Celebrating nurses

This past week we celebrated nurses with National Nurses Week.

Working in a detox center for many years, I worked side by side with these amazing individuals.

I can honestly say one week is not enough time to celebrate nurses.

The hours they put in, the sacrifices they make, and the care they give are immeasurable.

Many professions are recognized throughout the year. A few of my favorites being first responders and teachers.

But nurses hold a special place for me.

I’ve written articles before on the many admirable traits of nurses, so I thought it might be interesting to talk a little about the history of the honor week and its most celebrated nurse, Florence Nightingale.

May 6 marks the beginning of National Nurses Week. It was first observed in 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s mission to Crimea.

The week ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Nurses worldwide celebrate this day as International Nurses Day.

Nightingale is recognized as the mother of modern nursing.

One of Nightingale’s many accomplishments was emphasizing the importance of sanitation and hand washing to target eliminating hospital-acquired infection.

She also introduced other concepts that are currently used such as the mind-body connection, plant therapy, and pet therapy.

Nightingale was known for making nightly rounds in the dark to check on the ill and wounded.

She was known as “the lady with the lamp” as she made these rounds.

Nurses are indeed special.

Be sure and take the time to thank them for their services.

They truly are aptly described as angels of mercy.

Also a heartfelt thank you to a group of people who are nurses, chefs, maids, counselors, and the list goes on and on.

Mothers.

Happy Mothers Day.

Love and appreciate them.

Honor them.

It has been written that they are God’s indispensable gift.

Amen.

See you out there.