Nurse practice standards in 1887 required each nurse to sweep, mop and dust their wards as part of their daily duties. They also were responsible for such things as retrieving scuttles of coal and filling, cleaning and trimming the wicks of kerosene lamps.
Times have changed, but not the principles behind those regulations. Whether it’s a scuttle of coal or managing ventilators in an ICU, nurses have always worked to, as Florence Nightingale said, “put the patient in the best condition for nature to act upon him.” The hours are long, and the work is demanding.
And so, through the efforts of individuals, nursing organizations, and lawmakers, May 6-12 has come to be known as National Nurses Week. The week ends on Nightingale’s birthday. It’s uncertain whether the no-nonsense, quintessentially practical founder of modern nursing would approve of the frivolity of a weeklong celebration. Nevertheless, it’s a chance to honor and celebrate these professionals.
Of course, not all nurses – for example, CIMRO’s team of RNs – are called to the bedside. But, we can all work in the theme of this year’s National Nurses Week: “Nurses make the difference.”
And on May 8, we can tip our caps to student nurses and school nurses on their special day.
Finally: How long does it take a nurse to change a light bulb? Answer: 30 seconds to change it and 30 minutes to chart it.
Bachelor's degree at Grand Canyon University
1moWell done!