CELEBRATE NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MAY 8-MAY 14, 2020 23
BY ISABELLE BOUSQUETTE
National Nurses Week
takes place from May 6 to
May 12. It’s a week each year
to honor the commitment,
dedication and hard work of
those in the nursing profession.
This year, honoring our
nurses is more important
than ever. They are risking
their lives on the front line
every day, helping fight the
coronavirus pandemic. The
American Nurses Association
and the World Health
Organization have already
declared 2020 to be the global
“Year of the Nurse.” So this
week, take a moment to celebrate
nurses in Queens and
around the world.
History of National Nurses
Week
We’ve celebrated National
Nurses Week since 1954.
The first National Nurses
Week occurred in October
and commemorated the hundredth
anniversary of Florence
Nightingale’s work in
Crimea. Nightingale was a
famous British nurse who
fought to improve conditions
for the sick and whose
advocacy set the standard
for modern nursing today.
In 1854, she traveled to the
frontline of the Crimean War
where she selflessly tended
to wounded soldiers.
In 1982, President Reagan
declared May 6 National
Recognition Day for Nurses.
Then, in 1990, the American
Nurses Association extended
that day into a week of celebrations,
culminating on
Nightingale’s birthday on
May 12.
How to Celebrate National
Nurses Week
In the past, this has been
a week to honor nurses with
banquets, seminars and celebrations.
Now, those types
of gatherings are impossible
at a moment when nurses are
most in need of acknowledgement
and encouragement.
Still, there are other ways
to celebrate National Nurses
Week. Check them out below:
Empty Your Purse to Feed a
Nurse
Since late March, Ruby’s
Cafe has been bringing
meals to nurses and doctors
working long shifts. They
are serving hospitals all over
the city, but are struggling to
meet demand. By donating to
their GoFundMe page, you
help them in their quest to
provide healthcare workers
with high-quality hot meals.
Send Coffee and Gratitude
to Long Island Nurses
Pipeline Coffee in Long Island
has decided to give back
to their community with the
#PoweredbyPipeline movement.
They donate freshly
brewed coffee to local doctors
and nurses. They want
to show their appreciation
for “superheroes in scrubs”
by “keeping their cups full
and their spirits up.” You can
contribute by donating to
their Venmo (@pipeline-Rvc
or @pipeline-wantagh).
Give a Nurse a Shoutout
Take a moment to write
a social media post about a
nurse who inspires you. You
can share it on Facebook or
Twitter. Alternatively, you
can send it to the Australian
College of Nursing’s virtual
Inspiration Wall. They are
collecting stories and shoutouts
about nurses that have
been important in people’s
lives and using them to create
one big wall of positivity.
Send a Card to Local Nurses
For a small donation, New
York Presbyterian will send
a card on your behalf to a
nurse at the hospital. You
can direct your card to a
specific nurse or to a team
at the hospital. You can also
add a personalized message
to let NYC’s healthcare heroes
know you’re thinking of
them!
Head to Florence Nightingale’s
200th Birthday Party
(on Zoom)!
Florence Nightingale
would’ve turned 200 this
year! So to celebrate nurses
around the world you are invited
to join her Zoom birthday
party on May 12. There
are three separate parties
to accommodate those in
various time zones. Nurses
will be able to meet others in
their profession and share inspirational
stories with each
other about working during
the COVID-19 crisis.
/QNS.COM
