“To do what nobody else will do, a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through; that is to be a nurse.” — Rawsi Williams
Nurses are unsung heroes of our healthcare system. National Nursing Week is a way for us to honour the vital roles that both Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses play in keeping our communities healthy.
This year’s National Nursing Week takes place from May 11 – 17 with the theme of Nurses: A Voice to Lead — Nursing the World to Health. As we find ourselves in the midst of a global health pandemic, it is hard to imagine a more appropriate theme.
Hundreds of Practical Nurse and Bachelor of Science in Nursing students have graduated from College of the Rockies over the years, many of whom now work in hospitals, community settings, and care homes in our region. Even when we’re not experiencing a health crisis, nurses, and their healthcare colleagues, are willing to risk their own health to help keep our communities safe. They’re like stethoscope-toting super heroes!
Our Dean of Health and Human Services, Heather Hepworth, agrees. “Our nurses are a vital resource for keeping our communities healthy, each and every day,” she said. “As we experience the COVID-19 pandemic, their role as part of the overall healthcare team becomes even more crucial, and increasingly more challenging. We’re proud to have helped educate many of the nurses helping on the front lines in our communities and look forward to welcoming new students into this rewarding profession.”
This National Nursing Week, as they work tirelessly to keep us all healthy, take a moment to think of what our healthcare system would be like without our nurses. Then consider taking part in the East Kootenay Foundation for Health’s White Heart Project, and let our nurses, and other healthcare professionals, know how grateful you are for the tremendous sacrifice they are making.
Stay safe.