On the football field, when a team is winning a lot of games, it’s often the quarterback who gets the glory.
That’s all good and well, but anyone who knows football, knows that no quarterback can succeed without a solid offensive line and competent receivers.
The healthcare field works a lot in the same way. Doctors tend to get a lot of the credit when things go well for patients, but any doctor will tell you they can’t be heroes without excellent nurses to keep the wheels of a hospital turning.
This week, May 6-12, is National Nurses Week and it’s the perfect time to take a second and thank all the men and women who have made careers helping others in their time of need.
National Nurses Week celebrates the effort, dedication, and sacrifice nurses make every day. Nurses are essential members of America’s healthcare workforce who provide care through every stage of life, working with patients at their most intimate and vulnerable moments.
At Highlands Cashiers Hospital, CEO Tom Neal is always first to thank the nursing staff when he talks about positive patient outcomes. Neal, who is himself a nurse and serves in a dual role as chief nursing officer, is acutely aware of what it takes to be a standout in the field.
This week there will be events and recognitions for the nurses at the hospital and the Eckerd Living Center. And even though one week is hardly enough time to personally thank every nurse, it provides a platform to discuss just how critical skilled nurses are to our healthcare system as a whole.
Nursing has always been a profession that needs more than just time and knowledge. Nursing requires heart, passion, and dedication to serving others. National Nurses Week allows the public to acknowledge and thank nurses for the work they choose to do every day.
This year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses,” perfectly embodies the irreplaceable value of nurses in keeping the nation healthy and thriving.
It’s a chance for us all to pause and thank the nurses who have made a difference in our lives. Many of us wouldn’t be here without them.