For every nurse, a hero true,
In every word, in all you do,
Thank you for your endless care,
Your light shines bright, beyond compare.
National Nurses Week,we cheer and sing,
For you, dear nurses, our hearts take wing,
Your dedication makes our spirits ring,
In your embrace, healing’s sweet spring.
Let’s celebrate Nurses Week by going down memory lane on its history.
It all started in 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland of the United States Department of Health sent a proposal to the president to proclaim “nurses day” in October. The proclamation was never made.
In the following year 1954, the nurses week was observed from October 11th-16th, this marked the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. Representative Francis P. Bolton sponsored the bill for a nurses week. Apparently a bill for national nurses week was introduced in 1955 but no action was taken. Congress discontinued its practice of joint resolutions for national weeks of various kinds.
A resolution was presented again in 1972 by the house of representatives for the president to proclaim “National Registered Nurse Day” but, It did not occur. In January 1974, the international council of nurses(ICN) proclaimed that May 12, being the birthday of Florence Nightingale, would be “International Nurse Day”.
Since 1965, the ICN has celebrated “International Nurse Day”. In February of that year, 1965, a week was designated by the white house as National Nurses Week and president Nixon issued a proclamation.
The New Jersey Governor in 1978 Brendon Byrne declared May 6 as “Nurses Day.” Edward Scanlan, of Red Bank, New Jersey, took up the cause to perpetuate the recognition of nurses in his state. Mr. Scanlan had this date listed in Chase’s Calendar of Annual Events. He promoted the celebration on his own.
In 1981, the American Nurses Association, along with various nursing organization, rallied to support a resolution initiated by nurses in New Mexico, through their Congressman, Manuel Lujan, to have May 6, 1982, established as “National Recognition Day for Nurses.”
In February 1982, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors formally acknowledged May 6, 1982 as “National Nurses Day.” The action affirmed a joint resolution of the United States Congress designating May 6 as “National Recognition Day for Nurses. The president Roland signed a proclamation on March 25, proclaiming “National Recognition Day for Nurses” to be May 6, 1982.
In 1990, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors expanded the recognition of nurses to a week-long celebration, declaring May 6 – 12, 1991, as National Nurses Week.
And in 1993, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors designated May 6th-12th as permanent dates to observe National Nurses Week in 1994 and in all subsequent years.
In 1996-1997, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors initiated the recognition of “National Registered Nurses Day” on May 6 and designated May 8 as “National Student Nurses Day” at the request of the National Student Nurses Association.
The history of “Nurses week” began over 70 years ago, with a hard and lengthy battle of over 40 years in order to get nurses the recognition that they deserve.
At Vitalis HealthCare, we pride ourselves in providing the best quality care vital to the health and well-being of our patients. We create an environment that allows our staff flourish and put their best service forward, we recognize the important role every health professional plays in the lives of patients, managing and transforming their health and overall well-being
If you’re a professional caregiver or a certified nursing assistant who shares our belief in the power of health care, then we want to hear from you. Join our team and be part of a community that prioritizes not only the well-being of our clients but also the fulfilment and growth of our caregivers.
Together, let’s make a difference, one caring gesture at a time. Join Vitalis home health care today and let your passion for caregiving flourish in a supportive environment.
Phone Number: 240.716.6874
Email: info@vitalishealthcare.com
Location: We provide our services in every county in the State of Maryland, United States of America.
Office Address: 8757 Georgia Avenue Suite 440 Silver Spring, MD 20910
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