, Beth Fife, said.

“The Student Nurses Association gave gifts to all the faculty members Wednesday in honor of the first day of the week,” Fife said. “They also put out a PowerPoint display outside our offices to help promote National Nurses week. The (Tech’s Prescott Memorial) library has helped, too – they’re putting a promotional display in one of their windows.”

This year, the American Nurses Association has selected “Nurses: Building a Healthy America” as the theme for 2009. The ANA supports and encourages National Nurses Week recognition programs through the state and district nurses associations, other specialty nursing organizations, educational facilities, and independent health care companies and institutions.

Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as registered nurse Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession.

In honor of National Nurses Week and RN Recognition Day, registered nurses around the country are encouraged to wear the official “RN Pin,” which can be purchased by calling 1-800-445-0445. In addition to wearing the RN Pin, nurses were asked to dress in uniform on May 6.

ANA, through its 54 constituent member associations, advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting economic and general welfare, promoting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and lobbying Congress and the regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest health care profession, are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding health care needs of American society.

“We’re going to end our celebration later this month,” Fife said. “All the nurses in our district will get together and we’ll all go out to dinner together.”

Written by Scott Boatright