It could not be more timely that the World Health Organization designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwives on the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Nurses have been and will continue to be the frontline in the pandemic providing vital services to patients, families, and communities.
Florence Nightingale was a English social reformer, statistician, and founder of modern nursing. Nurse’s Day is celebrated on May 12 because it is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. In her book “Notes on Nursing: What it is and What is Not” published in 1860, gave the world a handbook for taking care of the sick. “Every nurse ought to be careful to wash her hands very frequently during the day. If her face too, so much the better” is a quote from her book. This holds true even now.
Nursing is the largest occupational group in the healthcare sector. There have been many changes in the health care industry. What does not change is the level of compassions, strength, and dedication that nurses provide to their patients every day. Florence would be proud of today's nurses!
The article, “Nursing school grads yearn to join fight,” in the May 17, 2020 Sunday Republican newspaper described the critical and valued role of nurisng in this COVID-19 pandemic and the health of the Pioneer Valley.
Jean Walachy RN BSN, Holyoke