National Nurses Week is celebrated between May 6, National Nurses Day, and May 12, the birthdate of celebrated nurse Florence Nightingale.
Nurses Week is May 6 - 12, 2023
From assisting with unexpected emergencies to delivering babies and caring for patients in their final moments, nurses are providing health care at every stage of life, even the ones that are unplanned. They are often the first face a patient sees and the one they remember the most. Five of the metro’s largest health care systems are joining together to recognize all of the incredible nurses in the state of Oklahoma.
National Nurses Week is celebrated between May 6, National Nurses Day, and May 12, the birthdate of celebrated nurse Florence Nightingale. It is designed to honor the contributions and sacrifices nurses make and to highlight the critical role they play in our community.
“Nurses are an integral part of health care, whether in our hospitals, clinics or elsewhere. The work and healing of health care would not and could not take place without them,” declares Kerri Bayer, system chief nurse executive for INTEGRIS Health. “The knowledge, wisdom, caring, comfort and human touch they bring to all patients is irreplaceable. Despite all the advances we have seen in technology and will continue to see, the best of health care still comes down to one to one human interaction.”
Nurses are on the frontlines of medical care. They monitor patients sometimes around the clock, administer medication and assess the effectiveness of treatment. They understand the complexities and implications of an illness or injury and alert physicians of any red flags or other concerns. Nurses are a patient’s greatest advocate. “Nurses spend the most time with patients, getting to know them and their families on a personal level which can lead to a greater understanding of an issue or situation. Such insight can be crucial to a patient’s care and progress,” said Elain Richardson, regional chief nurse executive for SSM Health Oklahoma. “Nurses also provide invaluable emotional support. They counsel patients and families through everything from understanding a chronic condition to coping with death and dying. Their medical knowledge combined with exceptional people skills provide much comfort and stability to families during difficult and trying times.”
This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During the pandemic, nurses often played dual roles. They were not only caregivers to their patients, they were also their support system,” explains Brittni McGill, the chief nursing officer at Norman Regional Health System. “Nurses became the liaison between patients and their families at home. Nurses heroic actions were highlighted during the pandemic and nurses are still providing that lifesaving care with compassion. This week is the perfect time to thank a nurse and recognize their contributions.”
But ask any nurse and they will tell you that nursing is not a profession, it’s a calling. “Nurses are a special breed of people. We think differently because we have to process things so quickly, we’re problem solvers, innovators but we’re also lifelong learners,” says Stefanie Beavers, chief nurse executive at OU Health. “Medicine is constantly changing, so nurses have to stay up to date on their education and keep current on medical best practices and evidence-based care. Science is always evolving – and so are we.”
The nationwide nursing shortage is putting a strain on our local hospitals as well, so the five major health systems in the metro are using National Nurses Week as an opportunity to recruit the nurses of tomorrow. “More than 100 years have passed since Florence Nightingale cared for her patients, but many of the same qualities of hard work and holistic care she once exhibited are shared by nurses today,” said Karyl James, regional chief nursing officer and community vice president of nursing for Mercy in Oklahoma. “Nurses are the backbone of health care. Through their sacrifices, our patients and their families receive compassionate care and healing.”
At INTEGRIS Health, Norman Regional Health System, Mercy, OU Health and SSM Health we appreciate each and every one of our nurses for their consistent resiliency, dedication and commitment. You play a vital role in the success of our hospitals and our ability to provide world-class care. We know many of you give up your nights, weekends and holidays to care for our patients. It is this selflessness that we applaud not only during National Nurses Week, but every day of every year.
